Designing Dorm

from ugly to chic

A few years ago, friends Leigh Goodwyn and Leigh-ann Sprock were chatting about their interest in building a business. They had many friends whose children—as well as their own—were heading off to boarding school or to college. Naturally, the discussion of dorm-room décor was ever present. Soon, they discovered that few companies marketed to dorms.

Recognizing the challenges of inhabiting a small space, they created a collection that is functional and that captures the essence of designer décor. “Let’s face it, dorm rooms are typically pretty ugly spaces, concrete walls, industrial floors, lots of beige. We wanted to create a collection that would make the dorm room pop,” said Goodwyn.

Their brand (pronounced Lee-Do) features chic and globally inspired textiles full of color and global whimsy. “We wanted rich, luxurious textiles that you would typically source through a designer or design center, but at a price point affordable for dorm,” said Sprock. That proved difficult so LeighDeux designs and manufactures its own fabric. “We really knew nothing about making fabric, but my family was in textile machine manufacturing for 100 years,” said Goodwyn. Their soft goods are manufactured in the Carolinas and all of their products are sourced in the United States.

LeighDeux decided that it was not enough to simply launch their products so a portion of its proceeds will fund scholarships. Its mantra is simple: deck a dorm, prep a mind. “The scholarship fund is in development with the Foundation for the Carolinas, said Goodwyn.”

In addition to furniture, LeighDeux Dorm offers rugs, lamps, small-scale furniture and accessories—all sold exclusively online at leighdeux.com.