Room Service: Ember Larregui's Room Makeover
Technically speaking, there was nothing wrong with Teen Vogue's latest room-makeover winner Ember Larregui's old room—but that's because there was nothing in it. "A bed and a TV stand—that's it," recalls Ember, a seventh-grade honors student from Bayonne, New Jersey. Her sheer lack of stuff—coupled with the fact that Ember's mother wrote a touching entry essay on behalf of her daughter—earned the twelve-year-old the grand prize. "I have the best mom in the world," Ember says.
We have to agree. Teen Vogue tapped Chicago-based duo Lauren Gold and Sasha Adler of Oprah-approved Nate Berkus Associates to turn Ember's bare-bones room into a stylish yet fun space befitting our new bedding sets, Violet Femme and Lilac Hill (available at Bed Bath & Beyond). "We wanted it to feel cool and pulled together," Sasha says.
Also at the top of their agenda? Creating a space that felt personal to Ember, an avid reader and die-hard Harry Potter fan with a thing for the color purple. Thanks to details like a set of Penguin hardcover classics, a grape-hued stool from Chicago's Chiasso, quirky Potter-themed illustrations from L.A.-based artist Nan Lawson, and letter plates from home-goods guru John Derian, the task was complete.
The only problem? "I'm so excited, I won't be able to sleep tonight," Ember said, upon seeing her new digs. At least she'll have a cool new room to toss and turn in. —AMANDA FITZSIMONS
_HOUSE PROUD Twelve-year-old Ember in her revamped digs in front of a blown-up print of _
1/9One lucky reader wins Teen Vogue's newest bedding—and a complete room overhaul.
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ART CLASS Looking for a fun alternative to a movie poster? Crafts website Etsy has endless pop culture-themed illustrations, like these Harry Potter-inspired prints from L.A.-based artist Nan Lawson. Give them a finished feel with pre-matted frames from Ikea.
MATERIAL GIRL Give your bed the royal treatment by fashioning a princess canopy out of a pair of curtains, like these from Anthropologie.
ULTRA VIOLET Think pink and purple are just for kids? The pilated pattern of ’s Violet Femme set—available at Bed Bath & Beyond—elevates them from girly to grownup. Frame it with this tufted headboard from Restoration Hardware Baby & Child.
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TEXT MESSAGE Add a personal touch to your room by tacking letter plates, like these from John Derian, to your wall, and hanging a chalkboard for notes and drawings.
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SHELF LIFE Wall shelves with bright details, like these Ikea versions with a red base, make a room pop. Add on a set of stylish hardcover books for extra impact. Bookworms like Ember will love Penguin’s colorful collection of classics.
SELF-REFLECTION Mirrored furniture can open up a small space. Here, a West Elm console is used as a desk.
SIGN LANGUAGE Small details can have a big impact. This multicolored needlepoint pillow from Jonathan Adler—which comes in every horoscope sign—makes ’s butterfly chair (available at Bed Bath & Beyond) even more fun.
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AQUA FRESH Transform your bedroom in no time just by changing your sheets. ’s Lilac Hill set—available at Bed Bath & Beyond—brings a totally different floral vibe to Ember’s room.
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BLUE RIBBON DIY alert! Personalize a desk lamp by adding a ribbon trim to its shade. Another bright idea? A hot-pink laptop, like this one from HP.
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Ember’s room re-do wouldn’t have come together without Lauren Gold and Sasha Adler, the creative force behind this bedroom transformation. Teen Vogue got to know the design duo from Nate Berkus Associates.
Teen Vogue: What was your big break in interior decorating and design?
Lauren: "I have always had a hand in design because my family is in the furniture business. However, my big break occurred the summer before my senior year of college when I got a true taste for the interior design industry as an intern for Nate. I have been here ever since."
Sasha: "After working in the fashion industry, I moved back to Chicago where Lauren introduced me to Nate. I definitely consider my internship at his firm to be my big break."
Teen Vogue: What was unique about Ember’s room makeover for you?
Lauren and Sasha: "We were so thrilled to work with Teen Vogue to design Ember’s bedroom. This project was atypical from our others because we always have the opportunity to get to know our clients in person before designing their homes. But, with Ember, we learned about her likes and dislikes over the phone. This challenge pushed us to be even more thoughtful and aware of her needs, helping make the space extra personal."
Teen Vogue: What do you think of the Teen Vogue bedding collection?
Lauren and Sasha: "We thought Teen Vogue’s bedding collection was colorful and playful, yet sophisticated. We could even see ourselves wearing the prints!"
Teen Vogue: What are your tips about revamping your bedroom on a budget?
Lauren and Sasha: "Small details and thoughtful touches can have a big impact on making your space feel warm and reflective of your personality. Simple details like coming up with a creative way to display your favorite personal photos or turning an old sweater into a decorative pillow can make a big difference."
