When I was recently flipping through old albums with a friend (ah, college reminiscing…) I was seriously shocked and majorly grossed out by my grade school, dorm and first-apartment decor (not to mention my taste in clothing). And I’m pretty sure it’ll have you guys reeling too. Especially since most people think I’m the super neat folds-my-underwear type (fyi, I ball ’em up like everyone else). Ok, are you ready? This is my bedroom in 8th grade:
Granted you’ll have to look past my high-waisted airbrushed winking jeans (yes the other cheek featured an eye that was open), tie-dyed shirt and scrunchie. I have no defense. Except that I was born and raised in New Jersey and I got those jeans custom made “down the shore” and thought they were all artsy and cool. Yeah, I might severely regret posting this picture on the internet, huh? But let’s stop hysterically laughing and look at the background for a moment. Growing up I always wanted to be an artist so I guess it’s no surprise that I painted clouds on my closet doors and rejected crisp white trim for something a little more unexpected.
It should also be noted that I did all these DIY projects when my mom was working late so she’d come home to find my masterpieces (she was pretty good at feigning pride instead of horror, I’d give her a C+). So we can tell from the painted trim and closet doors that I’d grow up to love paint (check). But what does the beanbag in the corner and the stuffed animal hammock mean? Well I have floor pillows in the sunroom and a big hammock in the woods behind our house so maybe there’s a loose correlation. And we’re not even going to go into the seal poster. Not Seal the singer, an actual baby seal. Maybe that evolved into my love of white ceramic animals? Hmm.
And then there’s my freshman dorm room at FIT in NYC (holla). I’m super proud of my New York art school resume but I can’t say the same thing about my room. Sheesh.
If you look beyond the Slim Shady poster (again, I have no defense) and the fact that I apparently used to write on photos (hence the “room #1” label in pen above my bed), you’ll see a few interesting items like my denim bedding (yup I sewed a blanket with a bunch of old pairs of jeans that I saved up for years) and my fish shower curtain that I hung on the wall (I thought it was mural-like at the time, and I actually think if it went wall to wall it would have been amazing… for a dorm room). I also created a faux-crown molding effect all around the room with those free postcards you find next to bathrooms in NYC bars. I’m a total weirdo, huh? Maybe it was foreshadowing for this artistic crown molding creation years later…
But at least I was starting to repurpose things (something that definitely still makes me giddy)- and it’s a trend that continued in my very first solo apartment in Brooklyn (can you believe at 20 I was living alone in Brooklyn?):
Can you tell what happened to my beloved denim blanket? Well, when I upgraded to a bona fide duvet I turned it into pillows (see them stacked under my curbside-find chair?). And see that weird little pink lumbar pillow on the chair? I made that from an old pink satin sleep camisole. It was actually pretty cool up close but very strange none the less. This is when I really started to embrace home-related projects and I made those hanging hearts in the window with wax paper that I colored with red and pink crayons and baked in the oven for a stained-glass effect on the cheap (and I’m still pinching pennies almost ten years later, some things never change). Of course there’s the weirdly dark still life that I painted for wall art (how Adams Family of me). Although I’ve certainly lightened up over the years, I’m still making art all the time (from the stuff in our shop to the “Artsy Ideas” category on our How-To page). Maybe there are a few patterns after all.
So what’s the verdict? Are you guys appropriately shocked and skeeved? Are you still stuck on the airbrushed jeans? Yeah, me too. Did you think my dorm room would be all preppy and whitewashed and clean? I bet you did. How about what your rooms looked like back in the day… notice any patterns or trends that are still popping up today in your home? Did anyone else have that baby seal poster? Do tell.
Abby says
I was a flower child in high school and it was clear by looking at my room. I took two white flat sheets and tie-dyed them. then with an old blanket between them, I sewed the edges to make my own tie-dyed comforter. I used peace sign and smiley face stickers and wall decals on my boring white window shades. I had a black light and a crazy, VW Bus blacklight poster. Looking back, I’m amazed my mom didn’t have be take random drug testing – I didn’t smoke anything but it sure looked that way. LOL.
Wendy says
It really does show that you were destined all this time to be where you are now, doing what you’re doing. That jeans comforter, I’m sure, was way cool in its day – and so creative. And the fact that you were painting your teenage room with clouds says alot! Now I don’t feel so bad that I’m not as creative as you – seems like you’ve been at it for a really long time and it’s in your blood!
srabee says
the post honestly super enjoyable. its amazing how cluttered everything looks in your 3 pics and you so anti-clutter now. i dont want to sound mean, but my goodness your dorm is gross. to me it looks like the jean comforter smells dirty. you’ve come a long way.
cpknancy says
I had to laugh at your dorm room. When my niece was in college, hers looked pretty much the same and my sister referred to its style as “Early Halloween”.. LOL!!!
Trying new things while we’re young is how we become the people we are today.
Kath says
I didn’t have a seal poster, but I DID have that plaid comforter in your dorm photo!
Shannon says
I definitely had that baby seal poster. I may or may not have also had a stuffed animal baby seal to match. :)
elizabethe says
While I may have been guilty of many fashion and decor don’ts (i.e cute animal posters,a really bad perm, bookshelves made out of milk crates and 2x4s) I am proud to say I NEVER owned a pair of airbrushed anything! Why aren’t they immortalized on the jean bedspread?
LizzieBeth says
Sherry, girl, I grew up right outside of Philadelphia. I too, had a plethora of airbushed shirts from the boardwalk! I was so proud of my bedroom in the 9th grade when I put up blue and white striped wall paper, and flower boarder around chair rail height and then, wait for it… sponged the top part of my room sunshine yellow.
It’s funny when you look back on all your old DIY projects. When I do I actually get impressed that I knew how to do all that without the help of shows from HGTV!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Not So Glamorous Housewife says
ha ha. My mother gave me a super expensive oriental rug for my dorm floor (like 2 inches thick) and made me a custom futon cover to match. It was SWWWEEET!…and sea foam green. ech. Thanks for the laughs. I don’t think i would be quite so brave.
Emma says
I didn’t have the baby seal poster but I definitely had the stuffed animal hammock.
Laura says
I will confess to owning the stuffed animal hammock, but mine was definitely teal instead of pink. Also a big shoutout to LizzieBeth- thanks for the sponge painting memories!! LOL. Definitely better in the magazines than when a 13 year old does it with teal base and pink/cream accents. Wow.
Ash I. says
Slim Shady poster…didn’t you do something w/ Eminem way back when? If you feel like looking back on that experience one day, please post about it! I’d love to hear everything!!! :)
caroline says
What a fantastic post. Those jeans are something else. I didn’t do much better in 8th grade, though: I have a clear memory of rocking a monochromatic purple look that included lilac jeans (complete with high waist & tapered legs), plum Converse, a bright purple turtleneck, and – wait for it – purple suspenders. I shudder at the thought of it. And the fact that I had a collection of scrunchies to match every possible outfit. At the same time, I had a border of Rolling Stone covers running around the top of my wall. Could I not see?
My freshman year dorm room was also hideous, but I blame that mainly on the roommate that covered the walls with pictures of lighthouses and diners from calendars that she took apart… cheap art is one thing, but cheap, hideous, vertigo-inducing art explosions are quite another.
East End says
I am also a Jersey Girl (some people say I have big hair) exit 10. Small world. Down the shore for us was Manasquan, every summer. I feel that the bagels here are passable, pizza is not even close! I miss the Italian food a lot, especially the pastries……
YoungHouseLove says
Mmmm the pastries. You’re totally right. It’s amazing how many people here don’t know what a Napoleon is!
xo,
s
Jen Z. says
Boy does this bring back memories. I’m older than you but lets see 8th grade. My room was pink for many years. Posters on the walls, stuffed animals all over the place. My first apartment was some Ikea furniture and hand me downs. My house now is completely different. Though I still have Ikea furniture. Just went to Ikea last night in search for thos Vivan sheers, but they don’t have them anymore I don’t think. :( But I did buy my white white table and chairs I was looking for, plus some other stuff. I emailed you if you are interested. And I love your eye winking painted jeans. See you were creative at a very young age. ;-)
Haley says
Speaking of white animals….I was in PB Kids today (had to use the bathroom since it is the cleanest in the mall!) I walk past, then had to go back and pick up the most adorable white, ceramic looking figurines that are actually night lights. There were birds, bunnies and a very cool white elephant based lamp. Very cool and nice even for a non-kid room. I would post a link, but could not find them on PB website???? A bit pricey ($49.99) but really quite awesome. If any of you can find the link please share.
I thought of Young House Love family immediately when I spotted them!
haley says
BTW the night lights were called “glowing bunny tablelamp” glowing bird table lamp” about 5″ tall and x by 10″ long
Amanda says
I knew your dorm room looked familiar! I went to FIT, too!
I love, love, love your blog! I just came across it on the BHG challenge. Your porch looks incredible!
Jennifer says
In 1975, my brothers painted each wall of their bedroom a different florescent color and hung black lights up. Also black light posters. Way psychedelic. And there may or may not have been a certain smoke wafting through the air. My parents never stepped foot in there.
Now that I’m a parent of teenagers, I don’t want them to paint crazy stuff on the walls. We are just about to start redecorating their bedroom, and I definitely want their input, but don’t want them to go crazy and paint ugly stuff. Am I wrong? Should I be more lenient? How much would you let a teenager do?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, good question! Maybe you can give them the back of the door to go crazy on? Or the inside of the closet? Or even create a huge cork board for pinning up art or – ooh, paint a large blackboard square and provide colored chalk for all of their cloud-drawing urges!
xo,
s
yansy says
Sherry, I admire you for putting a picture up of you in 8th grade. I will be terrified but there is no question you are much braver than me. When you have a chance stop by my blog I want you to check out an installation of an apartment I did in Miami Beach last week that was inspired by your home. Let me know what you think.
heather says
GIRL…the ‘Slim Shady’ poster is hilarious! Love it.
Sara says
Jennifer,
I have tried to talk my tween sister out of hanging posters on the wall, especially when we repaint soon. Although I am guilty of having NKOTB posters and cut outs from Teen Bop EVERYWHERE! Gotta love the scotch tape leftovers! I told her we should get some white frames to put posters in. This way everytime she goes from liking the Jonas Bros. to Zac Efron she can switch them out instead of ruining the fresh paint. Just another idea…love the cork board idea too Sherry!
pearls and green tea says
awesome!! hahaha.
http://pearlsandgreentea.blogspot.com/
Sam & Jacci says
I’m totally thinking the same thing Jennifer just asked, but my kiddos are much younger. I did some very bizarre “decorating”, too, Sherry – but, I think it was all part of developing a style and experimenting with the BAZILLION ideas I had going on in my 13 year old head. All the wa up to college I was working through that “what can I do with funky floral contact paper?” stage :) But, when Sam and I were married, my tastes had matured, my sense of color had developed (I think, lol), and I had learned a lot about what *didn’t* work. I want my girls to be able to work through their own asthetic, too. I think there’s value in trying out baby blue trim for a (short) time. Hmm. How in the world am I going to give them some decorating space for creativity without having a completely wild upstairs??? ;)
Recently we bought bedding for the girls. I let them choose *any* pillow case color/pattern they wanted and *any* throw pillow for their beds. They’re also painting/drawing/creating their own artwork for their rooms. BUT, I’m framing it all in white frames with white mats. Hoping to add some continuity. I’ll post pics when it’s finished :)
Winking backatcha, btw.
XO,
Jacci
Sam & Jacci says
Jennifer – just had a thought. What if the bedroom looked “normal” and scribble free, but you painted the ceiling a different color and let them go wild on *that*?? It seems like flourescent stars and pastel clouds on the ceiling might be a little easier to live with??? maybe???
Jennifer says
My daughter actually suggested the large cork board idea. I like it because it contains paper or mementos they want to put up in one space. We’ve done the chalkboard paint before and it gets kinda dusty, but it’s way fun. There is an alcove in their room that I think I’m going to let them paint any way they want. They are really creative, and I want them to “work through” their design tastes, and you guys have suggested good ways to do that. Thanks.
anna see says
Sorry, I just couldn’t get past the jeans!
Fun post! :)
Bromeliad says
All of your places (and even your jeans) show creativity and a DIY spirit.
Myself:
70s floral
Unicorns & rainbows
Cottage country
Mouldering garden
Organic modern
70s floral
Jeannine says
I was just looking at my first attempt at decorating my condo. It’s horrible…but I can’t blame my teen years or my Jersey roots (Ridgewood!). The pictures are far too recent for that.
Anyway, thank goodness for web resources like YHL, other design blogs, and the design message boards for inspiration. I might still be living with a cranberry red bedroom. Yikes.
Jeannine in Charlottesville
Janis says
Love this post!! Especially your college dorm room. I had those same free postcards plastered over my dorm room too… what college kid in NYC didn’t?! I also hung a cheap pier 1 tablecloth on my wall as a mural. Tablecloth/shower curtain- same idea. Thanks for bringing me down memory lane!
Robyn says
I love the Pet Net.
and the jeans are the best part of the post.
Loved this one!
Caitlin says
Oh My God. This post was so awesome and hilarious!!! One can see that you thought like a designer even back then!
I completely forgot about those stuffed animal hammocks – I had one too!! For my dorm room, my roomate and I made a semi-seethru “quilt” out of gauzy scarves and fabric that served as a room divider – it was so gaudy :)
Averill says
I’m seriously impressed with your willingness to share these pictures online! — My sister and I have pretty much agreed to destroy all photos of us from the ages of 12-14. The horror of junior high need never resurface!!!
Kyle A. Franklin says
Dear Sherry,
I only recently discovered the blog and I am officially hooked. I think that the fish shower curtain maybe was not the worst idea (maybe the worst pattern). I used a similar design idea in my new bedroom.
I bought my condo in January with just about every penny I had. I really wanted to have a nice bedroom but simply could not afford a headboard. Instead, I bought a double-hung curtain rod, two simple brown panels, and a dusty-blue and silver French panel. I hung them at the very top of my wall to give the bed a real presence. And because it is so tall, the ceiling seems high (it is a 1977 building with 7 1/2 foot ceilings).
Because I hung those panels almost at ceiling height, I had to do the same for my actual curtains–but it looks good!
Here is a link to all of the pictures of my condo–the transformation is ridiculous!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2042907&id=44902206&l=c119eca459
Kyle
Claudia says
You really did love Slim Shady…too bad you didn’t share the video along with your airbrushed jeans picture. Too funny!
Ann-Marie says
I had that exact same seal poster!
KatyW says
Oh em gee — I totally love you as a blonde!
I know what you mean about high maintenance…how often would you have to touch up those dark roots??
But, I think you should do it again. Va va vavoom :-)
allison says
I can’t tell if it would have been cooler or not had the poster been of the singer Seal…
Mrs Watkins says
Someone clue me in…What is wrong with a demin bedspread cover? It is quite a frugal and awesome way to use old jeans! Help me out people…help me to understand what the problem is with a denim bedspread…!
Kym says
As funny as it may seem these pictures are actually pretty inspirational! It’s nice to know that people aren’t necessarily born with the ability to be awesome designers/decorators, but that it’s a learning process that evolves over time. It gives me hope that someday I’ll figure out my own sense of style!
Lauren says
HAHAAHHAHAHHAHAHAH THOSE JEANS HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH amazing.
Ashley says
Oh my word! How did I miss this post the first time…THOSE JEANS!!!! ha!!! I am dying! I have got to show this to my husband. He loves wearing crazy stuff to work every now and then (a school) just to make people laugh. Last time it was a huge wolf howling t-shirt that he found at wal-mart for $1 with matching socks, Birkenstock and cut off jeans…priceless and gross all at the same time!!!
I think winking jeans might have to be next.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I double dog dare him!
xo,
s