Interviews by Frances Channer

Photography by Olivia Beech

Name: Noemie Jouas

Major: Management

I grew up travelling a lot which meant that I lived in many different rooms, 11 to be specific. They were all different in their own ways but I am never attached to the place that I live in as I know in a few years I will have to part ways with it. This room is different. I have grown the most in this room, everything that I see in this room reminds me of my hard work and my love for fashion design. This rack of garments remind me of the ridiculous number of hours that I've put towards creating new garments. My industrial sewing machine has and continues to help me create the pieces that I love and reminds me of the £1000 funding that I received last year to invest into my business. The posters on my wall say a lot about me. They shows my favourite colours, the fashion that I am passionate about, pieces of home and posters from my favourite movie. I think this room will be the most difficult to leave when I graduate, but in the mean time, I'm looking forward to all the memories I will create in it.

Name: Theo Wilson

Major: Medieval History and Archaeology

There comes a point in every person’s life when the unexpected happened. For me, it was not the surprise fiver floating away from the slightly bedraggled canvas remains of F.S, nor was it the fact that at five in the morning, I found myself (willingly) going swimming in the North Sea. Instead, it was the request to see if I would be keen to take part in this photoshoot. Immediately flattered (I am very vain), I agreed, citing my previously unacclaimed charm and good looks. Needless to say, these wistful thoughts were brought to a sudden halt when I was informed that I had been asked, not on account of these, but because of my unusual degree.

It is, I hasten to add, MEDIEVAL HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY. I can imagine some of you have now been brought to a sudden halt, the fear and dread of another historian drawling on and on about their (sometimes) dry subject engulfs you. Well, I’m afraid I must apologise, because I’m about do just that.

Medieval History and Archaeology is an eclectic mix I am the first to admit, especially when there are no archaeology modules available for the first two years of your degree. Yet, when third year hits, you are swept away into the world of test pits, trenches and lots of people looking at you in a slightly puzzled manner when you pull out a Current Archaeology magazine as part of your ‘reading round the subject’ quota.

But enough of my digressions and back to the main reason for this article.

For me, my bedroom is a place to work, sleep and generally bumble around. I must confess I do not spend too much time in it (awake at least). Yet, oddly enough, there is a quiet contentment here which I rather enjoy. With my bedroom facing out onto the green playing fields of Madras College, I am not disturbed in my slumber by the slow, sometimes stumbling, crocodile of students making their way to the Union on a Friday, Saturday or, if you are woke enough, Sunday. From my window, I can even see the white flecked waves of the sea which adds to its idyllic tranquillity. Though it is fairly cramped (I probably have too many random bits and bobs), it really is my home away from home. Sitting at my desk as I write, I notice that my room reflects my eclectic tastes. I am surrounded by the piles of books with titles ranging from Malcom Barber’s ‘The Two Cities’, ‘History of Philosophy’ and Delia Smith’s Complete Collection (I am a bit of a foodie). Turning around and looking around my room, I see the muddy running shoes, the battered tool kit (I love DIY) and the violin poking out from under the bed. Postcards and letters are proudly displayed on the chest of drawers. It might be not much, but it is my room.

Name: Raphaelle Daoglio

Major: German and Management

Am Raphaelle from Paris, France. I study Management and German and am in fourth year. I love the natural light and blue carpet in my room which makes it really bright. I also have added some little touches that have made it feel like my own space that also reminds me of my Parisian home. I love art and I also sing, so I always have some music lying around and I collect the postcard versions of my favourite paintings when I visit museums. I also have some French books, honey and special coloured pencils.

Name: Henry Parle

Major: Neuroscience

To me, my house is classic St Andrews; it’s old, elegant and a little bit odd! I moved into this room in September and decided to completely change things up. It’s quite a large space so it needed a few little touches adding to make it really feel like home. My favourite colour is blue and I have had my tapestry for such a long time now, but never had a big enough wall to hand it on, so it seemed like fate when this room was perfect for it! From there I decided to add little hints of blue throughout my room from cushions, thrown and even my candles (p.s. do not tell my landlord about the candles!)

I was so lucky when my room this year came with such a cool fireplace, it is the perfect place to make the aesthetic centre of my room, adding pictures of my friends and family along with yet more candles! On the other side of the room sits my many wardrobes and my coat rail. This corner of the room is perfect for getting ready in the morning, with lots of mirrors and plenty of natural light.

Name: Frances Channer

Major: Art History

Having gone to boarding school my bedroom aesthetic was constantly changing, from being covered from floor to ceiling in photographs to the more minimal state it is now. I have left behind the excessive amount of stuffed toys and have embraced the grown-up notion of scatter cushions! My room is centered around a simple colour palette of pinks and peaches emphasised by the neutral greys. I am very privileged to live in a gorgeous flat so I wanted to accentuate this by surrounding myself with sentimental items. The cushions on my bed were handmade by my mum and are filled with lavender from my garden at home, so always reminds me of family. The 17-year-old in me still lives on as I have a few photographs of loved ones on my desk, but now they are surrounded by exhibition postcards and my favourite poem; A Note from the Beach by Matt Haig. I love to wake up to the radio over the intrusive sound of my phone alarm, so Jazz fm is usually radiating from my room. The natural light always makes it so bright and welcoming, on the rare days when it is not raining or the seagulls aren’t squawking at you. No university room would be complete without fairy lights so naturally, I had to include them! Everyone’s bedroom is a form of self-expression, personally, my room is about creating an atmosphere that is calm and filled with things that make me happy.

Bedrooms of St Andrews