CAROLINE: a collection of self

To Caroline, a fifth year graphic design student, interior design is the most pure form of self expression. Her room is crowded with various posters, trinkets, and unexpected works of art: rugs that hang on the walls and not the floors, a hubcap used as a piece of decor, a ceramic head that’s really a vase… Even empty space is filled with the light from her disco ball, sprinkling light so that no part feels untouched. It is clear that there is no one style that can represent the space, but rather it was curated into a collection of various items that bring her inspiration or excite her in different ways. It is also important to note that the room is filled with artwork she herself created. Not only is this room a source of inspiration, but it has become a display of the result of that inspiration.

Her eclectic approach to her bedroom intends to reflect every aspect of her personality, but poses the question of who is the audience she is trying to reach? Ultimately, the answer comes in the form of herself: “Interior design doesn’t have to be performative because it serves mainly myself. Unlike in fashion, other people, especially strangers, don’t usually see it and therefore do not perceive me through it.” How someone chooses to represent themself in private can be completely different than how one would expect. Is interior design a private form of expression? For Caroline, the design of her space has served as a form of experimentation, evolving as she comes to terms with her own identity. Her bedroom exists to bring herself (and no one else) inspiration, safety, and most importantly, joy.

What does interior design mean to you?

Interior design is how I express myself to myself: it is rarely seen by anyone other than me at this point in my life, and therefore my room has always existed to make me happy. I don’t need to worry about how I am outwardly expressing myself to the world because it is such a personal medium. Interior design doesn’t have to be performative because it serves mainly myself. Unlike in fashion, other people, especially strangers, don’t usually see it and therefore don’t perceive me through it.

What inspires your style?

I don’t have one style inspiration. I find art and artists I love on pinterest or social media that inspires me, but I think the most inspiring pieces are things I make or collect myself. I love using art I made to decorate my walls. I tuft rugs in my free time and have started hanging them on my walls as display rather than function. I found a hubcap on the street and gave it a new life next to my bed… I want my room to be filled with art that inspires or excites me each day.

who am i? who i? who am i? who am i? who am i? who am i? who i? who am i? who am i? who am i? who am i? who i? who am i? who am

How would you describe your personal style?

I would say my style is very eclectic. I’ve always wanted to be the kind of person to define their style, and be able to say this room is mid-century modern, or this room is minimalist, but I’ve found that I have so much love and appreciation for so many different textures and patterns and objects that I can’t limit myself to just one. My room is a collection of every part of me and how I see myself. Not everything may make sense or look cohesive all the time, but together they tell a very important story of who I am and how I got here.