My Small Home Art Studio Makeover 🎨 From Dark to Light Academia

Welcome to my small home art studio makeover! I fell in love with light academia as a design trend several months ago, and decided to incorporate it into my new studio look. I am so embarrassed to admit that this is my third art studio makeover in just over two years, but I think I finally got the look right for both functionality and feeling. This video was shot in 4K, so please enjoy at its highest resolution!

Light Academia is a design trend that celebrates all things scholarly and learning. Some of the things you may see in light academia design are: books, antiques, light colors, plants, sunlight and cozy touches through natural textures (woods, soft fabrics, etc.). I thought that this was a perfect, timeless match for my art studio and for who I am as a person. I'm so happy that this redesign is complete and that I can get back to painting, there are so many tutorials that I'd like to create for you!

Here are my free resources for artists!
FREE "Introduction to Oil Painting" 28 page ebook:

I'd love if you would connect with me on social media✨

Special thanks to Steve the Wonder Contractor (who doesn't want to appear on YouTube) for helping me with not only the studio but basically anything that needs fixing.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 The Backstory: the First Two Makeovers
02:16 What is Light Academia?
03:11 Painting the Walls
05:29 Figuring out the Shelves
08:00 How to Style with Light Academia Design
08:57 Realizing the Shelves Were Too High
09:51 Styling the Shelves, Take Two
10:35 The Final Reveal
11:49 Fixing the Lighting in a White Studio Space
13:10 3 Pieces of Advice for Anyone Doing a Studio Makeover

[janinafisher]

I remember watching you paint that matte black, and I knew I wouldn't be able to live with it even though I think it looks stunning! I just love the whole dark academia look, but only at night! In the daytime I need light and bright. So glad you listened to yourself and made the changes that worked for you. My number one motivator is learning, so I hear you about that! I have turned the entire main room of my cabin into an art studio so I can finally say that I live in an art studio! You can do that when you live by yourself! And seeing your video reminds me that I must post my photo of my peony in the FB group (still a work in progress, since I discovered I don't really have the patience to paint realism, so I do a little at a time) from your course that I bought. It's looking good, but still has a long way to go! Enjoy that beautiful "new" studio! Happy painting!

[Lulu.G-]

The space was lovely in each iteration. I completely agree with your friend that you should not apologize for outgrowing a thing. Now I am going into my studio to explore what I can change in order to make it a lovely space.

[bilalpazarl]

You instill the joy of painting. Thank you.

[somewhatsorted]

Looks like hard work paid off again! The new studio turned out great :) <3. I really liked how you included in the 'pitfalls' as well such as wanting to lower down the shelves even though you just wanted to be done with the space already.

[studiotezart]

This gives me hope. I painted my studio dark in the beginning of this summer - dark teal even the ceilings...with dark pink borders and windowseals... Why you wonder. Well - l wonder that too. My image in my head was green Academia, with lots of herbs and things, and I let myself get influenced by others... Now I am repainting my studio again - true to my original vision :D Lesson learned to trust my inner self from the start. Thank you for showing this - inspiring! Looking forward to the video on lighting- I need that :D

[traces]

Beautiful job! Your solutions and ideas are wonderful. I'm painting in my daughter's old room in the basement and have many challenges with lighting since the window is so small. I had to leave my other studio due to the continual rent increases and insurance. I'm determined to make it work though! Thanks for a great video😊

[AsAnArtist]

Hi your sketchbooks are amazing and the studio looks great 😊 😊😊

[francineh.]

It looks great and good call on lowering the shelf! Your studio has a lovely calm feeling to it...beautiful!

[erinreynolds]

THANK YOU for a nudge to redo my studio… this artist has been stuck and appreciates the inspiration to get back in her studio. Also thank you for showing the struggle. It help me so much! Love your new space!

[dianeo]

Beautiful redo! I also prefer the light academia look, especially the emphasis on antiques and old books ♥ Looking forward to the video on lighting your space.

[cormorants]

I’m only five minutes in, and this is my first time seeing your videos, but I wanted to pause and say THANK YOU SO MUCH for your honesty about your different feelings and regrets about paint colours! The light and bright, the dark and moody, the in-between, and the return to Dove White! I’ve been wanting to do something with my space, and I’m in perpetual tension between something light or dark academia. I LOVE light and bright spaces — but cozying up in a dark little den of a space also sounds fantastic, and I’ve been torn between the two for about two years now, settling on doing nothing! Do I take the dive and go dark? Do I lean into bright and try to brighten up my North-facing room to the best of my abilities? Do I leave it as is, assuming it’s about as good as it’ll get anyway (technically already a gentle off-white but perhaps in need of a refresh and some shelves and a clearer design direction?)

Seeing you pass between such similar dilemmas as opposed to just “having a vision and watching it come together seamlessly” as one so often sees online was SO refreshing. I think after this it’ll be neat to go back and see your original dark makeover, too, but this has been lovely to see. Thank you for sharing so openly!

[Tiffany-qsrn]

Off topic comment but you could be a voice over actor. p.s. love the studio.

[aussieanne]

Matte black is a trend that will soon get old. It also makes a space feel closed in which isn’t great in a small space. I never follow trends as they are just that … an approach that is going to be picked up by instas and dropped almost as quickly. Stick with the colours that reflect your own preferences.

[naheedakhtar]

Hi I wanted to ask what will happen if you don’t prime your paper before doing an arccylic painting or an oil painting

[chriswhitehouse]

So, it's back to the way it was originally?

[sofieonecrow]

I will "borrow" a number of your ideas when I remodel my sewing room, which is in desperate need of brightening and reorganizing. I especially like your clever solution for changing your overhead lighting. Thanks!

[carolynsharpe]

Beautiful! I’m looking forward to your lighting video!