Here are 8 great resources for finding the perfect basket to finish your room – just in time for the holidays.

1. Serena & Lily

I adore the baskets from Serena & Lily. They’ve taken classic African and Asian designs and tweaked them with modern color and spirit ($68 – $290).

2. Crate & Barrel

I don’t think many people know that Crate & Barrel has a truly fantastic selection of baskets both decorative and useful. A tip is to tuck them under tables and benches. They add style and a place to store all kinds of things ($10.95 – $89.95).

3. Indego Africa

You can’t get much better than the variety of styles and general terrificness (I made up that word) at Indego of Africa. Their styles include platters and Agaseke baskets. They’re all made by hand by women in Rwanda, and take over 5 days to make ($35.00 – $110.00).

Decorating tip! A tray is a favorite way to set a tablescape. Antique bottles, a long tray and mini baskets look beautiful on this small entrance hall table.

4. Simon Pearce

I like the delicate nature of these baskets from, Simon Pearce, and have used them in kitchens. They’re a bit pricey, but are handmade and I like the size. They look great on a counter ($28.00 – $180.00).

5. Mission Del Rey

You don’t need a lodge or fishing shack to use Native American baskets in a decorating scheme. Mission del Rey sells a large variety of baskets handmade right here in the US of A. Fill the bucket style with apples or a plant. The platter style can stand alone, or place a decorative ball – just one – in the middle ($22.00 – $80.00).

Decorating tip! Use an odd number of what-nots when filling a basket or arranging just about anything. It always looks better than just four. Don’t you agree?

6. Pottery Barn

Ye old faithful, Pottery Barn. They’ve got a varied selection of storage baskets and decorative. Mostly storage. I have a large covered one under my bathroom sink. I keep extra toilet paper and my hair dryer in it. It’s useful, stylish and reasonably priced. Like everything at Pottery Barn ($24.99 – $89.99).

Personal note: I’m never sure whether people like Pottery Barn or don’t like it. Or, if it’s the place everyone does like, but doesn’t want to admit it. Truly, they have wonderful things. The key is to not buy everything from one store – whether it’s Pottery Barn or Barbara Barry. Your home is yours. It should reflect your personality.

7. Novica

My hit or miss online resource is Novica. Sometimes they’ve got really terrific things. Sometimes not. I adore these storage boxes – a thousand and one uses for those. And the little basket, above, is cute and perfect for a kitchen counter. I see fruit! ($39.95 – $59.95).

8. Baskets of Africa

I saved the most spectacular for last. Baskets of Africa sells the coolest baskets ever. Their Fair Trade baskets are made all over Africa. Their baskets are large and small and all are the real deal ($24.99 – $299.00).

That’s it! Basketland is done. Unless you’ve got a resource you’d like to share with all of us. Or, if you’ve got a special use for a basket let us know. Or, send me a photo! I’d love to see everyone’s basketed home (I made up that word too).

I like Lizz’s eclectic look. Her pug makes a nice accessory as well. I wonder how long it took her to get him to pose like that?

The antlers on the wall are a theme she’s carried across the room to the candlesticks in the dining room. Love the mix of chairs as well.

Lizz did a brilliant job in the bedroom. The twigs above the bed are held in 3 mason jars attached to the wall. It’s a great idea.

Going somewhere Lizz? Maybe she’s planning to sail through the five Great Lakes. The orange alarm clock is a nice touch of color.

Lizz built this bathroom herself. It was a storage room before she…

decided to lay her own floor using stones. Bravo for the idea. Double bravo for doing it herself. If you’d like instructions, leave a comment and I’ll see if she’ll help us out. This idea can be used for table tops (with smaller stones) and, of course, a patio.

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Isn’t this kitchen great? A great use of space – all organized by Lizz herself.

Here’s a peek at the butcher block work space. It acts as a sort of room divider between the kitchen and dining area. I love that mask. Lizz has a great way with art.

Ahh, here we are on the patio. So relaxing and lovely.

Thanks to Lizz for sharing her home with us. What do you think? A lovely space, isn’t it?

Let’s see what we can do with this room, shall we?

Le Floorplan

I like the bed tucked in the corner, since the bed is where most students hang out. I want it away from prying eyes walking down the hall. So Feng Shui, n’est ce pas? I tucked a couple of blue bookcases  behind the bed to create extra storage and a headboard of sorts. The height covers up a lot of sins and the blue adds a lot of color. A room screen is tucked behind the bed to create a cozy nook look. You can also hang things on it, such as scarves. Too Fab.

A nightstand sits next to the bed and a TV stand across from it. The existing desk and dresser enclose the window, which is hung with long curtains. A wash and wear rug covers part of the floor and, finally, a bean bag chair adds some extra seating for happenin’ guests. Oh, an I switched out the hideous and impractical desk chair with something more sensible.

Furnishings & Finishes Part I

Starting from the upper left, the bed is covered in a paisley Spice Route bedspread ($49.99) from Saffron Marigold. I like the beautiful edging (lower inset image). I suggest lots of pillows for lots of people to snuggle up to. It’s easy to find coordinating patterns with this orange and blue palette. I found the Ocean Breezes sham ($22.99 each) at Saffron Marigold and the Shadow Bird toss pillow ($38.00) at Urban Outfitters.

The nightstand is from Urban Outfitters($128). You could find something similar at a thrift shop. If the thrift shop version doesn’t suit the scheme, paint it to match or cover it with stickers. The bookcase is the famous Billy ($59.99 each) from IKEA. The fiber weave screen behind the bed is a three-panel style I found at Overstock.com ($93.99). One should be enough, but you might buy two  units for better coverage. It comes in several colors. I like the dark brown. Place S-hooks in the weaving to hang necklaces and scarves. String fairy lights across the top for a mood change.

Furnishings & Finishes Part II

Again, starting from the top left, I love this 4′ x 6′ Royal Outdoor area rug ($47.49) from Overstock.com. It’s made of polypropylene. When it gets dirty, take it outside and scrub it clean.

The windows in a dorm can be a problem. Most colleges don’t allow curtain rods, or they’re too difficult to install into cinder block. Fortunately, our windows are inset, so a tension rod is all we need. I found these floor-length, chenille curtains for an unbelievable price ($14.99 per panel) at Curtainworks (see below for a special discount from them).

Next up are these super-cute handmade letters from Etsy’s Little White Dog ($23.60 each). Stick them to the wall, or line them up on the shelves. I love these – wish they were a little less expensive.

The Smadal media unit ($69.99) is from IKEA. You can’t order it online, but we’re going eclectic. Try Goodwill and a can of paint.

Desk Chair! How can anyone study while sitting in that horrid thing? Throw a party and burn them (you didn’t hear that from me – no fires)! A good desk chair is really important, so this is where you want to spend your money. The Chelsea swivel chair ($269.99) is from PB Teen and comes in blue.

Last but not least, a bean bag chair ($128.00) from Urban Outfitters is an essential for our boho styling.

Final Thoughts & One Great Discount

A boho style needs to look like it wasn’t decorated. This dorm room may be too matchy-matchy for the true boho enthusiast. For the real thing, just visit your parent’s attic and basement and a few thrift shops. You may even find a great desk chair at a rock bottom price.

Speaking of low low prices, Curtainworks is offering Design Hole readers a special discount. Save 15% off your order by using the code DH15. The offer runs through the end of December. Curtainworks (unsolicited opinion) is a great find for students and anyone just starting out. As I said, their prices are fantastic.

Keep that collar popped, Worthington Triplet, III (not made up). I have the perfect solution for transforming a girl’s eye-sore of a dorm room into the ultimate Little Club (see Preppy Handbook) dorm room simply everyone will be lining up to join. Just remember to act bored when you see the results.

Space Planning Is So Fetch

I decided to stick to a few realistic rules I happen to know of after taking these photos. You can’t paint and you can’t install wall-to-wall carpet. But there are ways around these sorts of things and I’m sure the rules are broken all the time. But I wanted to show what you could do within those rules. I also decided to keep the furniture – though I’m imagining a real mattress. My back aches just looking at that thing.

So what’s going on? I’ve done a little feng shui rearranging. I don’t like that bed with a direct line to the door. Bad karma. I also like the idea of making the bed look more like a sofa. I enclosed the bed with two end tables and hung a no-sew, ceiling-to-floor curtain behind all three to create a cozy club sofa. More about fabrics, etc farther down the post.

Across from the bed, we need entertainment. A low, modern unit is just the thing. I’ve added an awesome lamp. The desk needs a better chair – so I broke my rule and burned the chair. Time to see what it’s all supposed to look like. Ready? Roll your eyes and say, “whatever.”

Curtains, Sheets and A Rug Create A Snug Retreat

No, I did not say Snuggie! To create the retreat, I’m creating a focal point by enclosing the bed and end tables with a curtain. This is a no-sew project made from inexpensive rods and a few queen sized sheets. I chose pink, zebra striped sheets from PB Teen. You’ll need about three queen-sized for this project ($89 each) to create a full look. Or, opt for flat panels. Hang a rod as close to the ceiling as possible, slide the bottom hem through the rod and gather. For added zip, use fusible tape to sew grosgrain ribbon just below the bottom hem (the end that hangs at the ceiling.) Repeat this look at the window. You’ll have to cut the sheet in half, or hem it for café style curtains. Use fusible tape if you don’t own a sewing machine.

Now for the bed. I was so happy to find authentic Lily Pulitzer at Garnet Hill. Finally! I love Lily. Here in Grosse Pointe it never went out of style.  Standard pink and green is obvious. Since we’re off to college, I thought I’d try a sophisticated look that blends well with zebra. Lily’s chic, Cha Cha Chains comforter ($166) is just the thing. I love the 70′s-inspired cane look.

Now we need shams for the back and sides of our sofa. For the back, I like Lily’s La De Da quilted pink shams and white for the sides ($49 each). If you can find king-sized matelasse shams in hot pink that’s a better look, but I couldn’t find any. I think these do a good job because of their heavy weight.

Finally, I’m covering our beautiful (so not), gray floor with this zebra print rug also by Lily and available at Garnet Hill ($398). An alternative is to go with zebra squares from FLOR ($12.99 per square). You can take them with you when you move. Depending on how many you buy, they cover more gray. Also, you can clean and later replace them if they get too grotty.

Walls, Furnishings & Final Touches

Okay, so now we need a place for storage and a flat screen, plus a few must-have accessories. Let’s start with the coolest thing first. We can’t paint the walls, but we can decorate them to look like wallpaper using large decals. I love, love, love these truly masterful paisley wall decals from Blik ($60 for a set of 20). They’re the perfect color and style. I was so happy to find these. Let your budget be your guide and go wild.

Scooting over to #4 on my image board, I chose two of these end tables for either side of the bed. They’re contemporary and offer some private storage. These Hudson end tables are from West Elm and sell for $199.

Let’s add some more  clean lines to all the high-end quality frou-frou with this very chic, but inexpensive Lack entertainment unit ($49.99) from IKEA. A tad bit of droll humor from IKEA’s Filsta puffy lamp ($19.99) on the side? Yes please.

Let’s 86 The Desk Chair

Now about the standard desk chair. Someone on Goucher’s board should be arrested. Nothing in this room says quality, but that chair is a side chair. So wrong. Toss it. Burn it. Gone. I’m switching it out for this pink, spotted desk chair from PB Teen. I hope it holds up as nicely as it looks ($159). Am I going overboard with pink patterns? No. We’re making a prepster statement here. Unlike me (after several drinks at the frat house) with a design statement you can say it over and over and it always looks smart. So there.

While we’re sitting at the desk studying hard, we need a good task lamp – a black Forsa desk lamp from IKEA ($19.99) is just the thing. That’s all I’ve got. Is it enough? Stay tuned tomorrow for a post about all-around items every dorm room needs.

In the meantime, comments please! I worked hard on this. Now that I’ve begged I’ll leave you with these important final words about higher learning spoken to me by my college professor father, “Never let your studies interfere with your education.” Pass the bong.

Their Alice In Wonderland desk and storage unit could be just the thing in a contemporary space.

And I especially like this Louis Louis cabinet. Join them together, or separate them with a beautiful painting.

As I said, the point in using whimsical furnishings is to use only one piece in a room. Too much whimsy begins to look like a joke and creates a jumble of ideas. You can purchase directly from Art Syndicate and they can arrange shipping world-wide.

Speaking of planters, I’m in the market for some large ones to frame our front door. Here are several that caught my eye.

I really like a square shape. It’s more formal and just right for our French Colonial style home. The style on the left is from Ballard Designs. Their Beauclaire Anduze Planter comes in three sizes and colors ($79 – $179). They’re made of poly-resin, so they’re lightweight. The style to the right is from Thomas Baker. Their Chiswick planter is made of fibreclay. Over time, it will look aged – in a good way ($299).

A less formal style with an Asian twist is from Sutherland. I started (upper left) with their stone cachepot. Yes, I know it’s a bit off topic, but I really like it. It comes in three types of stone. I know I need at least one to put somewhere. Sutherland’s Peninsula tapered and square planters come in wide variety of finishes both for the teak and the galvanized aluminium base. My friend, Renée needs these. I hope she’s reading this. I don’t have prices – these are sold only through the trade. That would be me. I’ve signed up for an account (need that cachepot). If you’re interested in pricing, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you.

The planter on the upper right would fit in perfectly in just about any garden style. I found it at Overstock.com. Who doesn’t love a bargain? Their Balmoral planter is made of teak ($185.99). They also sell a set of three in different sizes. The Georgian planter, from Wisteria, comes in 2 sizes ($99 – $149).  It’s made of polyresin. Finally, a colorful option from Crate & Barrel. Their square planters ($24.99 – $29.99) are small and perfect for steps, as they show here.

I’m really liking the Chiswick planter. I like the color and the age-factor. But I might opt for the less expensive Ballard Designs option. I’ll show off the photos once misterarthur and I finish arguing over the plants. :-)

Which style is your fave? Send me photos of your garden and I’ll run a post once I get a bunch together. You’ve got all summer.

I put together a paint palette using Benjamin Moore paints. Here are some decorating ideas on how to use these colors throughout your home.

Jennifer’s Design Tips

• Paint all the rooms in your home a neutral color and use these three on furnishings, curtains and accessories, or…
• Paint the rooms different colors in this palette. Move up or down the color card to create a darker or lighter room that will still fit the scheme.
• Do the same thing with your furnishings and fabrics. An entire pastel palette will look strange.
• Add additional colors in accessories and fabrics. This will keep your home from looking too matchy-matchy.
• Always choose your paint last. Use these colors as a starting point – as inspiration. But choose the carpets and fabrics before you paint. Paint comes in every color. Fabrics and carpeting don’t. You might need to tweak your paint colors a bit once you’ve bought the sofa.

I think a lot of people might go thumbs down on pink in the living room. Agree?