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by Sierra Tishgart
Photographed by Mark Iantosca

Though this rising sophomore now resides in New York, her space has a California beach aesthetic.

Name: Augusta Dayton
Age: 19
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Current City: New York, N.Y.
College: Barnard College
Majors: Philosophy and Architecture

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  • Her Bed

    "The vintage boat painting was one of my biggest scores. I got it at the Brooklyn Flea Market for $20. Since I'm from the coast of California and grew up with the ocean at my doorstep, I wanted to take that with me to New York City, and this was the best I could do!) My bedding is from West Elm. Having a quilt is nice because your sheets don't get dirty every time someone sits on your bed. I looked all over for the right bedside table, but what ended up working the best was a $5 foldable one from Bed, Bath, and Beyond."

  • Her Wall Décor

    "The silhouettes of my parents are placed in cardboard frames I made out of storage boxes. The 'It's Ok' flag I got off Etsy. I'm really into the Boy Scouts aesthetic, and I like that the flag contradicts the pride element that often comes with such an aesthetic. Other framed items are Yoko Ono's 'A Hole to See the Sky Through' and the other is a woman looking through a picture frame."

  • Her Portrait

    "The portrait printed against the back of my desk is of Korla Pandit, an artist from the 60s known as 'The Godfather of Exotica.' I printed his photo out from a website which allows you to blow photos up for free—this is key to cheap dorm decoration. The photos hanging on the wall are old animal charts from the 1800s. In between them is an old postcard of one of the Barnard buildings at the turn of the 20th century. Instead of buying a college sweatshirt, I went on eBay and bought that."

  • Her Hat

    "This is a red hat from Madewell hung by a command hook you get at the hardware store. They're essential!"

  • Her Necklace

    "Growing up in southern California, Mexico was both literally and figuratively close to my heart. I actually own an entire Mariachi costume... which I have worn to class. This mirrored wall fixture was purchased in Mexico City, along with the Dia de los Muertos necklace. I love the Mexican kitsch aesthetic."

  • Her Flowers

    "Flowers in a dorm are important. A dorm room can often feel sterile or dusty. Adding flowers makes it seem like it has a life of its own. The funny sculptural yellow flowers are my favorite because they don't need water and last forever. Between those and Peonies I am a very happy gal. Behind the flowers is a vintage Boy Scouts poster with instructions on knots, constellations, ornithology, and other things to preoccupy the mind."

  • Her Desk

    "You'll learn that in a dorm, things tend to double up for multiple use. My desk is also an extension of my closet, as well as a space to display my favorite things. I personally like to be surrounded by things that make me happy when I'm working. The trick is not to have too many things—otherwise comfort turns into distraction. On the left is a vintage Samsonite luggage piece I use as extra storage."

  • Her Bookshelf

    "People will tell you not to bring any books to college. I did, and I'm glad. Being surrounded by your favorite books warms up any room. Don't just bring your favorite novels; bring books that you can look through for inspiration in the middle of a paper or a study break. I have book of Egon Schiele paintings, Max Ernst's graphic novel Une Semaine de Bonte, Chris Ware's sketchbook, my architecture sketchbook, Lydia Davis short stories, and Pictorial Webster's: A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities. Next to the books is an acupuncture ear model I got from Pearl River Market."

  • Her Street Style

    "I find that college and New York has made wearing clothes more exciting. Suddenly, I add scarves and coats and boots, which weren't necessary in Los Angeles. My coat is from Stevel Alan, my pants from Madewell, boots by 1937, purse from APC, striped Sweater by Cos (Paris), and my sunglasses are vintage."

  • Augusta

Filled with antique maps, vintage Boy Scouts posters and an acupuncture ear model, Augusta Dayton's room is not that of your average fashion-forward girl. The 19-year-old student, who rocks APC and vintage Chanel, chose to decorate her small space with items that reflect her eclectic personal interests. How many fashion pioneers have worked at the Museum of Jurassic Technology and play the banjo? Augusta's dorm decorating outlook is that each item should be thoughtful and symbolic—she proudly displays her guitar alongside a portrait of one of her favorite artists. Though her room is filled with interesting nicks-knacks, Augusta knows the importance of making a dorm room feel like home. She's achieved this by displaying silhouettes of her parents on her wall and framing a painting of the ocean. Read on to see how Augusta incorporated elements of her California upbringing into her uptown New York haven.

Teen Vogue 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 photo of yourself!) plus your age, location and telephone number to be considered for the next A Room of My Own online feature.

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