Have you heard of dark academia?

It's like a combination of darker, gothic elements combined with a preppy ivy league and Victorian style. It's not a new thing, dark academia is popular in the fashion world, and it has gained popularity in the decor world too. Think Harry Potter vibes.

I love the look and lucky for me, black is having a moment at my house!

Some of my blogging friends and I are recreating the esthetic in our own homes for this edition of Thrift the Look!

Dark Academia Decor - Thrift the Look

The Thrift the Look challenges are the brainchild of Sarah from Sadie Seasongoods. For these challenges, we choose a theme, and then we each choose an inspirational photo and share how we recreate the look with thrifted items and a little DIY. You'll be able to check out the other ladies' decor at the end.

And if you are interested, you can see past Thrift the Look Challenges here:

Thrift the Look - Garden Inspired Decor

Thrift the Look - Cabin Decor

Thrift the Look - Eclectic Decor

Thrift the Look - Boho Decor

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission which helps keep my blog up and running but it won't cost you a penny more)! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. 

I found this photograph while searching for my inspiration and immediately thought of our piano! There is no credit on this pin, so I'm not sure whose photo this is.

Source: Pinterest

Here is the piano that I'm working with (and my before picture). I do not play piano but Tobin is teaching himself 😊 so we found this on Facebook Marketplace for him about a year ago for $400 and they delivered it too!

Here is a breakdown of the inspiration photo to help me while I was out thrifting (and shopping my own house) for the decor I needed. I did not end up using any faux taxidermy, maybe I'll add some later when I find just the right piece.

I came up with the following:

1. Candelabra - I thrifted a glass hurricane lamp instead
2. Floral pictures - I made photocopies from an old art book and DIY'd two of them, I thrifted two, and I shopped my own house for one
3. Books - I thrifted these
4. Cloche - I shopped my own house and found a gold lantern instead
5. Faux taxidermy

I decided to make a floating picture ledge so that I can easily rearrange things (as I'm wont to do!)

I did thrift for a large floral picture but had a little trouble finding one with the look and large enough. I decided to look through my own stash of art that is still sitting in the garage and found this antique poster!

For the next largest floral print, I made photocopies from an old art book. These are the ones I copied that I had to choose from. I chose the large one on the left.

I shopped around the unpacked boxes in the garage and found these three antique frames. I chose to use the large black one.

You can see how the inside edge is gold... I chose to accentuate that and the flowers on it with Rub 'n Buff.

To make this photocopy look even more like a real painting, I used Mod Podge to adhere the copy to a piece of foam core board, and then I put a semi-thick layer over the top and made brush strokes in it to add texture.

You can see the brush strokes in these close-ups.

I found this set of small florals for just $1.49 each, they have the original Montgomery Ward tags on the back still!

I added them next to the large picture.

And some more thrifted books and the gold lantern that I already had.

And do you see that bust with the little girl holding her ears on the pink stool? 😂 That seemed so appropriate since Tobin is learning how to play!

To be honest, I wasn't really sure I could pull this off since my walls here are white but I think I achieved the same look at feel... 

...especially at night with the lantern, piano light, and hurricane lamp on!

I also added a small antique gold clock that was my grandma's.

You can see all the other great examples of Dark Academia for this hop here:

Laura - One House, 2 Barns - Heather - Home to Heather - Sarah - Sadie Season Goods - Me - Lora - Lora Bloomquist.com

If you're interested in the dark academia aesthetic but you want yours a little lighter in feel, this is a great article I found: Light Academia Room Ideas.

And here are some cool things I found that you can buy to help get the look and feel!

Library Room Spray

Vintage Flower Arrangement Painting Print

David Head Bust Statue

Dark Academia Room Decor Bundle

Lightbearer Table Lamp (so cool!)

Hand Flower Vase (similar to the lamp but much cheaper)

I hope you enjoyed this thrift-the-look challenge. If you did, I'd love it if you'd share by pinning!

PIN ME!