Introduction
Presented in partnership with IKEA, three designers — Xavier, Darren Jett, and Noz Nozawa — took on a challenge to turn a standard college apartment into a stylish, functional, and deeply personal living space. Each designer brought their unique perspective and design philosophy to the project, proving that even a simple, temporary apartment can become a space of creativity, comfort, and inspiration.
First Impressions: Turning Basic Into Beautiful
The apartment was described as “a basic standard college apartment” — practical, plain, and lacking in flow. Xavier noted its “choppy and weird” layout, while Darren saw its “bare bones” potential. Noz affectionately called it “a little bit tragic,” yet brimming with possibilities.
Despite the modest start, each designer approached the project with a shared goal: to make the apartment feel like home — a place where students could study, entertain, and express themselves freely.
The Vision: Purposeful Design With Personality
- Xavier aimed to create a space centred around learning and creativity, without sacrificing its social energy.
- Darren envisioned a salon-inspired environment, where friends could gather, talk, and collaborate — filled with vintage charm and intellectual energy.
- Noz wanted to celebrate color and student creativity, using resourceful, playful ideas that reflect the diversity of student life.
Each designer’s goal was to balance practicality with self-expression — creating spaces that students could personalise, adapt, and enjoy every day.
Flooring: Laying the Foundation for Design Flow
Flooring played a crucial role in defining each designer’s aesthetic.
- Xavier used sisal carpet tiles to unify the space, giving it warmth and flexibility — perfect for temporary rentals.
- Darren preferred hardwood floors with vintage rugs, blending practicality with timeless appeal.
- Noz embraced bold color and pattern, using peel-and-stick tiles and Persian rugs to visually separate zones while keeping the design playful.
Each approach focused on making the space more fluid — turning awkward layouts into cohesive living, dining, and kitchen areas.
Walls and Ceilings: Personality Through Paint and Texture
The original off-white walls were a blank canvas waiting for character.
- Darren used tea-stained walls and Vitruvian scroll stenciling to bring warmth and history into the space, blending old-world charm with modern flair.
- Xavier covered his walls with corkboard tiles — not only for their tactile beauty but also to create a functional gallery for students to pin inspiration, projects, and ideas.
- Noz opted for lavender lime-washed walls — specifically African Violet by Benjamin Moore — giving the apartment depth, softness, and a sense of creativity.
All three used curtains and drapery to divide spaces while maintaining an open flow, proving that even simple textiles can elevate a student apartment.
Kitchen: Function Meets Flair
Each designer took a practical yet artistic approach to the kitchen — enhancing what couldn’t be replaced with clever design moves.
- Darren introduced peel-and-stick stainless steel tiles and pegboards to coordinate with appliances and add industrial polish.
- Noz used painted cabinets, brass hardware, and a new faucet to add warmth and personality.
- Xavier went for painted cabinets in soft greenish-yellow tones with artistic stenciling inspired by 1920s Paris.
Noz also added a peel-and-stick pink backsplash, proving that DIY design can still be beautiful and durable — even in a rental.
Furniture: Smart, Flexible, and Resourceful
Student living requires adaptability — and each designer leaned into that reality.
- Noz created a pallet sectional sofa, painting the base lavender to match her walls and topping it with DIY cushions made from repurposed fabric remnants.
- Darren arranged vintage-inspired salon seating, using Napoleon III–style sofas, IKEA coffee tables, and classic round dining tables for a sophisticated yet approachable feel.
- Xavier focused on multi-use furniture, using IKEA benches, sawhorse dining tables, and modular shelving for flexible living.
The emphasis was on mixing thrifted, found, and DIY pieces — celebrating creativity over cost. Each designer made a case for rethinking what “student furniture” can be.
Lighting: Setting the Mood
Lighting tied everything together.
- Darren replaced the outdated fan with a stainless steel uplight and soft table lamps by Analuisa Corrigan.
- Xavier used ambient lighting like paper lanterns and pendant lights, adding vintage table lamps for warmth and comfort.
- Noz embraced plug-in sconces by Eny Lee Parker and cordless battery-operated lamps for flexibility and charm — perfect for students who can’t modify wiring.
Each lighting scheme emphasised softness, atmosphere, and functionality — making the apartment feel intentional and inviting.
