My Dark Academia Library // Thrift Haul & Style with Me

[@KrystaMeeker]

I hope you enjoyed this one!! Follow along on Instagram for behind the scenes content & more! ⤵️ Instagram.com/krystameeker

[@justlanchen]

I love that you went with lighter walls which aligns closely with the aesthetic origins in “the secret history” Thanks for sharing an accurate dark academia room 😭😭

[@KrystaMeeker]

We definitely have the same interpretation of the aesthetic! You get it!! 🙌

[@justlanchen]

we do!! it makes me so happy to see haha 🫶 @@KrystaMeeker

[@lauriepowell3959]

Hee, hee! I am just finishing reading The Secret History.

[@crispycookie9739]

Even though this is more light academia, it's still pretty...just not dark enough for my personal aesthetic. Thanks for taking the time to show your process

[@hey_court12]

wonderland ideas: maybe a sweet vintage medicine bottle with 'drink me' label, a pretty mirror for alice through the looking glass, a marble chess set, a brass mouse (door mouse!) you could print some of your favorite illustrations and put them in frames. or frame a queen of hearts card, vintage pansies print or antique seed packet. and a caterpillar! maybe a brass one?

[@KrystaMeeker]

Love these ideas!! I was also thinking little tea stained vintage tags with drink me on the bottles! Could be a fun DIY too!! 😍

[@rhondadixon1782]

Some great ideas 😂

[@jamiemcgrew849]

Tea set, vintage hat, yard croquet set…

[@__76--_-646]

Yes, that's what I was thinking as well ❤

[@lynneallison1296]

@@jamiemcgrew849 yes! A vintage croquet set would look great and are pretty easy to find.

[@kimschannel5567]

I am so happy to see people using thrifted finds and antiques. I love all the personality and creativity you put into this. ❤

[@terrythomas2735]

A pocket watch with a chain on a holder would look great in the glass cloche

[@TheRustyTrike]

Trinket boxes or jewelry boxes. Alice was always opening boxes that weren’t hers and eating away 😂

[@KrystaMeeker]

Yess!! Love this idea and they stack well on books! 👏🏻

[@eunicenield9631]

You did a very nice job styling everything. I love the prints in the frames you have.

[@shadygardens2256]

I love those frames. And the prints. And all those beautiful books. I love old books! I like your style too!

[@shadygardens2256]

I see I’ve watched this video before, and I commented. I love your style and I love that you thrift for your treasures!

[@Melody-285]

I love all kinds of sconces but I usually put clear candle cups in them instead of candles, particularly the small ones like you showed in this video - usually put LED tea lights in them these days but sometimes I like real tea light candles as well - I’ve never seen you use them or even mention them so it’s just a thought ! I have found a lot of them thrifting but also Hobby Lobby has them - or at least used to - I have a stash, so haven’t had to buy any for a while

[@lianeabeyta4515]

You have an amazing collection of books. As a book lover, I wish I had a large space like that to display them. Instead they are stacked on tables, under tables, as tables... in baskets. Everywhere and anywhere. I loved, loved, loved the gold framed print of the girl on the outside of the bookshelf! Looked so high end, and something most people don't have the guts to do. Its out of the box and wonderful! All the gold frames and brass ,and art and statues of animals is perfection, The twigs on the top shelf are icing on the cake!!!! Love the textural quality it gave the whole scene. I bookmarked this to revisit often. And the music at the end just set the ambience magically! You are quite a visionary!

[@KrystaMeeker]

Wow, thank you so much for your kind words Liane! I actually love the look of books stacked about, it’s so cozy and cottage like! I agree about the frame, I love the look!! 😍

[@heathereton5582]

I love the way you styled the swans!

[@bethbenson1931]

Subscribed last week and so glad I did. So many good ideas just in this video alone. Just want to tell you I envy your bookcases. My forever dream has always been a bookcase wall. And your little niches are so cute! You really scored with those law books! You know you are young when you move a dresser with the drawers still in it. 😊 Thanks so much. Can't wait to watch all your other videos!

[@corinnetippit7983]

Niche with Alice portrait. If it is lifted you can arrange candles like a memorial nicge

[@tiffanychappel6294]

Ooo! The painting of the little girl simply needs a white rabbit poking around from behind the tree. Perfect nod to Alice in Wonderland.

[@loricone3184]

Beautiful!! I would find a high backed upholstered chair to place in the corner where the lamp is. Like an area to cozy up with a book….. maybe a side table instead of the large wooden piece and a reading lamp…. ??? ❤

[@clawa1970]

For sure a top hat, an old card deck and some white and red roses.

[@lindsayl4935]

Chess pieces and chess board for a “non girly” AIW theme. Antique magnifying glasses, spectacles & monocles. Also woodland creatures & small intricate framed mirrors. You can add mirrors to some of the blank frames you thrifted.

[@juju_lizbeth]

I, too, am an Alice in Wonderland fanatic. In the public domain, you can find photos of the little girl who inspired Lewis Carroll to write the book. The images are hauntingly lovely. ❤

[@shadygardens2256]

Oh! I have to look that up and find out more about that!

[@sculplover]

I think it looks fantastic 24:22 24:22 especially the masterful display of all the wonderful books. I would humbly suggest adding a few pieces of china as a nod to Alice’s tea party and painting the back wall of the bookcase and little alcove a contrasting color like a dusty pink to draw the eye in even more to all the wonderful things you have collected. Great job !

[@Sugaredveil]

One option for your ceilings is to put bead board paneling right over it. I have seen this in person before and it looks beautiful. Even a tin or faux tin ceiling would be pretty.

[@kathypenner3478]

Love everything you did. I love this style with all the books and vintage things in between . This is exactly the way I style my shelves.

[@KrystaMeeker]

Thank you Kathy!! ☺️

[@rebekahschroeder7949]

So rich and warm! I loved the second frame for the rabbit. The owl…wow! 😍 And the gold rabbit under the cloche…loved how that turned out! When you asked, “To hang or not to hang…” I was thinking hang only because all of the other art in the area was not hung, but then you hung the large, oh so gorgeous, print above the chest and that seemed to balance it out. My Dad collected old encyclopedias and when my Mom was getting rid of a beautiful black and gold set of Britannica’s from 1920, I felt like I didn’t have space for them and gave them away. Boy, am I kicking myself for that now. 🤦🏻‍♀️ That was quite a steal getting those law books for $2.50!

[@KrystaMeeker]

Oh man, I’m sure they were beautiful! Without a place for them I can see why you would have passed. They are pretty and interesting to flip through! 😍

[@rhondagrant2399]

Very pretty! I do think you need the rabbit bust, to go with your theme.

[@1969kbl]

Wow, that was such an enchanting presentation at the end!💝 The music with the slow moving of the camera and the whole layout of the timeless objects (all masterpieces of art even if some are just copies) transported me over a century back. You have some sensitivity and talent that you can turn into a service and product business. The service would be to do similar arrangements and installations, or curations, or even complete decorating in the style in other people’s homes, and the products would be all the beautiful and unique vintage findings you hunt for and collect to be sold in an exquisite antique shop, wether online or in a physical shop, or both. 🥂

[@judithmitchell4667]

Absolutely lovely! All of the prints and frames were beautiful, especially the large print above the dresser. The branches on the top shelf worked wonderfully for the whole dark academia esthetic. Just loving the whole look. Thank you for sharing this charming video. Blessings - Judith 🎵🎭

[@janetgies8698]

I enjoy your decorating. I like the framed pictures without glare from glass. I’m so glad to see & find a young lady decorating in this Antique style. You are a beautiful Trio! 🤍. Janet

[@colorcrayon54]

Love everything! You have such a great eye for putting things together! ❤

[@lilithdasweet4780]

Thank you for explaining your thought proces and where you got everything! super helpful on how to replicate

[@AntiqueAgenda]

Oyster shells would be the perfect nod to the poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter" that is quoted by Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. You could either placed some loosely on top of your book stacks OR a framed natural science book print of some oysters. 🦪❤

[@ksl2634]

Love this idea! I like subtle nods to things. ❤

[@AntiqueAgenda]

@@ksl2634 THANKS KSL!🤗

[@maz3002]

Wow it looks amazing ~ I love Alice in Wonderland too!! I love old clocks and I think you definitely need to include a clock, maybe a rabbit... or black cat too... would look fab with your old books 🖤🖤

[@jannibal9273]

Beautiful styling. I personally would like to see a darker more "moody" wall color, at least on the wall surrounding the built-in bookshelves (but on the bookshelves themselves), but the styling is perfect. There's nothing like old case law books, is there, LOL! I got my law degree in 1984 before computers and online research became available, so I spent hours in law libraries in my home city digging through case book just like those you have on your shelves - each case was a decision handed down by a high court, either a Federal Court of Appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court, or state Appeals Courts and Supreme Courts - literally interpreting the laws passed by Congress and State Legislatures. Our Courthouse, built in 1929, had a grand old fashioned library and just walking into it, the feeling I got was of such gravis, I could feel the generations of prior attorneys there doing research for their cases, the power of effort and thought and determination to find just the right line of legal analysis to win for your client. There were also great law libraries at two different universities that I bounced between that I spent a lot of time in doing research. Ah, memories, LOL! The printed art work you used is also gorgeous and the frames you used are great! Love love love all around!

[@hazel1960]

Top hat box ,white gloves ditch the lights and a bust in the arch Nice decoration

[@HomeMadeVintage]

It looks freakin fantastic! I actually loved the artwork hung in the center off the shelf - I keep seeing it everywhere to and I love it!

[@KrystaMeeker]

Thank yooou!! I agree, it’s so pretty and looks high end to me. I will be keeping an eye out for some frames I can do this with and stack! 😍

[@julielefevre4184]

Such a beautiful bookshelf! I love vintage things and old homes so I really love your channel. I haven't found too many channels that focus on old houses and vintage decor. I think the wallpaper would be so awesome if u decide to invest in that. It is a higher cost, but adds so much depth. I look forward to seeing more of your home updates.

[@bheartsbooks]

Beautiful! I’m a bit obsessed with Alice, so I loved that you had that theme. I have 181 copies of the book. You would not believe how many have been published. I’m collecting frames and art to do an Alice gallery wall up my stairs. I want it to say Alice, without it actually being Alice. I would definitely add some mushrooms around as well. Maybe a few tea cups. I found this amazing one that has the card suits on the inside. It’s a vintage fortune teller cup. Everything looks lovely.

[@szatanica1]

I would soooo paint the room darker (not necessarily super dark), instead of this omnipresent white. It would be „Michelin star” difference.

[@brehock7904]

A top hat would be a great reference to the rabbit.

[@kimschannel5567]

The wooden carousel horse is so cute, as are all the finds!

[@deniselubken7132]

Oh yeah Alice all day! I love that bookcase. You have done some beautiful work in your home. I hope you find the cabinet you’re looking for. I love the darker academia but this is beautiful

[@drjackdaw6627]

if some commentators didn't display so much pedanticism the world would be a better place. I think your surroundings, light or dark are incredible.

[@denisehall956]

I think you did a wonderful job. It's lovely. I am not a fan of light colored walls but I love all of your decor and the placement of everything. Great work!!

[@elecbarberella]

Something to add a nod to the Cheshire Cat, and a hookah pipe for the caterpillar.

[@stephanieraymond7583]

Antique chess pieces and Antique playing cards is very Alice in Wonderland

[@brendastover8761]

Bookshelf is beautifully done!

[@dancingfeather5491]

I would like the Alice in Wonderland picture hung on the wall with a velvet ribbon.

[@clarechomyn9686]

The bookcase looks gorgeous. My late husband was a book collector. I now have thousands. One thing I will say is, please cut 1" x 12" or 1" x 9", depending on the depth of your shelves, piece of wood the full height of each shelf. Place it in the center of each shelf where you now have a 1"x1" stick. This is to support the weight of the books, which will cause the shelves to sage in the center.

[@meh5069]

I'd classify this as "Light" academia, but beautiful nonetheless! I love how you got that print mounted, thats a great idea.

[@katherinec3463]

Love how it turned out. I appreciated all the details you shared.

[@juliahelland6488]

Love the bookcase! Thanks so much for sharing your artwork tips.💯

[@lindasmith5190]

The top shelf just makes the bookshelf. I love the large picture over the chest.

[@melodierussell3825]

Love your style so much! This space is fabulous! Now, to incorporate some (light) academia into my space along the same lines. Thanks so much for the inspiration and the great video. ❤

[@Lisas_Creative_Designs]

So pretty. I would love a library room in my home but do not have the space. So I have been adding some light academia to my livingroom by decorating a small cabinet, table and mantel. Most of my items are thrifted finds. I love how it is turning out and really love some of the vintage classics I have acquired like Jane Eyre, Pride and Predjudice, Les Miserables.. all my favorite works.

[@fayefern4581]

You did a lovely job of styling the upstairs landing.

[@CorrisFreigang]

framing is always so hard to me Thanks for the tips

[@KrystaMeeker]

Oh yeah, it’s always a different adventure with each frame but there’s always a way! Glad I could help! ☺️

[@Andy-ne5qi]

I'm so jealous of all your finds! It gave me the urge to go thrift hunting but I just finished decorating my small home and have zero space 😅

[@cerwelt]

Roses; white and red. A deck of cards or the emblems for each suit, but especially hearts. A vintage picture of a flamingo. A rabbit warren (painting). Small vintage medicine bottles. Mushrooms. A hookah. A pepper shaker. Paintbrushes 🖌️ with red paint dried on one upside down in a bottle. A topiary with roses (half red, half white) you could DIY this.

[@vineyardfarmhouseco]

I absolutely love the way you decorate! So nice !

[@elizabethhammond1348]

I truly like all you have done! Very inspirational! Thank you!

[@rosemaryfann6725]

Wonderful video. Absolutely loved how you decorated the shelves. Thanks for print recommendation.

[@KrystaMeeker]

Thank you Rosemary!!

[@kaycfox3013]

You made sure everything was just right. It really shows when you care for something. TYFS

[@4everyoung24]

Looks great! What a find with those law books!! Paint that bookcase a dark moody blue/green/black and all that decor will come alive even more. But that’s me. I like dark and moody rooms.

[@jamiemcgrew849]

Pocket watch, teapot, vintage and croquet set maybe for a nod to Alice. 😊

[@kellygreathouse5824]

I threw an Alice in Wonderful party for a friend of mine and ended up making paper roses out of vintage book pages and painted some of the petals red. Other items could be old paint brushes, black velvet ribbon, playing cards or items with different suits represented.

[@grizeldaxxx4568]

Love love love this idea!

[@mamazeno1672]

The lamp needs an incandescent light bulb for a soft glow.

[@mikayamada8276]

I love love love how it turned out girl!!! The Alice in wonderland theme is seriously so dreamy!! 💗💗💗

[@KrystaMeeker]

Thank you!! ❤️

[@kimschannel5567]

I have shelves that are similarly styled in my home office. They look great, but they do collect a lot of dust, and are not easy to keep clean. It’s a labor of love because I love my collection of things. Most are collected from travels and inherited from relatives and some are things I have picked up here and there over many years.

[@wendyhodgins3886]

I think you should paint the little alcove to look the the door that Alice goes through.

[@robynbohbot3709]

Love the law books on top shelf - totally changed the look of the book shelf. Love it all :)

[@1974angels]

Absolutely LOVE the print and frame ( the large one that had the skull print) replaced with the flowers. Looks like it’s always been in that frame. Stunning!!😊

[@AngelA-pv2hi]

If u add vintage games you could put a deck of cards with the Queen of ❤s displayed (antique the edges) 😊

[@BelindaTN]

Interesting that you have dark academia decor, but your walls and bookshelf is white. Gives it more of a non dark academia look. Still learning about this, but usually I see dark academia in a dark environment. Anyway, this looks very nice and I like your collections. The description of dark kinda escapes me in this case.

[@justlanchen]

This is a very common misconception unfortunately. Major companies like Architectural Digest, HGTV, and others, share content featuring black on black interiors and label it as Dark Academia, circulating the misunderstanding. The aesthetic is based on the book “the secret history by Donna tartt” In which the dark academia interiors are normally white. I made a video about this misunderstanding actually if you want to learn more

[@BelindaTN]

@@justlanchen Thank you. I just checked your video out and loved it. Looking forward to watching more of them.

[@justlanchen]

@@BelindaTN oh no way. Thank you! 🫶 I hope you found it helpful when learning about the aesthetic a bit more

[@debcunningham5011]

Gorgeous! You are truly gifted with design and decor placement. Wonderland ideas-vintage mushrooms, vintage clock faces or pocket watches. Best of luck with your search for more lovelies!

[@KrystaMeeker]

Yess, I need to find my husbands pocket watch!! Thank you Deb!! ☺️

[@janiebrossmann1178]

I 💗ur creative ideas …taking a whimsical story and display it in a classy way 😊

[@rachaelcalles2621]

Vintage victorian top hat would be neat to incorporate!

[@colemansinacottage7701]

Yay been on standby for this vid!😄add in an earth toned subtle colored mushroom addition to the shelf 🍄 maybe even a diy mushroom of some sort, ooo or victorian style butterfly for some more Alice vibes. Love absolutely everything 👏

[@colemansinacottage7701]

And a hat!

[@KrystaMeeker]

Such cute ideas!! I found this awesome brass planter that was shaped like a top hat that would look SO cool! 😍

[@colemansinacottage7701]

@@KrystaMeeker oooo yes perfection 🖤

[@jillbruce3624]

WOW. So incredibly cool. I love the Academia. Thank you very much for sharing your info on the prints, etc. I feel the same about Walgreens and other sources and your prints look so authentic. I am going to be searching for beautiful prints today. I look forward to seeing what you are going to do next. I hope we don't have to wait long. Take care.

[@KrystaMeeker]

Thank you so much Jill!! ❤️

[@dianajemison105]

Love it! Everything looks great! You could tie some tattered ribbons on the keys. Maybe, a "drink me" tag on the cruet.😊

[@sarajones9979]

Dried roses for the red queen😊

[@ksl2634]

I was thinking this too!

[@ginacrusco234]

The bureau top is so beautifully styled. I love the framed print, the florals, the open book, and especially the candlestick.

[@bestlifeever4548]

I have been collecting vintage Alice in wonderland and love it so much. I had planned a nursery around it but had all boys . But doing my library in dark academia and Alice and guest bathroom.

[@kathypenner3478]

Love how you did all of this. Great job.

[@ThriftAddict]

I love Alice in Wonderland. I’ve been collecting vintage items to do the theme in my daughters room. A few things we also got were a mushroom pottery piece, small wooden chairs, clocks and decorative chess piece. I think the keys would be cute framed with a book page. I love what you did. I think the bunny bust is really neat.

[@aemcreate7944]

Beautifully done space!! Spot on for the theme. I LOVE ALICE!! I'm a bit obsessed with collecting for an Alice / Paris victorian dark theme for my future craft space, as of now a closet space. I have collected very similar items! Exactly my vibe with the brass bunny, cloches, vintage swans, floral paintings,.. AHHH..LOVE IT!! I have a gallery wall, with butterfly/botanical mushroom prints. A wonderful framed hand painted picture of a bunny I thrifted. Treasure!!🐰🖤 Maybe a small ship or painting. She sailed in the movie. I have a small glass block with an etched ship. One of my fav finds! Maybe a man with a top hat on, or a vintage flash card with the word hat on it. I really enjoyed watching your process. OBSESSED with your style. I too have a love for vintage and antique things. Excited to start mine when it comes time to expand into my own space. TYFS!!🖤🖤🖤

[@katen1228]

Love that big rabbit print. Everything turned out looking AMAZING!

[@loribragg2947]

Love the brass rabbit! Now I’m on the hunt to find one like it (I have two pet rabbits; one is a now 3-year-old wild Cottontail we rescued from our back yard, the other is a mini Rex). I’ve sold several of those bisque porcelain swans in my Etsy shop. I market them as wedding table decor and they sell very well. I love your taste in your choice of art prints; very nice!

[@amberamber100]

Absolutely stunning work. STUNNING!!!

[@barbarapeterson8030]

YOU GUYS did a great job! Happy Thursday...SHARED TO THE BURGH(Pittsburgh PA)

[@KrystaMeeker]

Thank you Barbara!! ☺️

[@melaniehancock5652]

Wow. That is all just beautiful! I collect those swan planters. Love your black ones.

[@hylandgundy2698]

I love your work and how you choose decor to stage with. Very tasteful.

[@kristyrowe9221]

Just beautiful! Loved the review with the music. It was like being in the garden with Alice. To many great items to name favorites.

[@gardengirlnc]

Beautiful work! Thank you for the Etsy Prints tip. That is so helpful.

[@bettelovelace4456]

Absolutely gorgeous.. ilove all the textures,mirrors behind your duck and frames of all shapes .. I just love it💜

[@superannieoakley4513]

1st time viewer & I'm loving your bookcase. Who doesn't want another area to display goodies?! When decorating my bkcase, I like to zig zag mine w sm vignettes. A favorite of mine is my beautiful old silver tray that has couple of sm books & on top of that I have a milk glass bowl w vintage glass S/P shakers w a cloche over it. I put a plate in the bowl to hold the shakers & I also have my old keys tied on the cloche. There's a couple of other sm things like my antique magnifying glass too. A sm crown & vintage watch(clock)would look great w your "Alice" theme too. Can't wait to watch more videos!

[@polthaty]

I'm speechless! spectacular!!!

[@stacysnp]

I just think this is the coolest theme!!!! A nice playing cards deck or vintage deck holder/box would be a fun idea! Maybe a sweets jar or box? Like the “eat me” cookies one! A beautiful croquet ball or club? I haven’t seen this finished but everything you to is PERFECT!

[@colleenjennifer-lynn]

You NEED to get a hat, and even a bottle and plate (eat me and drink me), AND on the outside of the door “we are all mad here”! I am so inspired

[@jeanniecollier6763]

I have the same bird print in the same frame. I get so many compliments, as it is such a sweet print.

[@lolamost3100]

Wow, looks fantastic. Kudos to you!

[@amberteitsworthhummel7407]

I just love your bookshelves! I have to watch it over and over to take it all in! So lovely!

[@s.v8125]

Love the horse 🎠

[@luzchapa6999]

Beautiful styling! I love your moody Flare❤

[@deborahbender5333]

Oh my stars I love love love your book shelfs..they are perfectly set.

[@belfrykat]

my dining room is alice. in addition to the usual antique bottles, wooden boxes, clocks, & silver tea pieces, i have a small bookcase that houses my wonderland & looking glass book collection. i hung a massive moody painting of a flamingo above the book case, only a few inches down from the ceiling. it makes it feel like the ceiling is much higher, which i think fits the 'down the rabbit hole' narrative. i'm still on the hunt for the perfect vintage chess painting for the opposite wall. & i go back & forth between wanting a rabbit with a monocle & not. my style is similar to yours, but with a lot of weird thrown in.

[@craftypurlgurl226]

For your Alice in wonderland theme, maybe some playing cards? There are all types of themed cards that can fit the moody/Victorian theme really well!

[@bonnierainwater4484]

I’m stopping after the haul for just a second. At 10:15 in, the small glass dish, idk if u checked the bottom, but it might be Avon. It looks just like 1 I have. I love it. It does seem very vintage to me. I’m So glad to see a new video up from you! I’m trying to make it last as long as I can…now back to the video… I like the rabbit bust, but will it fit on a shelf? Maybe you could use it on the dresser. That artwork is beautiful! I really like the print with the rabbit and also the fox. If you could find an actual Alice In Wonderland in an older binding, that would be neat. You always do an amazing job. Everything looks beautiful.

[@KrystaMeeker]

The candle holder is Avon! We have the same one! ☺️ The rabbit bust would probably only fit on the top but I love the idea of putting it on the dresser!! I also need an old copy of Through the Looking Glass because the one I have it pink and doesn’t quite fit the vibe in here. Haha. Thank you so much for your kind words!! 🥰