It’s just about time for college students to return to campus and move into their new homes — be they tiny dorm rooms or even smaller apartments. In Young Jane Young — the new novel by Gabrielle Zevin, the author of international bestseller The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry — Congressional intern Aviva Grossman moves from her on-campus dorm to a small studio apartment. With some help from her mother Rachel, Aviva creates a “shabby chic” living space. Here’s Rachel and Aviva’s list of essentials to pull off that classic “soft but worn in” look:

Renovated furniture from Goodwill

Various antique store finds

Decorative bowls to hold seashells or other assortments

White paint for the walls

Basically any curtains that aren’t blackout curtains

A genuine birch Wegner Wishbone chair

A pedestrian grocery store orchid

As much white furniture as possible

And, of course, you’ll need a fabulous collection of books to go with all that white furniture. You can add Young Jane Young to your bookshelves beginning August 22.