Martha Stewart, eat your heart out!
University Housing residents from 20 residence hall rooms rivaled the household guru’s interior design talents Friday as they showcased their creative flair in the third annual Better Rooms and Gardens room decor contest.
Entrants to the 2002 competition hailed from the Walton, Carson, Hamilton, Bean and H.P. Barnhart residence hall complexes.
Winners in the categories “best use of floor space,” “most creative” and “most harmonious between two roommates” were each awarded gift certificates from local retailers including the University Bookstore; Face the Music; Bed, Bath & Beyond and Bath & Body Works.
This year’s judging panel included Food Services director Tom Driscoll, Housing Conference Services manager Debbie Cadigan, University Housing assistant director of Public Affairs and Marketing Tenaya Meaux and public relations assistant for University Housing Jessica Ramey.
“I liked the ones that included the whole community and I thought would be fun to hang out in,” Driscoll said.
Not only do roommates have to cooperate with each other and housing regulations for this contest, they also have to conquer the confines of a small living space. According to housing, most residence hall rooms provide a 10-by-16 square foot area, though the H.P. Barnhart (formerly University Inn) rooms boast a nearly 22-by-12 square foot room, plus a bathroom.
This year’s “best use of floor space” prize went to Hamilton complex duo Norm Ofstead and Jesse McIntire.
They were rated on their use of open floor space and creative use of storage ideas and furniture. Their high-tech bachelor pad has not one but two televisions, so guests can watch television while playing video games — the best of both worlds. While this may not be space-saving, the two made the most out of their room with crafty ideas for storage.
The double room can be transformed into a visitor’s lounge in a matter of moments, as beanbags and chairs stored under the beds provide extra seating comfort.
Roommates Jamie Curtis and Erin Toews were named the “most harmonious” pair, thanks to their flair for school spirit. Their green and gold quarters screamed “Go Ducks,” from the matching Ducks blankets and news clippings on the ceiling down to the sound of “Mighty Oregon,” the University fight song, ringing in the air as guests enter.
The “most harmonious” award goes to the team with the best mix of color coordination, clear personality representations and similarities in spatial arrangement.
The judges were in gridlock over the “most creative” award, finally deciding on a tie between roommates Yasmin Ravard and Amy Merriman and single room occupant Evan Lacour. Entrants had to display not only a good use of wall space, but also their own unique touches to the room that represent a clear personality through furniture, art or other decorations.
Lacour’s “retro” theme, with a blend of pale orange, lime green and yellow tones, made him a shoe-in for the winner’s circle. Working on a college budget, he found most of his accents in consignment shops. His signature piece is a orange and gold floral velvet couch he bought at the Salvation Army.
“It’s sort of fruity,” he said.
This was a tough act to follow for co-victors Ravard and Merriman.
The women solicited the help of neighbors to deck their hall with a mural painted around their door. A leather recliner in their pseudo-lounge with a background of snapshots of friends and fun times gave the space a casual, welcoming atmosphere.
“It was not just their room,” Meaux said, “Everyone in the hall collaborated.”
While decorating can be very personalized, it can also bring people together.
“Lots of good roommate relations came through,” she said.