Hello. My name is Erik Martin and I am a reporter for HomeStyle, a nationally syndicated home improvement/design section published weekly in newspapers across the country (you can view HomeStyle article examples at omaha.com/inspiredhome).
I’m looking to interview home improvement/remodeling experts, interior designers/decorators, and homeowners for the following article:A TASTE OF HOME ON CAMPUS: How to plan for and best decorate/furnish your college student's new dorm room, apartment, or away-from-home digs. Below is a list of questions I’m seeking answers to. I can either conduct a phone or email interview (with the latter, please email me back full-sentence written responses that I can use as quotes). My deadline is noon central time, Monday, July 11.
QUESTIONS:1. (THIS QUESTION FOR HOMEOWNERS ONLY) How did you and your college student decorate/furnish his/her college digs? What did you purchase (furniture pieces, décor, etc.)? What theme/design scheme did you implement? How large a space is this college residence that you decorated/furnished? What did you both like about the finished look/functionality? What tips can you provide to fellow students/family members as far as planning, budgeting, shopping and arranging? What is your full name and the name of your child student, his/her college, and city/state location?2. (NEXT QUESTIONS ARE FOR THE EXPERTS) What should a college student and his/her parents be considering when it comes to spatial planning and furnishing of his/her college residence? How should they approach this project: get advice from loved ones? Measure the spaces and draw out a layout for furniture and decor?3. What “styles” or room design approaches are popular and in vogue today among college students? (e.g., are most going for the “Ikea” look, or a “feng shui” esthetic?)4. What are some essential pieces (at minimum) that an unfurnished college residence may require? How about a furnished college residence—what are some recommended accessories they’ll probably need, at minimum?5. What kind of realistic budget should be considered, keeping in mind that this is a very temporary living space and fashion/luxury should probably be low priority? Should they opt for higher quality/higher priced products that they can still use past graduation/moving out, or should they go on the cheap as much as possible?6. Where should students/families consider shopping for furniture, décor and accessories? Where else should they look (e.g., thrift stores, Craigslist, the curb on garbage pickup day)?7. What tips can you provide as far as spatially planning out a room layout? (e.g., as less clutter as possible? Aim for matching fabrics/colors/styles? Don’t bunch up too many pieces together?)8. What suggestions do you have regarding including a roommate(s) in these decisions and shopping sessions? What is the diplomatic/tactful way to negotiate what furnishings/décor should be chosen and where they will go?9. Any moving day tips, besides the obvious? For example, what if you move the stuff in, but it just doesn’t match well or fit the way you expected? Is there any way to salvage the situation?10. Any other thoughts, tips or suggestions on this topic? 11. What is your full name, title, company, city/state location, and email address?
Keywords
home improvement/remodeling experts, interior designers/decorators, homeowners
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