I recently returned to Edinburgh, Scotland, after 12 years away. I hadn’t been to this magical city since I was a college freshman studying abroad there in 2012. Spending time visiting my old haunts reinforced that Edinburgh is a special place, steeped in history, to say the least. (I’m already daydreaming about my next trip back!).
Although the idea of ​​black education was not something people were talking about ten years ago, I firmly believe that Edinburgh is the capital of this beauty. The mix of university atmosphere, historic buildings, tweed jackets, a grand castle, and dimly lit streets, just to name a few things, made me want to drop everything and move to Scotland. There, I’d put together a gorgeous apartment filled with vibrant Victorian pieces, rich, luxurious fabrics, and stacks of leather-bound books.
Featured image in our interview with Jennifer Vaughn Miller by Beathée Photography.
How to Style a Beauty Library Look at Home
While such a move (very likely) is not in the cards for me, the good news is that any of us can replicate the beauty of a library in our homes or apartments. Ahead, I’ll show you how to do that. Don’t blame me if you use these decorating tips and become more of a homebody than ever—they sure are cozy!
Get Moody
Establishing a moody vibe is essential to nailing the dark academy aesthetic. One of the hotels I stayed at during my trip, 100 Princes Street, did this well. Their upstairs dining room is filled with pops of plaid, has multiple fireplaces, and includes worn leather chairs that look like they could have been plucked straight from a professor’s office. The nautical paintings in the room also play well with the library’s aesthetic and add a sense of timelessness to the room. Such a space is a perfect place to sit and sip a cup of tea or read a book. Rich tones make the room feel very cozy, like you are covered in a big hug.
Leave the White Walls Blank
You will never find a dark academic style space with stark white walls, nor will you find one with painted but bare walls. So apply a deep colored paint (perhaps blue or green, as shown below!) or try wallpaper. Finally, show all the creativity! Now is the time to go all in with the gallery wall. Separate things by hanging small mirrors or candle holders, which will affect the look you want while adding visual interest. To save some money, you can knit from some digital downloads from Etsy that are easy to print at home and usually cost just a few dollars. Just search for “black academia” on the site and you’ll be greeted with tons of options.
Make Your Space Tidy, Clutter-Free
The black academy aesthetic is all about a layered, lived-in look, but it’s important to note that these elements don’t fit together in a bad way! Yes, it’s more than okay to line an entire wall with books or display a collection of your favorite trinkets (or my favorite, sculptures) on a shelf. After all, it’s safe to say that black academia is not for minimalists.
That said, you’ll want to make sure you keep unsightly things like wires, junk mail, and the like out of sight. This helps preserve some of the magic that comes with dark education—you have to feel like you’re stepping back into another time or place, and keeping the reminders of everyday life spread out won’t allow you to fully evoke that feeling.
Celebrate the Past
On a related note, as it pertains to resources, think old, not new. Shopping at antique and vintage stores can be a great way to achieve a dark academic aesthetic, and you can definitely find budget-friendly pieces that will play into this idea. Look for leather-bound books, sculptures and paintings, carved, ornate mirrors, ornate chairs (remember you can restore anything with large bones), portrait and landscape paintings, and more. Now is not the time to go all in with modern pieces like acrylic side tables or a bouclé sofa.
Shop the Library Aesthetic
Once you start shopping through the library, you may be surprised at what stands out to you. Make a Pinterest board filled with black educational posts that inspire you and refer to them as you go from store to store to help you stay focused!