Tour Style Blogger Maria Gonzalez's Bedroom
Name: Maria Gonzalez
Age: 20
Hometown: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
University: Fashion Institute of Technology
Major: Production Management
Maria Gonzalez is so resourceful when it comes to decorating her bedroom that she's even scavenged her family's garage. The fashion student's space, which is filled with vintage and antique finds, reflects her eclectic personal style. Maria documents her outfits on her blog City Laundry, and demonstrates how to expertly style American Apparel and Old Navy items with thrift store bargains.
This twenty-year-old is also adept at making her room feel like a true home. She's personalized her space by displaying mementos like an old photograph of her father and creating custom DIY pillows. Maria paints, upholsters, and assembles furniture all on her own, proving that when it comes to decorating, it helps to be both independent and imaginative.
_Maria wears a J. Crew button-up shirt, a Forever21 vest, and a H&M skirt and belt.
We're looking for the coolest bedrooms and dorms in the country to feature on TeenVogue.com! Email room@teenvogue.com three photos of your space (and a picture of yourself!) plus your age, location and telephone number to be considered for the next Room of My Own online feature._
1/33This New York City fashion student styles her space with vintage finds and DIY projects.
2/33Her Space
"My room is a converted attic, and I'm lucky enough to have a lot of space to decorate and work on projects. I'm a lover of all things vintage, so that definitely shows through in my room. I like to be surrounded by old things that reflect who I am. I tend to find things that people don't want anymore and give them a new home and lots of love!"
3/33Her Sewing Machine
"This Singer sewing machine is one of my most prized possessions. My parents found it at an antique shop and they fid it up and got it running. It's dated 1901 and works perfectly; I use it all the time to work on sewing projects and tailor my vintage clothing. I found this chair at a garage sale, and I decided to paint it and make a cushion using vintage fabric."
4/33Her Antiques
"I love finding antique items like this old metal iron. It's really heavy, so I just use it as a paper weight. I found this 'M' at a thrift store, and I just loved the floral pattern. I hand-made the tomato pin needle cushion."
5/33Her Art
"I love the colors in these paintings and the detail of the family picking peaches off of the tree. I sometimes use them as a reference when I'm decorating or working on a project."
6/33Her Mannequin
"I dress up this mannequin with the most recent article of clothing I've created. I made this simple dress a couple of months ago. I think it'll be perfect for summer."
7/33Her Record Player
"I originally bought the record player for my dad, but I saw that it wasn't being used anymore, so I snuck it up to my room. It hasn't left since! I keep all of my fabric scraps, trimmings, and sewing supplies in the trunk."
8/33Her Vinyl's
"My dad has been helping me collect vinyl's over the years. If I have time in the morning, I like to play one as I get ready."
9/33Her Chairs
"I always having friends over, so it is important to have a comfy place for them to sit. They nicknamed these chairs the 'love nests.' I bought them at Pier 1 Imports. I love them because they are super easy to move around and the cushions are reversible."
10/33Her Bureau
"I love finding new places for old things, so every once in a while I'll look in my garage and see if I find anything I like. I found this old lantern and trunk that were collecting dust! I bought the beaded lamp years ago at Pier 1 Imports and the wise owl was a gift from my mom. The little boy in the black and white photo is my dad when he was four years old."
11/33Her Outfit
"I'm wearing an American Apparel cardigan and long sleeve shirt, a thrifted skirt that I altered, and Steve Madden shoes. I love pairing unique finds from thrift stores with more contemporary brands. It's also good on the wallet!"
12/33Her Mementos
"I have some old thread spools and an owl displayed in this box that I made. I have quite a few owls hanging around my room. I like to think that they keep me company."
13/33Her Trinkets
"I like to decorate with items that are unconventional. I thought these measuring cups were so cute, so why should I keep them hidden away in the kitchen?"
14/33Her Ukulele
"I bought my ukulele last spring and I've been hooked ever since. I get so happy whenever I talk about it because it's an instrument I actually know how to play! After multiple failed attempts at playing the guitar, I have learned to settle for its little brother."
15/33Her Desk
"Sometimes it gets really difficult to keep my desk neat and organized, but I try my best! I like to save all my concert tickets, playbills, plane tickets and other similar items, so I keep them stored in those white bos from IKEA. Since I take most of my pictures for my blog, my tripod is always nearby!"
16/33Her Books
"In my free time, I like to catch up on my reading. My friends are always recommending books for me to read."
17/33Her Souvenirs
"I love the miniature Tabasco sauce I bought during a trip to California. The panda bear is actually a USB flash drive. Who says you can't be cute and studious at the same time?"
18/33Her Dolls
"My mom got me these authentic Matryoshka nesting dolls, and they are perfect for my desk. I like to store paper clips, staples, and notes in them."
19/33Her Cameras
"I like to keep my cameras within sight because I never know when I'm going to need to snap something really quickly!"
20/33Her Necklaces
"I saw this DIY picture frame necklace holder at my friend's apartment, and I thought I would give it a try. The necklace on the left was a birthday gift, the feathered necklace is from Forever21, I made the bow necklaces myself, and I bought the blue one in a Los Angeles vintage shop."
21/33Her Outfit
"I'm wearing a vintage shirt, an American Apparel circle skirt, a thrifted knit shawl, and penny loafers."
22/33Her DIY Projects
"My room is filled with DIY projects. I made the ruffled curtain after seeing a similar one at Urban Outfitters, and I fid up and painted the mirror."
23/33Her Pillows
"I’m always looking out for pillow DIY projects, and these button pillows are my favorite. I found them on Curbly.com [a DIY online resource]. I also made the body pillow at the back of my bed."
24/33Her Necklaces
"I enjoy going to New York City flea markets. I always find something good, like this black vintage tassel necklace. The other chains are from Forever21."
25/33Her Heels
"These Miu Miu Mary Janes are by far my favorite pair of shoes ever. I got them as a high school graduation gift from my parents, and they are one of my favorite staple items. You can never go wrong with a simple black pair of heels!"
26/33Her Closet
"I have too many clothes; they are bringing down my closet pole! I try to go by a rule that if I buy something new, I should donate something that I don't wear anymore. I love wearing vintage or vintage-inspired shoes. My bright yellow Hunter festival rain boots brighten up my day each time I wear them. I'm always going to music festivals, and they are a must!"
27/33Her Lighting
"To add a bit of light to your room, try hanging Christmas lights. I hung them in my closet because it can get a bit dark in there. That's my flower wreath and my favorite leather backpack that I thrifted for only twelve dollars!"
28/33Her Sunglasses
"I can't trust myself to buy a pair of expensive sunglasses because I'm always losing and misplacing them, so I usually just buy vintage ones."
29/33Her Hats
"I like to call the hat on the left my Indiana Jones hat. I found it at a garage sale for five dollars. A girl randomly gave me the Obey Fedora hat on the right at Coachella!"
30/33Her Handbags
"I love collecting vintage handbags, especially ones that have detachable straps. My favorite bag is the one in the left corner. It's vintage Dooney & Bourke."
31/33Her Shoes
"From top left to right, these are my H&M wedges, thrifted boots, Miu Miu Mary Janes, vintage heels from Brazil, vintage red heels, Modcloth platforms, thrifted wedges, vintage lace-up oords, and my Steve Madden wooden clog heels."
32/33Her Style
"I'm wearing a thrifted Ann Taylor sweater, a Ralph Lauren button-up shirt, and American Apparel pants. My shoes, belt and bag are thrifted, and the hat is from H&M."
33/33Her Makeup
"I like to keep it simple when it comes to makeup. I just apply a little bit of mascara and blush on my cheeks. It's important for me to keep my face moisturized, so I use a Clinique tinted moisturizer. Sometimes when I'm feeling adventurous, I'll apply CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain."
