Thoughts on how to use Dark Academia without getting depressing. Especially as we head into the darker days of the year, there are some things to consider. What would you do to lighten up a space like this?
See my separate lengthy response. (I truly hope you take it in the spirit in which the “critique” was given.) Can’t wait to see the new end result.) Blessings!❤️
My room is Black Blue by Farrow and Ball and I love it… started with one wall painted with it and the others painted with Dulux Timeless and then went to three dark and now the entire room is dark. We have a white ceiling, flagstone floors, one quite big window and lots of different lighting and mirrors. Mirrors behind lamps are a great way to brighten the room… Our seating is a mix of cognac and dark brown leather and we have added colour and lighter shades in cushions, throws and lamp shades. Our furniture pieces are a mix of mid and light woods. We even matched our curtains to the wall colour and this is the only possible change I would make by perhaps going for a natural heavy linen. Happy and cosy for now tho. Love your videos and gentle presentation style 💞
Love ur channel..painting the secretary is a mistake. The grain stretch marks is old tiger wood oak which is very gorgeous, rare and desirable.....keep on...brilliant paint fix technique on the window mullions
The secretary table is made of tiger oak wood aka quarter sawn oak. It’s very special and high quality. The large oak trees needed to make these cuts are very hard to come by these days.
NOOOOO! Don’t paint the secretary desk. Paint will go into the pores of the wood and you will never get it out if you change your mind. It’s lovely. That color will come back into fashion-just wait awhile 🤗
The wood on the secretary is likely quartersawn oak. I’m refinishing a similar tone buffet and what worked super to strip the shellac and get rid of the orange dark stain was oven cleaner! Easy off Fume free in the blue can. Heavy spray to areas wait 15 minutes , scrub with scotch Britt pad and rinse with lots of water. I did mine outside. I sanded ( didn’t actually need too much) and will seal and then apply a small amount of gel stain,then top coat. Also, maybe some rub n buff for your dog bookends would work!
If you apply a coat of shellac before painting it will keep the paint from getting into the grain. Then you always have the option of stripping it at a later date.
Don’t paint the secretary. The history is more important than the aesthetic of the room. Give it someone else in the family who can appreciate it for what it is.
I am an avid hater of painting antique furniture and you have beautiful pieces so I wouldn’t dare suggest to paint any part of them! 😂 I love the dogs in black, but maybe lighter colored books will help them stand out more? Also, I LOVE the old chest in that spot flanked by the two leather chairs! 😍
This is my perfect solution too. I think that’s tiger oak and it’s gorgeous. I always say there is a special place in hell for people who paint antiques.
My sister has a rocking chair that has been in the family for 150 years. At some point (probably 1940’s or 50’s) my grandfather painted it a very ugly orange. My sister had it professionally refinished and it is an insanely beautiful piece!
I love the markings on the little secretary cabinet that you showed near the end of the video. I’m not opposed to painting furniture, but for this piece, I would hate to see all of the interesting wood texture get covered up. Also, I agree that although very beautiful, dark academia can get too dark. I like the contrast of the lighter colored curtains against the dark walls. 😊
I’m all ways inspired by your process and content. The “ stretch mark “ wood can be tiger oak or any wood with an interesting grain detail can be referred to as “ figured or figuring to the grain “ . Alternative to gilding the dog bookends might be to gild a flat piece of wood that could sit behind each dog , suggesting a silhouette. Have fun and do your thing !
Yes, I like that idea, too. The dogs look like Labrador Retrievers, and so should be left black. Gilding the dogs themselves would look weird and unnatural, I think.
Love the lighter curtains. That was my vote from the start. I prefer the God picture on the piano vs the black and white. A beautiful wood and fabric piano seat wood look lovely with your piano. I adore the bell you have in the middle of your front door. Thank you for sharing! ❤
Just being honest/ like a mother who wants to see her daughter thrive. In every aspect of life ..step back...way back and take a fresh look at everything....it doesn't have to be what is "in" right now to liok great❤
Start collecting mirrors. Some of the older ones which have some of the mirrored glass fading are still really pretty and reflective if you put them up high . They do not always need to be used as a looking glass. I wonder if you could use a mirror above your piano ?
There is a way to DIY a mirror to make it look antique. I like the look of faded, not too shiny mirrored surfaces. Candlelight would add some reflection after sundown. Would this fit into your Dark Academia space?
I would display sheet music on the music shelf. Look for classical music written by Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin. This is my own personal view of course but the piano is more than a piece of furniture. It is an instrument begging to be played! Music invites one to sit on the bench and play even if it is only “ Twinkle , twinkle little star “ which is a Mozart tune. So, make your piano inviting to musicians young and old. The piano bench should be comfortable. Put a cushion on your piano bench. Round antique piano stools which are adjustable by twisting up and down are so charming. Remember that piano benches and seats are places to sit so get creative ! 🎶
I think that's called Tiger Oak.. and it probably shouldn't be painted. It's such a special piece! I love what you've done to lighten up all the spaces.. On the dog bookends..maybe you can try white wax on it? I'm not sure if that's the answer but if you don't like it you could always remove it. Thanks for this wonderful video.. it's all looking so beautiful and is thoughtfully done❤
I love the way the wood desks and the leather chairs complement your blue walls. I think moving the green sofa to the other room, opened up this room to appear to be more of a library study where reading and piano playing occur without the weight of wall to wall furniture. You are a gifted curator ❣️
I always enjoying seeing your thought process as you make changes in your home. Sometimes you have to move things several times and your original idea doesn't always work but that also what makes it fun. I liked the green couch in the living room but also like the new setup with chairs and chest. Always fun to move things around and make changes.
I'm not against painting some furniture, but I would not paint your lovely quarter sawn oak secretary desk. I have a similar dresser. The wood is beautiful the way it is, and fits in so nicely in your home. I wondered about dark academia here in the PNW, where so much of our year is dark. I went for lighter green walls instead because of that. But I'm sure you can compensate with lighting and accessories. It could feel very cozy and snug.
Try lightly dry brushing the dark dog bookends with a rub and buff. Nerdforge RU-vid channel did this to a 3d sculpture in their fantasy studio makeover and it looked great. Drybrushing will keep the depth while beautifully highlighting the details of the bookends. Hope that helps! ❤
Oh please don't paint the secretary. Some things look dark because of the dark wall color, like the dog bookends. The gold frames pop in the dark room. I rethink things, too! You always encourage and inspire me. Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to the next video.
I know the doors, windows and moldings are being painted the same are part of the whole Dark Academia thing, but I really think if those went back to a white it would help with the depressing feeling. Textiles, patterns on the windows, and throws may help and cozy lighting. I guess I would try and think cozy.
Sarah, I appreciate how humble you are about your decorating. I don't feel qualified to give an opinion about your space, especially since you always have sparkling ideas. It is helpful that you show us that you change your mind and redo things. I thought I was supposed to get it right the first time but alas, that is apparently not how it goes. Two years into some remodeling I'm started to think about things differently and consider changes. Cheers
Smart idea to switch out the curtains Have you considered using the curtains that had the cream background with the small block print pattern that used to be in the room They were so pretty and could meld the room colors and lighten the look of the room too Love your style💛
I have an antique bookcase that was given to me by my parents for my thirtieth birthday. It’s very dark and anything I put in it just disappeared. To lighten the interior I took a piece of corrugated cardboard and covered it with a light cream fabric using spray adhesive. It was a quick, easy and inexpensive project. It’s been twenty five years and still looks great however if I change my mind I just take the cardboard out since it’s not adhering to the interior.
Wow! Total about-face on virtually all of the work you’ve done in this room! I’m so glad that you were brave enough to rethink the design of the room and not just stick with it because you had put so much time and effort into it! I admire you for that! I honestly never understood those dark brown plaid drapes with the beautiful blue walls and that gorgeous green sofa (they didn’t match anything in the room). The sofa was one of the best things in there and I really hope you put it back! It will be an absolute crime to paint that stunning tiger oak antique secretary! I know it’s not my home, but I would put the green sofa back in there, hang patterned drapes in cream, blue, green, with just a dash of red (eg., a pattern with green leaves and tiny red berries - for a pop of color). Place pillows on the sofa that have different patterns (plaid, floral, and solid) and also textures, but with similar colors as the drapes. Lay a classic, vintage thick wool oriental rug (also with the various colors) on the floor, and get a vintage (definitely NOT modern!) tiger oak coffee table, or at least an oak end table, to tie in with the oak secretary. If you added an antique oak end table, a coffee table with white legs and a green or blue painted top (or even an all-white coffee table) it would be so beautiful and tie in with the antique secretary. Once you do all of that, the bookcase will look fine just as it is. (Sorry to be critical, but I just couldn’t stay quiet on this one!)
When I think of dark academia, I think of a more masculine style with plaids, leather, bar cart, cigars, old books, which is becoming. You have a lot of masculine elements in the room; however, I don't think of lighter fabrics such as the lighter curtains. That seems more farmhouse style along with the white painted piano. I much prefer the darker curtains you have up. I love a dark and moody room at night with mood lighting. It's mysterious and cozy. I love the color of the walls, but the contrast of the lighter curtains is off for me.
The lighter curtains are looking the best, Please do NOT paint the desk. I looks so good. I am not sure why folks don't like the "orange" of wood. Maybe we should embrace the color. Find ways to compliment the colors. Adding lighter colored items would brighten corners too. I like the iron look of the dog bookends. I am wondering if you find themes for your tableaus on your shelves and tables, not be corny of course but it would bring your eye to the interesting items. A reading corner with books and a plant then maybe add attractive coasters for your intended tea/coffee/sherry glasses or cup. Make it inviting to sit and stay. I like the blue color on the walls and the "orange" wood compliments the blue. Dark academia is not for everyones' home, but I find it cozy and inviting. I do not like bare lightbulbs too much glare. Add soft corner lighting to bring people into the room Maybe sell the desk and find something you like better.
Try lining the secretary desk with wrapping paper or wallpaper. I’ve used sticky tack for this and it’s easy to remove later. You might need more mood lighting and lamps around the room to cut the darkness at night and bring it up to cozy levels.
Secretary desk: What if you cut decorative paper to shape and put inside the cubbies? Stiff paper (scrapbook or wallpaper) and just the size that it would stay without glue.
Don't gild the dogs. Try painting them creme first. And add some nice, friendly wallpaper behind the "stretchmark" secretary. I would change the artwork above the piano and maybe put the beautiful "Bless" sign somewhere in the hallway or next to the entry,. And I would really consider having more plants and bouquets - I find that very uplifting :-) Good luck!
I would leave the dark colored art on the piano, love the idea of your birds nest in the cloche’s but consider catching a butterfly or two and what you can do put them in a jar with a cotton ball that has nail polish remover then that will get them where they don’t beat their wings to tatters then you can use a straight pin to poke through their body and poke into side of nest or desired items. I used to have collected branches with interest to the bark and then had nest and butterflies until a earthquake ruined them from the top of my kitchen cabinets.
You've done a beautiful job creating a dark academia scheme, but playing with your accessories in a bright accent color (which you could easily change seasonally) would lighten things up without losing the theme. I'd choose something like a complementary shade of lavender or orange or mustard yellow by switching small things out like the books on the side table, a paperweight on a desk, pull chains on lamps, artwork, etc.
I love the direction you've gone in. Of course I loved it all white too. I especially love the lighter drapes in there, that was my choice when you put it out for a vote. Here's some of my thoughts for what they are worth. For that lampshade, what about using some opaque velum (even if you have to use 2 or 3 thicknesses of it to get the right diffusion of light) to get that effect? Instead of a "bulletin" board, what about a mirror with a beautiful frame with some ribbed fabric ribbon across it, so it will serve as a bulletin board, but will reflect and bring light into that corner but still be true to the Academia feel and your beautiful pictures will look perfect on it. For the black dog bookends, what about a dry brush of gold rather than a full coverage of gold. It will give you the look of age but be more subtle. Love the coral and the collected pieces, too.
I’m not done with the video yet, but here are my thoughts so far: 1) I prefer the existing artwork on the piano 2) Rather than painting the interior of the bookcase in the corner I would move the dog bookends and darker books there with the lighter interior for contrast 3) I thought the curtains were too dark when you talked about them before, so I agree with a lighter linen color 4) I personally prefer a light trim with dark walls - white or cream color for contrast. When you painted the trim dark I thought it was going to be too dark, but that may not be something you want to reverse now. 5) An Edison bulb, even without a shade, won’t give much light. You’d get more light with a regular soft white bulb and a light shade. 6) I’m betting a lot of these dark academia spaces probably have a lot of pot lights (which I personally don’t card for). I can’t remember how your ceiling trim is - could you add or move crown or cove molding away from the wall and ceiling so you could run some soft white LED strip lights hidden behind it that could bounce light up toward the ceiling throughout the room?
Hello Sweetie, I'm wondering how the setup in the living room is working for y'all not just astetictly as a family room without the couch? I personally loved the green in the space. I would definitely paint the book ends so you could change your mind at a further date. I love your transferware, it's very beautiful. I also had a thought, would Peel and Stick wallpaper hurt the Secretary?
I really love the green velvet sofa in there, too! I think she was headed in the right direction but just isn't ready for dark academia. It doesn't seem to be her natural style and she's fighting trying to make it happen (maybe thinking it's what her audience wants to see?) Personally, I loved where she WAS going - hoping she gets back on track and uses her professional skills to pull this through! She's such a sweetheart - I hate seeing her struggling.
It's all coming together nicely. I love allowing a room to evolve. Love to shop my own home for pieces to accent another room. I love the collected look! I am a lover of lots of color and multiple prints. Maybe a few more?
Your dark living room is very handsome and chic. The key to making such spaces cozier (especially at night) is lighting. A light in every corner is a must, the more light the better. Lamps, sconces and picture lights specifically, not overhead lighting. And of course, all lights should be on dimmers. I think you would enjoy this room much more in the evenings with generous layered lighting. And a well placed mirror or two is always helpful. Just a suggestion. Cheers!
You collect calendars-I collect old maps. I don’t have enough wall space for all of them, but I think it’s the dreamer in me that loves them so much. I must admit-I really, really like the brown windowpane curtains, but I understand how dark it might be at night. One idea you might try is using a double curtain rod to put the creamy curtains behind the brown ones. Or you could make a Roman shade from the creamy fabric to inset on the inside of the window.
I think the wood pattern on your secretary is tiger oak? I would never paint that or really any beautiful antique wood, but that's me and I know you like to paint wood. I also love the dog book ends black. You may get tired of a lot of gilt in years to come and the black will never get dated, perhaps? I loved the brown curtains but I have to agree, to lighten up the room in the PNW dreary winters, the lighter curtains look very lovely. How you have the energy to do this ongoing is beyond me, hahaha! My living room walls are the same color they have been for years even though I do redecorate the room here and there. Very inspiring I will say! oxJulia
I think the consensus is Do Not Paint the Secretary! And I agree wholeheartedly because the wood is beautiful and I don't see it very much. I love the look of wood against blue, it warms it up nicely, like trees against sky!
I sure appreciate you walking us through your thought processes. Thank you! I love your style, and I also love watching you put things together. I do the same thing. It all comes as we go….one thing morphing into another. We have one idea in the beginning of a project, but are free to change. I think that is where our personal style is realized!! Thanks, again! (I personally would not paint the quartersawn oak piece. It is so rich in character.)
The simplest way to lighten the space beneath the TV is to pull the books and dog bookends forward and add lighter object(s) behind them. Ideas are: plants, faux greenery, dried greenery, mirror, tray, plates/chargers, architectural salvage piece, etc. I think you will regret permanently alterring the bookends.
I have been off of YT for a few months and had no idea that you changed things up to dark academia! It looks absolutely beautiful with the walls and all the trim painted blue! I am a ride-or-die "woods & white" girl (have been since being just a little girl in the 80's), but I adore seeing how beautiful others are able to make their homes. Lovely!
I love the dog bookends as they are but if you want them to stand out more, maybe dry brush some antique bronze or gold and then lightly sand off to give it a worn look. Not the entire thing but some high points. Your home is beautiful!
As pretty as those gilded bookends in your inspo are I'd try adding some rub and buff to enhance the details of your dog bookends to lighten them first. If it's not enough you could then try the gilding. And if you go back for that book set put them between the dogs for a lighter look as the ones you currently have with them are pretty dark. I think swapping out the piano art is a good idea to help balance light and dark. And I agree with others - don't paint the secretary! Maybe there is a treatment to reduce the orange and lighten it a big but keep the wood grain? Also, what about adding in some candles inside unique vintage finds for some additional cozy brightness?
I think that’s tiger oak. So pretty. If you want to paint, please coat well by painting with 2 coats of shellac as primer. That will protect the wood from paint seeping into the pores.
To help lighten your room and keep the moodiness, you might try mercury or smoky glass panels on one wall. It would add reflection of light without being too bright.
I have several thoughts:1) I love your new placement of furniture with trunk and chairs. 2) I Love the secretary desk as is, not painted, open or closed according to how you feel in the moment. The darker furniture is so classy and upscale, it makes a beautiful statement. 3) I agree on painting the cabinet/shelf darker inside and out. The starkness of the white interior of the cabinet and the small table seem to clash with the style and mood that you are setting. I love the glass jar, but it looks like it would be better suited in a Coastal styled room with sea shells, or farmhouse style with flour, sugar or cookies in it in the kitchen. :) How about a Transferware Oval Platter sitting inside instead. A large reproduction Brass Hour-glass would also look nice. (I saw one in TJ Max a few months ago). 4) I think a small classic antique table, possibly with a marble top would be awesome instead of the white table. A Brass planter with faux Hobby Lobby greenery spilling over and/or a small antique lamp on top. And a vintage, gilded card game (I have a set) would fit the setting with the two awesome chairs. 5) I like the idea of recovering the chairs, possibly to coordinate with your beautiful pillows in your window seat - (which I also love). Your suggestion of the raw wood and waxed would probably be lovely, but also consider refinishing with fresh, dark stain and wax. 6) How about a large English style Hunting Scene with Dogs in a beautiful frame above one of your desks. The black dog bookends look classy as is! And a smaller antique landscape above the secretary instead of the shelf which I really like, but seems more farmhouse style to me. I enjoy and look forward to watching your channel. I love to decorate... I hope I didn't "talk" too much! :)
You can always put light xolored paper at the back of each of the secretary desk sections. I did ours that way. Nothing permanent. Use some mirrors to add light.
I think your shelf looks good painted white on the inside, bringing more light in. I like the paint looking lighter than your walls in the light. It looks good since it is the same tone.
I completely trust your ability to allow the room to tell you what it needs. After all, you spend your days and nights living in and with the room. I often time think I’m heading in one direction then suddenly the room organically tells me to shift my focus/direction. I will add that I do really love the secretary, with it’s more leaning red stain and all ❤❤.
Hello - 1. I think painting the bookshelf a darker blue as you suggest, and then applying a William Morris wallpaper (such as "Bird" in Webb's Blue or "Snakeshead" in Indigo/Cumin) would bring interest and life to the bookcase. I'm not sure the beadboard backing fits in with the Dark Acedemia style very well. 2. I think the dog bookends would be beautiful if they were painted with an antique gold or bronze paint (not a bright gold). That way if you don't like it or want to change it later, it wouldn't be permanent like gilding. 3. I wonder if it would be worth considering staining the secretary to diminish the striped (Tiger Oak, I'm guessing) woodgrain without covering it with paint. You have a number of painted surfaces and pieces (the window seat, bookcase, piano, and paneling) and I think it would be a lot of painted surface area. If the secretary is a dark paint, it might blend in with the walls, and if it's light it will be another bright contrast like the piano, which might seem jarring to the eye. 4. Although not my style, I wonder about a victorian style silk/fabric shade for the floor lamp (maybe with some fringe trim?). That would seem to fit the overall style you're going for in this room. 5. As for the window treatments, have you considered a silk or silk look drape in a soft green shade? It might be a way to bring in the green color in a fabric that also reflects light... I like the green sofa with the gilded table in the fireside room. If you don't like the size of the table, maybe a smaller scale, rectangular, gilded one would fit better. Your videos are very interesting and I enjoy watching (and learning!) as you work through the updates. This seems to be a particularly tricky style and you are bringing it together beautifully!
I am not a minimalist, but I DO believe anything in the house should be useful as well as pretty. I agree that you should definitely use those beautiful plates. As for the books, have you ever thought of just using a plain or decorative paper to cover them? Then as your taste changes, you can re-cover them. This is purely my opinion, but your living room is trying to be too many things. Do you really need the desk, the piano, all the little tables? All the pieces are beautiful, but they don't really speak to each other in a cohesive way. Bring the couch back in and put a nice, patterned throw on it so it doesn't get lost in the blue wall. Keep the leather chairs and add nice, patterned pillows, a nice coffee table or use the gilded bamboo one you redid. Keep the trunk to use with the leather chairs, depending on where you put them, of course. And add some real plants. I used to thrift small furniture pieces all the time, because they were the most affordable items, but then I just had too many little things filling up my spaces. It was hard getting rid of things that I had repurposed and painted, but my rooms look so much better now. I had been collecting things for when I was able to afford a remodel. Once I was able to tear down a wall, put wood floors in and get rid of the popcorn ceiling, it was so much fun to bring out all that stuff and put it to use. Some stayed, some just didn't work. I found out that I needed to stick with the style I really loved (modern/eclectic) and quit trying to make it something else. I can't wait to see what your finished rooms look like!
I love the color blue. I was surprised when you painted that room (the living room I think) blue but especially a dark blue. I thought for me it would just be too dark all the time. So I watched you pull it all together & it was beautifully done. It was really interesting especially the darker green couch with the lighter green pillows which I really liked. They weren’t quite puce, a color I absolutely love but would never be brave enough to put in my home, but they were a light green. Close enough. All that you did with that space Sarah was again beautiful. I think we all learned a lot watching you create it. Me personally I wouldn’t paint the secretary desk. Do you think if you just took the stain off of it to leave it natural that would be bad? It’d probably be too light though & throw everything off in the room.
Exchange your twp small round tables in each room. Throw a tan scarf casually over the white one when put next to the white piano for contrast. Do not paint the secretary. Enjoyed this video. Calming.
Sarah, your beautiful desk is tiger oak. The markings are reminiscent of the stripes on a tiger. Oak has high grains and low grains. Paint has a way of getting trapped or absorbed into the low grains. It is difficult to get paint out of the low grains if you get tired of the color and want to one day refinish it. I've heard you speak of going through a hard time with the passing of your mom. I've heard a change in the tone of your voice. I worry this new design is not something that truly makes you happy. You've used the word depressing. I enjoy your videos so much. I look forward to them. I wonder if your heart needs more time to heal before before undertaking such a drastic change. Maybe you need a minute to breathe. You've gone through great sadness.
I like the idea of the White linen curtains!! The darkness would bother me too. Last winter, I bought an antique high boy dresser with the same type of wood. I do believe it’s a tiger oak. I gave it a good washing, and then sealed it with a nontoxic wax.
Love the subtle changes. They seemed to really make a difference without changing the overall look. I think painting the inside of the secretary is a good idea but have you considered using a furniture balm to freshen up the smell or possibly using a furniture transfer instead? Both are great options. I personally love the dixxii bell tobacco flower wax. How did the chairs come out? Did the cleaner work? You have quite a lovely home.
Your secretary is quarter sawn (I would say oak) it's actually a more expensive material to use than plain sawn. I'm a cabinetmaker by trade, it's funny I've never thought of it looking like stretch marks but now that you've mentioned it I'll probably never be able to think of it any other way! 😄
I didn’t know that Folex could be used on upholstery but I’ve used it many times on carpets and it works wonders. I really love the dark academia. Definitely switch out the piano art, the black and white feels more sophisticated IMO
Thank you for sharing your beautiful transformation! It makes all of your wood pieces and your white pieces pop! I have been over the white interior design decor along time ago, and I am so happy to see this improvement In your decor! It looks very old time English, beautiful choice of colors. Beautiful choice of decor! Everything looks awesome!
To keep your academia moody look, add lamps with gilded or gold painted shades with warm bulbs. Add all books in book shelves with random book spines and pages exposed. Paint frame of the white chairs with gold paint and reupholster the white seats in the fabric of the brown pane drapes. Bring the sofa back into the room. I cherish wood furniture so I would not paint them but rub n buff any hardware on them. Since the piano has been painted then paint it black with gold trim. Accessories on the flat surfaces can always be changed out with paint and rub n buff.
Loving your vid on rearranging- it's a favorite seasonal shake-up for me, too. Two tips for changing surfaces without permanent alteration- For your dog bookends, have you tried Rub N Buff? It's a durable wax that comes in several shades of gilt but removes with alcohol if ever necessary. I've gilded several metal lamps, then lightly dabbed brown tinted wax into crevices for an extra aged look with good success. Brown tinted wax might also be perfect for knocking back the red tones of your quarter-sawn oak desk (I've taken a few reddish pieces down to browner tones in this way). It's current finish looks good, and it would be so permanent to paint it. Light curtains would be a beautiful contrast in your living room... full-on dark academia may be one of those styles that is beautiful, but hard to live with 24/7. Surely there is a happy medium between Light and Dark Academia? Thank you for taking us along on your journey..
Green sofa is beautiful, but I never liked it with the blue walls- the colors were in competition. Taking out the other rug was a good idea. I love the brown chairs in there- they have the right look. What about a pillow on each chair? The room needs some prints. Love the trunk with the brown chairs. Although, I do not think that you have the 'right' lighting in the room. This is why the room is dark at night. A nice cozy lamp placed on the middle of your trunk would be handsome and practical. I would re-try the brown curtains since you removed the green sofa. I do like the painting that is on your piano- but would move it somewhere else. Though, I would not replace it with that photo. I would 'not' paint or guild the dog bookends; but would move them to the tall skinny shelf that you had in the corner- or on top of your piano.They would look nice against the light color paint. I liked that skinny cabinet painted the antique white better (the same color as the piano). I love the old wood desks and hope that you do not paint them. They need lamps with pretty printed shades. How did the chair cleaning turn out, and where will you be putting those 2 chairs? You have an eye for charm and beauty.
I would keep the artwork on the piano. I certainly would not paint the secretary. That looks like an antique. I would use light curtains to keep the room a little brighter. I prefer light bright rooms so I can’t offer too much advice, I understand some people love the dark look but during the winter it would be very depressing for me
A white or ivory large platter behind the dog bookends would make them pop, or frame a light colored wall paper. I have a mid-tone wood bookshelf that I style with my Labrador figurines. I use ivory plates on a plate stand behind them so they pop. I love the brown window treatments, maybe try some uplighting in the corners for ambiance. And, please don't paint the secretary.
We use Folex all the time....even in our carpet cleaning machine. We keep a small squirt bottle in my purse to use on spot at the restaurant on his shirt/ my blouse, etc. Ha Ha. Ages 82 and 80 respectively....as a prewash ....until we get hime....have been using it for years....luv it. We ger it in a one gallon container to keep our apray bottle full....great on counters....we have formica counters....as a pre wash on carpet after vacuuming...we spray the the traffic areas throughout the house ...then use the machine. We have a med light grey carpet. .
Definitely lightning the curtains up is going to make a difference. Also think that for the lampshade could you use like a wicker. It might not go with dark academia but I do feel like it is eclectic like you were looking for. I feel like maybe The door should be lightened up. It seems like almost a different color than the walls but also it could have been the lighting. Maybe even changing the color of that all together. All in all I give you thumbs up for sticking with dark academia... When it seems later shades are more popular. It's nice to see variety.
I don’ t like painting wood pieces. I always thought plain lighter drapes would brighten the living room. Also bring a lighter lamp shade in to the room to balance your draperies. I know your on the right decision process. You will get their. Rub and buff on the dog book ends. I would put some lighter vintage background art work on walls where needed. Love your thinking process. Helps me get educated and think what I would do if I have things I would like to change.
You could paint the inside of the corner shelf in the dark door colour, for a cohesive look. Maybe use a splash of that dark black (?) door colour with the blue, to tone it down a degree? Old brown leather books would look so good with it.
By the way, if you use a furniture, oiling application, such as feed n wax wood, polish and conditioner, by Howard it will darken your furniture, just a tad and take care of that orange tone.
Totally on the same page with you with all the little changes. Moving the couch, great idea. Now it really stands out. Absolutely. Love the chairs with the trunk and cream curtains! I'm also a calendar lover, makes me feel happy inside. Can't pin down why❤. Nostalgic almost. I think you're really fine-tuning things
I think that instead of painting furniture to brighten the room, you need to choose lighter and brighter accent pieces such as light colored books, light colored lampshades and white Knick nacks. The chair at your desk is quite white and I would recommend a vintage wooden chair. Just some thoughts but it is a beautiful room.
