Even more personal than one’s closet is an individual’s bedroom. It is a private sanctuary where we can escape the stresses of life, unwind and find comfort (literally) in your bed. So it is important that your bedroom is not only a reflection of your personality, but a place that allows for reflection (and good night’s sleep).
And while you long for the day when we can use the word “master” when describing your bedroom, as a college student or recent grad, your living space tend to be rather small. But just because the size of your bedroom may be more comparable to a walk-in closet, doesn’t mean you need to reduce your style. You are an “adult,” now after all. Let your living space reflect your newfound title change.
We asked one of our CollegeFashionista alum and one of our current Style Gurus to share how they approach making their bedrooms their own.
“My apartment is an extension of my personality, and my bedroom, in particular, a bulwark for my sleep, wellness and zen. I designed my apartment to be a place that genuinely makes me happy and at ease to return to at the end of every long day. Similarly, waking up in my light, bright and airy bedroom makes me feel refreshed and ready to take on that day’s challenges and adventures.”—Toby Milstein, Barnard College and Style Guru Alum living in New York City
“My apartment is my space to get away from everything, so it has to feel serene. When my bedroom looks perfect, I can zone out, forget about all my troubles and truly relax.”—Anna Coke, University of Kentucky Style Guru
Still need some inspiration on how to transform your bedroom into a dreamy location like a pro? We caught up with Nell Diamon, the Founder of Hill House Home, as she discussed how she literally made sleep her job (and works hard to provide gorgeous bedding to ensure you can rest in style as well).
Read her inspiring story and get Nell’s tips for getting the perfect night’s sleep below!
CollegeFashionista: So we all love to sleep, but what sparked your initial passion to start Hill House Home?
Nell Diamond: First and foremost – I’m obsessed with bedrooms! I really believe that we’re affected by the space that we sleep in, and I know from experience that waking up in a space you love can make you a happier, more productive person. The bedroom – and the bed in particular – should be the jewel of your home – and it’s worth spending time figuring out what your dream bed situation is.
I created Hill House Home because I just couldn’t find high quality, beautifully designed bedding at a reasonable price point. I wanted bedding that felt amazing – even after a few washes – and looked even better. I love the designs of classic brands like Pratesi and Porthault, but could never afford the price tag – so I set out to create classically beautiful, elegant bedding that’s both practical and affordable.
For our first five collections – the “Essentials,” we took vintage linens to our factory in France and modernized them — adding practical, modern elements like envelope enclosures and updating the designs for the modern home.
CF: How did your education help drive your business’ success? What did you learn in the classroom that has been invaluable to your brand?
ND: I was an English major as an undergraduate at Princeton, and my time there really taught me how to think – how to solve problems, how to structure arguments, how to tell stories – and I use all of those skills every day.
In graduate school at Yale, I learned the practical skills that are necessary to run a business – everything from how to build a workable financial model to how to build a website. I was also part of the start-up incubator at Yale, and every day I sat alongside entrepreneurs in dozens of different fields. It taught me an incredible amount about how to build a business that can last.
CF: What are three words that describe Hill House Home?
ND: Clean, elegant, fun.
CF: Besides your product offerings, you also blog about sleep. What’s the funniest sleep story you have heard?
ND: We just interviewed Brett Heyman for our “Hill House Residents” series. Brett is the founder of my favorite handbag line Edie Parker, and she told us about the “Pee and Worry.” It’s that moment when you wake up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, and then suddenly find yourself wide-awake, worrying about the strangest things. I loved that she gave this phenomenon a name, because I am a total victim of the Pee and Worry – the other night I found myself actually panicking in bed thinking about whether I had watered a plant in my office. So odd!
CF: What is your nighttime ritual? What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
ND: I’m trying to decrease my pre-bed screen time, so around 30 minutes before bed I will set my alarm and put my phone down. Then I’ll wash my face and apply a million different moisturizers, get in pajamas and read either a magazine or a book before falling asleep. Right now I’m obsessed with Lydia Davis so I’ve been alternating between that and copies of Vogue, Architectural Digest and Veranda.
CF: What are your keys to getting the perfect night’s sleep?
ND: My biggest sleep tip – and I’ve become a little crazy about this one – is to try to wake up at the same time every day. Even on the weekends! Waking up at 6am on a weekday and 11am on a weekend can wreak havoc on your internal clock, and leave you even more tired on Monday mornings. If you go out late on a weekend night, wake up at your usual time and then take an afternoon nap – your body will thank you when you wake up happy and refreshed on Monday!
Also – as hard as it may be – try to stop screen time at least 30 minutes before bed. Wash your face, dance, talk to yourself, plan your outfit – whatever it takes! Blue light from screens can inhibit melotonin production – making it that much harder to fall asleep once you finally climb in bed!
CF: Dorm living is different than “real life” living. What are your tips for making a generic dorm echo the chic personality of its occupant?
ND: I lived in a dorm all four years at Princeton, and I was really good at making it feel like home! In a small space (and on a small budget), it’s all about personal touches. My favorite was using my shoes as decoration – I had this great Ikea bookshelf, and I used to rotate out shoes based on my mood. I’d place a pair on top of a stack of books so that I could see them from my bed. It made the room instantly cheerful! Also – photos! Lots of photos, everywhere.
CF: As a New Yorker, you are used to decorating and making the most of small spaces. What are a few things every first (and small) apartment must-have?
ND: A great bookshelf! It’s perfect for those little knick-knacks that can look like junk elsewhere, and any good apartment needs a wide range of reading material!
A great chair is also really useful – I’ve found a few really cool ones on One Kings Lane. A patterned or colorful chair can be a great way to add texture to an otherwise boring room, and also serves as the perfect place to (elegantly, of course!) drape clothing or bags instead of throwing them on the floor!
CF: What should a young adult invest in/save on when it comes to their first place?
ND: Good sheets, of course! High quality bed sheets should last you for years, so it’s worth investing in a set you love even if you know you’ll be moving a lot. The bed is also the place you’ll be spending the most time, so it makes more sense to spend on bedding than that huge couch that might not fit in your next apartment (and that costs a crazy amount to move!)
I also think it’s great to have one or two art pieces you really love. Even if it’s just a poster you get framed (I love Simply Framed for this). Great art on your walls can make even the smallest space feel instantly more personal. In my first few years after college I was working crazy hours, and I can’t tell you how happy it made me to come home to a cheerful space that I loved. I had one drawing framed on the first wall you saw when you opened the door, and it made me so happy every time I came home after a busy day!
Thank you to Hill House Home for providing the beautiful bedding for this feature!
