Don’t ask how, but three NIU students have managed to transform their ramshackled residence into a ramshackled residence with a fake hot tub.

Senior English major Scott Huyvaert, Sam Jeser, a senior corporate communication major, and Mike Marin, a sophomore pre-physical therapy major, have lived together for a year at 1111 Spiros Court, Apt. 7.

While much of the apartment required renovation when they moved in, the guys set their priorities early on by building a bar in the living room.

“We had zero furniture for the first 48 hours, but we had a bar,” Huyvaert said. “I built it before any of the other guys got here out of wood I got from work.”

The trio chose to play up their wacky sense of humor in the “design” of the living room. Above the bar, a $1 Superman toy flies around in circles, while the living room features a framed Elvis picture and bumper pool table. The room is also home to two unofficial roommates: Baby the hamster and Trogdor the snake. Trogdor, the consummate party animal, actually resides in a terrarium inside the bar.

Soon after building the bar, Jeser, Huyvaert and Marin put the cherry on top of their sweet apartment – a hot tub of sorts. The threesome frequently soak in an inflatable kiddie pool.

“It probably holds over four gallons,” Jeser said.

A standard business “Open/Closed” sign hangs on the front door of their pad. The seemingly innocuous piece has caused some interesting incidents in the past.

“The FedEx guy came over one day and just walked right in because the sign said open,” Jeser said. “He thought we were a business.”

The roommates went out of their way to make sure each of their private domains showcased individual personalities.

Jeser’s room is pimped out in leopard print and 1950s-style décor. His closet holds a treasured vintage guitar.

“My great uncle gave it to me,” Jeser said. “I try to write some music every once in a while.”

Thanks to a rather unusual floor plan, one-third of Marin’s domicile is at waist-level.

“He calls it his fort,” Jeser said.

Huyvaert said his own room is in chaos at the moment.

“It’s under construction right now; a work in progress if you will,” Huyvaert said, “I have a huge Deftones poster, though.”

Despite the presence of an artificial hot tub and Trogdor the snake, Jeser’s most prized possession is his pimped-out ride.

His “classic” 1992 Honda Civic features duct tape racing stripes and sports a No. 3 on the hood. As classy as the car might sound, it does have its drawbacks. For instance, the duct tape stripes are actually holding the hood and trunk closed.

“It’s first-class all the way,” Jeser said.

Sure, just like the hot tub.