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You’ve followed your calling to the hallowed halls of higher education. Your courses are chosen, your books are ordered, your residence is set, and now it’s move-in day. Whether you have your own room or you’re bunking with others, it helps to do your homework on how to decorate your dorm for form and function.

Classes of haves and have nots

Most university dorms are furnished with the basics, including bed, desk, shelving, dresser, closet and sometimes a mini-fridge. Larger residences come with kitchens and are equipped with refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, etc. Students are required to bring everything else — within limits — including cutlery, dishes, pots and pans for those with kitchens.

Even before students set foot on campus, universities send them a list of what to leave in and what to leave out of their moving boxes. SFU’s packing tips encourage students to bring bedding, desk lamp, laptop, extension cord and power bar, toiletries and cleaning supplies. Verboten are personal modems, Wi-Fi printers, smart home devices, air conditioners, amplifiers and subwoofers.

UBC’s packing list includes pretty much the same, as well as suggested clothing for a rainy day. Kawa Ada, associate director on the Residence Life team at UBC Student Housing and Community Services, says, “We encourage students to bring what they absolutely need, particularly because of the space limitations, but also because of sustainability objectives.”

About 14,000 students live on campus at UBC which, he says, generates a lot of waste. Everything you pack in (and accumulate during the year) you need to pack out when you leave, or donate, sell or recycle.

The art of decorating

Over and above the essentials to outfit your room, adding a touch of home can make the transition easier, especially for students who are away from home for the first time.

“Students find ways to make the space their own, things that remind them of home,” says Zoe Woods, director, Residence and Housing, at SFU. “It could be a bed kit that you regularly use or a new one your parents gifted you when you moved out.”

Even a teddy bear? “Stuffed animals may remind students of home and make them feel settled in a space,” she acknowledges.

Eighteen-year-old Sienna Walker, who’s entering her second year at UBC majoring in English Literature and Languages, says, “I brought a lot of books to fill my shelves as well as photos of family and friends for a photo wall. I brought a lot of pillows, comforters and blankets to decorate my bed and give it a homey feel. I also had posters for the walls.”

While students are free to deck their walls with pretty much anything, there are a few rules. Posters and pictures must be hung using poster putty, painter’s tape or command strips so as not to peel the paint.

“If the room is altered in any way, students need to ensure it’s back to its original condition when they depart or they are responsible,” says Woods.

Wallpaper, even the temporary kind, may take some effort to remove, unless it instantly peels off without damaging the paint.

Rooms, which, at SFU range between 120 to 150 square feet, also include window coverings such as blinds, but if a student is really attached to their own drapes, Woods says they could use tension or pressure rods to hang them.

Ali Udaipurwala, 22, who is in his fourth year majoring in Business Administration at SFU, says he brought a rug from home as well as family photos to make his space cosy and comfy. But he says his best buys were organizer-type boxes to store stuff in and avoid clutter.

“I also brought LED lights that are controlled with a remote,” he says. “You can set them for mood.”

Woods agrees that throw rugs can make a space feel more homey and they can also help muffle noise.

Crystal Moon, principal and creative director at Vancouver’s Crystal Moon Design, says, “Having a rug that’s a bit bigger gives layers to the space, and adds coziness. It also can keep you warm in the cold rainy months if the place is a bit drafty.”

For arty decor, Ada says UBC offers crafts and materials to newly arriving students to personalize their space through programs like plant potting, designing your own T-shirts or tote bags, and door decoration. “The residence room is an expression of who they are, their past lived experiences and their memories,” he notes. “Through the year they often find that room becomes a place to call home, so we absolutely encourage students to bring things that are tied to their identity.”

Space savers

Ada says dorm beds can be lifted with risers to allow for a couple of extra feet of storage underneath. “Some students put their dresser drawers under their beds to optimize their space. Most of the furniture we have is quite modular for those kinds of customizations.” He says some students push their bed against a wall and line up a row of pillows so it doubles as a day bed or sofa.

Moon, who specializes in designing and decorating small spaces, says, “Wall space is so underrated. You can get shallow wall cabinets that come in a range of depths and sizes to use for functional storage as well as a place to put photos or a piece of art.”

She says using a small dresser instead of a nightstand does double duty for more storage. “There are also ottomans that fold out so if students have guests staying over,” it can convert to a bed. “You can even get sideboards that fold out into double beds now.”

Udaipurwala, who has his own room, says he stores his skin care products, books, and gym equipment on his shelving units, and photos of family and close friends on his study desk.

Walker says UBC rooms have an abundance of shelving space, much of which she filled with photos and trinkets from home. Last year she had a roommate, and the two repositioned the beds, desk and wardrobe to maximize and delineate their space. “The school has the furniture all placed the same way so if you move it, you have to put it back in the exact same way the school left it,” she notes.

Co-operating and co-ordinating

Nearly all new students who share a dorm will not have met their roommate ahead of time, so Woods suggests they reach out to each other before they move in to ensure they’re on the same page in terms of expectations. “We have had students with very different styles but are comfortable learning about each other and sharing that space well,” she says.

Walker advises being mindful of your space and the other people who live in it, noting there are floor advisers who routinely check that students are following room restrictions as well as proper etiquette such as noise, cleanliness, etc.

“My roommate and I made a list of things we were comfortable with,” she says, “which included how late we wanted to stay up or how early we would head to class, if we wanted to bring friends into our rooms or not, who did cleaning duty certain weeks, etc.

“All in all, first-year dorm experience is a great way to adjust to university life. If you prefer your space 24/7 then a shared dorm might not be for you. But it’s a great way to meet new people you wouldn’t have otherwise.”

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Purpose-built rental buildings have become increasingly popular in Vancouver. For good reason.

Vancouver’s housing market is out of reach for many people. Of course, today’s renter is also looking for contemporary features and finishes, a plethora of amenities, and convenient locations.

Located a short walk from Sunnyside Park, along one of east Vancouver’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, Peterson’s newest purpose-built mixed-use concrete rental building, Revolve, checks off a lot of those boxes.

Barrett Sprowson, senior vice-president at Peterson, understands that with Vancouver’s ever-evolving skyline, renters look for thoughtfully designed interiors and buildings that provide a connected lifestyle experience.

“We really spend time thinking about the end-user and what they truly need to enhance their lifestyle,” says Sprowson. “Revolve suites are functional and beautiful, because we refuse to compromise on the esthetics. I think we lived up to our commitment of providing great finishes so our tenants have a nice space to live in, and amenities that offer residents dedicated spaces for wellness, working, entertaining and connecting.”

Peterson currently has 1,200 purpose-built rental buildings, including Vancouver’s Langara Gardens and Camilla in Richmond, to name just a couple.

“Right now, we have many more slated for redevelopment,” says Srownson. “Peterson has always been a believer in the rental market; it’s part of our balanced approach to development.”

Opened in April, Revolve is a 14-storey mixed-use concrete building presenting a collection of 139 homes, featuring a mix of studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom suites, some with two full bathrooms, ranging from 333 to 1,039 square feet.

Curated by award-winning Ste Marie Studio, Revolve’s suites are bright and airy, and come with six appliances (refrigerator, wall oven, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer), individual thermostats, air conditioning, quartz countertops, vinyl plank floors, and a contemporary neutral palette.

But there’s more. Every home comes with a storage room and leak detectors that will identify a leak and immediately shut off the valves.

Yasaman Azodifar recently immigrated to Canada and has lived at Revolve for a few months and loves it. After looking at several rental buildings, Azodifar said that as soon as she entered the building, she knew she had found her new home.

“I searched for quite a while for a place that was easily accessible to downtown Vancouver, near great restaurants and was quiet and functional,” says the Iranian-born Azodifar. “As soon as I walked into Revolve, I loved everything about it. I’m in design, and I was attracted to the architecture and how well designed the building is.”

Although Azodifar says her second-floor studio is small, it is “cleverly laid out.”

“Peterson used the space so efficiently. I have a separate place to sleep and another to relax … in fact, I have room enough for a sofa and dining room table,” she says, adding her patio is large enough to accommodate four people.

Finally, Azodifar makes use of the co-working space on a regular basis, saying it is “quiet, super clean and more comfortable than most offices.”

The building amenities are designed to take urban apartment living to the next level. At street level, Revolve has signed on commercial leases, including Kumon, a Club Pilates, and Trout Lake Animal Hospital.

In addition, Revolve has an on-site resident manager who can assist with maintenance and repair issues, tenant relations and property upkeep, as well as ample parking, secured bike lockers and a dog wash.

Revolve’s array of indoor and outdoor amenities is designed to suit every preference while encouraging a sense of community. They include a well-appointed shared kitchen and lounge, an outdoor yoga and stretch area, a fully equipped fitness centre with Technogym machines, and an innovative co-work lounge with meeting rooms that open up to the outdoor patio.

The shared terrace, with its unobstructed views of the cityscape and mountain range, includes several garden plots, three barbecues, and a space to connect with friends and family while little ones explore the kids’ play area.

The building is located on Kingsway and Glen, closely connected to Mount Pleasant, the Fraser Triangle, Burnaby’s Trout Lake, and the emerging Norquay Village, known for its great restaurants, and Norquay Park, a two-block popular recreational destination. And it’s central to Commercial Drive and Metrotown.

Project: Revolve

Project address: 3572 Glen Dr., Vancouver

Developer: Peterson

Architect: Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership

Interior designer: Ste Marie

Project size: 14-storey, 139 rental suites

Number of bedrooms: Studios, 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms

Price: Rent starts from $2,150

Sales centre: 3572 Glen Dr., Vancouver

Centre hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone: 604-424-8408

Website: revolve.petersonrentals.com

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Vancouver-based design brand Marrimor make objects — tables, rugs, sofas, cushions — that are as playful as they are practical. Founded by Tanja Breadner and Lauren Bugliarisi, the pair first met when Bugliarisi joined Breadner in her interior design company in 2017. Their first joint project, a custom table, revealed a rare creative spark.

“It became clear that when we collaborate on furniture together magic happens,” says Bugliarisi.

Later that year, over cocktails, Breadner told Bugliarisi that she wanted to start a furniture brand with her. Bugliarisi’s reply:

“I thought you’d never ask.” Marrimor was born.

Walking the line between playful and refined

The vision was ambitious from the outset. They wanted to build a global furniture brand rooted in their creative connection.

“The work we create together has always walked on a tightrope between playful and refined, as a result of the way we push and pull one another during the development process,” says Bugliarisi.

This balance has defined Marrimor’s sensibility, giving its pieces a distinctive character that is approachable, yet polished, whimsical yet enduring.

Thinking internationally from the start, the studio aimed beyond local trends, designing for a broad audience and maintaining high production standards.

Owning the process

Unlike many firms that license products or outsource production, Marrimor chose to handle the manufacturing itself.

“There’s so much power as a studio in owning your manufacturing process. It gives you room to be flexible on almost anything — you have control over not only who brings your ideas to life, but where in the world they do that. You get to decide when to accept the creative concessions you sometimes have to make to bring things to life, and also who you work with to bring your products into people’s spaces,” says Bugliarisi.

That flexibility is particularly meaningful as a Canadian brand.

“It allows us to remain a Canadian brand in more than name only, but also down to our core values,” she says.

Milan calling

If Vancouver is where Marrimor sprouted, Milan is where it bloomed. Showing at Salone del Mobile (Milan Furniture Fair) has been transformative, says Bugliarisi:

“As a brand, showing in Milan has legitimized us. It makes people take us seriously, and almost all of our big opportunities in the market have come as a result of our time in Milan.”

The fair provides both pressure and possibility. With the design world in attendance, visibility can be daunting. But it’s also the chance for a small studio to step onto the global stage.

It has also underscored the studio’s Canadian identity. Marrimor has found itself part of a growing international buzz around Canadian design, says Bugliarisi.

Balancing acts

Running a studio that spans interiors, product design and manufacturing means constant juggling. The partners divide tasks by strength and bandwidth, switching hats as needed.

“Every day there’s something new to figure out. We both thrive in that pursuit,” says Bugliarisi.

This adaptability extends to their design approach.

Marrimor’s Drape sofa can be moody and dramatic in velvet or soft or cloud-like in chenille. Clients are invited into the process through fabric and colour choices that dramatically change how a piece feels.

Who buys Marrimor? The answer is eclectic. A set of Toofs — cylindrical tables — once turned up in place of a coffee table in a loft living room. Their Draft sofa has been considered for hotel lobbies.

“The goal was always to create products that fit in a broad variety of design esthetics and spaces,” says Bugliarisi.

In Vancouver, Marrimor’s full line is available through Livingspace , and internationally through their website .

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