Welcome to the show notes for Episode #15 of Young House Love Has A Podcast. In this episode we talk about a recent wave of college students who have been grabbing national attention for their over-the-top dorm room décor. We share our take on the trend and compare it to our own college housing experiences. We also get useful design tips from HGTV’s Vern Yip, describe our first impressions after meeting Emily Henderson, geek out over a smart home tour, and recount a minor domestic disaster that reminded us that rice isn’t always your friend.
You can download this episode from iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio, or listen to it through the player on the original episode page. Below you’ll find links, notes, and photos mentioned during the show.
What’s New
- Above is the photo we took with Emily Henderson after HGTV’s Blogger Block Party in NYC. We admit ours came out a little less polished than hers, but it was a thrill to meet her and swap a few design notes in person. Photos from the event by photographer Andrew Federman capture the evening beautifully.
- We also mentioned a few smart-home items our friends have installed. Among them are a video doorbell and smart color-changing light bulbs; both are simple ways to add convenience and atmosphere to a home without a massive installation.
What’s Not
- Sherry gushed about the Novogratz book Downtown Chic; they followed it with Home By Novogratz and have a new book titled Beachside Bohemian that we’ve preordered. Their body of work offers a playful, eclectic approach that many readers find inspiring.
- We also reminisced about meeting designers Bob and Courtney Novogratz during our first-ever book signing in Cincinnati back in 2012. That early event is a fond memory and one of the moments that made the podcast feel more connected to the broader design community.
Vern Yip Voicemail
- Vern Yip’s new book, Design Wise, is out and packed with both attractive imagery and practical design guidance. We appreciated the way Vern balances aesthetics with easy-to-use principles that homeowners can apply without hiring a pro.
- He also offers a line of fabrics and textiles, which are helpful for anyone looking to update upholstery or window treatments with a designer’s perspective.
Fancy Dorm Rooms
- We discuss the viral Ole Miss dorm room that circulated widely online and the broader conversation it sparked about expectations, privilege, and the pressures some students feel to create a perfectly styled college space.
- There are plenty of other examples of elaborately decorated dorm rooms in round-ups from national outlets; some celebrate creativity and resourcefulness, while others raise questions about fairness and the true purpose of a college living space.
- We also share a throwback photo of John’s room from the house he lived in during college — it was once a former kitchen — and laugh about old collage-style photos and the eccentric décor choices of our younger selves.
- Sherry, meanwhile, remembers a distinctly college-era dorm setup featuring a denim blanket and a goldfish shower curtain, though that picture remains elusive. If we ever find it, we’ll add it to these notes for a nostalgic laugh.
We’re Digging
- Sherry has been collecting bookends and shared a few favorites that mix form and function. A sturdy set of bookends can keep shelves tidy while also acting as small sculptural accents on a bookcase or console.
- We also mentioned basic metal bookends as an affordable, practical option—useful for stabilizing a row of books, and easy to conceal if you prefer a minimalist look.
- John is currently enjoying Mary Roach’s Grunt; her books, including Stiff, Gulp, and Bonk, are engaging blends of curiosity-driven journalism and offbeat humor that appeal to anyone who likes smart nonfiction with personality.
- And yes, we show a photo of the “rice-splosion” that happened when a vase tipped over. It was a harmless mess but a funny reminder that everyday accidents can leave surprisingly memorable scenes.
If you’re trying to find something we’ve recommended in a previous episode, check our master list of favorite finds from past shows on the podcast site for easy reference.
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