USC Students Spend About $1,300 Transforming Freshman Dorm with Flea Market Finds and Film Set Pieces (Exclusive)

**USC Students Create Vintage-Inspired Dormitory Sanctuary**

Eion Nunez, a student at the University of Southern California (USC), has recently shared the impressive transformation of his freshman dormitory, marking a remarkable journey from bland institutional space to a vibrant vintage haven. Alongside his roommate, Orson Ford, Nunez dedicated a month to revamping their Parkside Apartments unit into a unique home filled with antiques, film memorabilia, and various eclectic finds, resembling more of an apartment than student accommodation.

Reflecting on their undertaking, Nunez, 19, explained that the duo’s shared background at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts laid the groundwork for their creative project. Both had a longstanding passion for vintage pieces, having collected antiques over the years. Thus, when they were accepted to USC, they seized the opportunity to craft an inviting living space that echoed their aesthetic preferences and personal interests.

The dorm remodel sat well beyond the ordinary framework of typical college housing, with its charming living room, kitchen, bathroom, and shared bedroom areas. Nunez even provided a glimpse of their finished creation on TikTok, where he detailed the DIY aspect of their renovation, including the installation of carpeting and wallpaper—tasks that they undertook on their own.

Interestingly, the duo had not originally chosen Parkside Apartments for its design potential. Nunez mentioned that their housing selection was somewhat last-minute and motivated largely by a desire for air conditioning, which they soon realised the building lacked. Nevertheless, once they discovered the spaciousness of their dorm, they decided it was a perfect canvas to work on.

Nunez and Ford did not enter the project with a meticulous plan or mood board but relied predominantly on their intuition and shared taste. Their decor developed organically, driven by budget constraints and a passion for aesthetic. Film culture played a significant role in their design; the room featured elements like a director’s chair, a poster from “Brazil,” and clothing items from Nunez’s personal vintage collection.

Throughout the academic year, the duo estimated their total expenditure on the project to range between £800 and £1,000, with around £160 allocated specifically for wallpaper sourced from Amazon. However, they also incorporated a variety of complimentary items, courtesy of their connections in the film industry. For instance, they obtained their fireplace for free from a film set, and an old popcorn machine that boasted its own cinematic history was acquired after Nunez and Ford insisted upon returning home with it after working on a production.

While only limited in their ability to remove furniture initially provided by USC, the pair creatively rearranged the pre-existing pieces to accommodate their vision. This required hiding certain unwanted furniture in designated corners, closets, or beneath their beds. The outcome was a space that enabled them to host friends and collaborate on various film projects while providing a warm and inviting area for relaxation.

After completing the year, Nunez and Ford placed their belongings into storage, but plans for further transformation didn’t end there. Over the summer, the two explored flea markets across Los Angeles, setting out as early as 5 a.m. to hunt for vintage treasures, clothing, and furniture that could enhance their living space even further.

Now that they have moved into a larger six-person residence that features two bathrooms, a dining room, kitchen, and communal living area, Nunez and his roommates are reinvigorating their decorating efforts. They have already begun carpeting and wallpapering their new home, with ambitions to cultivate a cohesive aesthetic that retains their vintage style while allowing for individual expression within the various rooms.

With a particular focus on creating a complete and personalised bedroom this time around, Nunez expressed enthusiasm for revealing their finished space soon. As for surpassing the unique features of last year’s dorm—complete with a fireplace and popcorn machine—Nunez is confident: “I think we blew last year out of the water.”

Through their creativity and resourcefulness, Nunez and Ford have proven that student living can extend well beyond basic functionality, transforming ordinary dorm settings into spaces brimming with character and personal touch.