Definition: (from my interior designer mother’s dictionary of made-up terms)

“main man”: (n). A central piece of decor in a room from which all other decorative elements connect back to and/or spring from.

The year: 1989. I’m an incoming college Freshman with a colossal head of curly hair that defies gravity, dressed in head-to-toe floral print (I know, I know… it was a transitional time for fashion). With my interior designer mother by my side, also wearing head to toe floral, we entered the 8 x 10 ft. dorm room, my first room away from home. The walls are painted concrete.  The floor is chilly, grey linoleum. It’s an exciting new chapter in my life and my room is giving mid-century prison cell vibes.

“Mom, what do we do?” I ask, panicked. “We need to find your main man”, she says, “then we’ll go from there”.

Fast forward to 2023, I’m the mom now, alongside my own curly headed Freshman, walking into yet another cold, stark dorm room. I know what to do. What’s the main man? My son chose one piece of art, and we created from there. His vibe. His room. His new chapter.

I created Dorm+Art to give parents and students a place to start. A place to find their vibe, their “main man”, that first element of cool or fabulous or funky to get started.  Start with the art.  I cannot wait to see the intentional and personal space you create for this exciting new chapter!