The Clarion December 10, 1990 Page 7
Lofts lift rooms to
new creative heights
by Alexandro Hernandez
Clarion Reporter
At this time of year, the Clarion
traditionally salutes those creative and
innovative few who make a home out of
their dorm rooms.
Here at Brevard, students are given
a small cubicle made out of concrete and
cinder blocks and furnished with basic
furniture. The dorms that we are to call
"home" at first appear cold, unfriendly
and downright scary.
Few are the students who execute
their rights as creative human beings
and decorate their rooms with new ideas
and ways of making the dorms suit their
needs.
But there are those who have
discovered that it is possible to create
something exciting out of your basic
college dormroom.
The primary device used by Brevard
students is the loft. Lots and lots of
lofts (sounds like a commercial) fill
rooms all around campus to add that
certain.... je ne sais quoi, allowing a
room to feel "homey."
One such room with the touch of
classe is that of Jason Shank and Lee
Cook in Green. The loft was built by
Jason and his dad, and, along with Lee's
curtains, creates a soft atmosphere. In
addition, Jason filled the room with
three plants, which he calls Mary, Jill
and Juana.
Over in East Beam, Jeff Yellen and
Jim Coale have room that has that
touch of home, too. Jeffs loft creates a
living room area which supports a
couch, coffee table and Jim's home
entertainment center. The beds are
underneath the low loft and Jim's bed is
only accessible by crawling through the
desk.
Both roommates are proud of their
place. Jeff says, "The room...it's the
pad." The English translation for that is:
home sweet home.
Moving on from atmosphere lo
convenience, a loft can almost double
your room's space - which takes us lo
the room of John McDowell and
Michael Eaton in Green where their loft
covers almost the entire room. The loft
was built by the roommates along with
RD Gary Hassett. Both roommates
value their loft for its uniqueness and
convenience. "Come see for yourself,"
says Michael with a grin, "It's worth the
$2 admission charge."
A loft is not the only creative
answer to dormroom conversion.
Carpeting, pillows, a picture or two,
and something that resembles home to
you can ease the transition to college
life.
In room 115 of Green, Chris
Shuler and Kip Lowery have learned
recycling the '90s way. They took two
used lofts, and put them together in
such a way as to separate their living
space from their entrance, creating a
hallway for privacy.
Next and finally, we go to West
Beam 248 where Julie Connell, Jennifer
Ainsworth and Emilee Wilkins share a
room. The loft here, built by Emilee's
dad, is unique because it provides bunks
for all three women as well as shelf
sp^e.
The traditional loft-type room of Jason Shank, above, and Lee
Cook, absent, in Green is enhanced by curtains and house plants.
T
r
rrten 111 ""
The huge overhead loft m G
high ceilings.
of the loft. (Clarion photos by Reid Morrison)