Students Receive Special Residence Hall Makeover by Walmart and Home by Novogratz Team

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Celebrity designer Cortney Novogratz.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Walmart and celebrity design duo Cortney and Bob Novogratz surprised unsuspecting college students at the University of Arkansas with a brand new common area in Pomfret Hall, filling it with school spirit and style. Several dozen students and staff were on hand as the new space was revealed, providing a comfortable, stylish room to welcome the hundreds of students and visitors who pass through the doors of Pomfret Hall each day.

“Like Walmart, University Housing shares a similar passion to help our residents live better,” said Jeff Vinger, director of residential facilities at the U of A. “We are extremely grateful to Walmart in providing this makeover to our Pomfret main entrance. It makes our facility more like home for our nearly 800 residents at Pomfret Hall. Thank you to the entire team who made this makeover possible. It makes a huge impact on our facility and a positive impact to our residents and their community.”

During the new space reveal, students were also surprised with merchandise like towels, bedding, and other dorm essentials from Walmart to get their year started on the right note. Walmart, which is in the middle of its back-to-college season, also provided a Vizio E-series 65-inch Smart TV.

“Move-in days are exciting times on campus and in our local stores,” said John Forrest Ales, Walmart spokesperson. “We know that students watch their spending and we are excited to show that you can have a warm, comfortable and stylish space without having to break the bank. Helping our customers and giving back to our communities is what we’re all about. We take care of students all year long at our Walmart on Campus right here on the Hill and in our stores across the region.”

The hosts of HGTV’s “Home by Novogratz,” Cortney and Bob Novogratz, were also on site to share tips and tricks for redesigning small spaces on a budget and speak to the inspiration for their new product line launching exclusively on Walmart.com in September.

“College students are often on a tight budget, but they shouldn’t have to sacrifice style,” said designer Cortney Novogratz. “We’re working with Walmart.com to carry our new 9 by Novogratz line exclusively because they share our belief in affordable style. Walmart helps design-minded people on a budget stay on top of trends, making style convenient and affordable for everyone.”

As a go-to destination for affordable style, the company said, Walmart delivers high-quality products for low prices both in stores and online. Customers can easily mix and match their favorite patterns and styles with an increased assortment from top brands like Better Homes and Gardens and Libby Langdon, along with newcomers like the 9 by Novogratz line. More information is available at any local Walmart store or at www.walmart.com.

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, more than 245 million customers and members visit our almost 11,000 stores under 71 banners in 27 countries and ecommerce websites in 10 countries. With fiscal year 2014 sales of over $473 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.