Recently, I noticed that I was pinning several rooms that featured dark and moody interiors. The images seemed somehow perfect for the upcoming fall season. Dark, Moody Interiors Perfect For Fall.
Dark, Moody Interiors Perfect For Fall
There were rooms that featured shadowy, yet bold, wallpaper layered into cozy corners. The floral walls complimented the delicate lines of the antique chair.
Inky kitchens provided a perfect backdrop for preparing soups and stews.
Inviting bedrooms, with layers of textured linens, seemed to draw one in for a bit of rainy day lounging.
A darker entryway showcased layers of acquired history.
A staid staircase to heaven was created by the application of dark, botanical wallpaper on the risers.
Perhaps they lead to attic hideaways that inspire mysterious writing.
But why was there such a sudden fondness for the somber? It became clear with this beautiful bathroom.
Dark Academia
The pinnings were perhaps inspired by my recent viewing of still life paintings at The Met. I am particularly fond of artwork created in Northern Europe, particularly by the Dutch, in the 16th and 17th centuries.
With Dutch still lifes of this era I love to play a game with my children in seeking out how many creatures they can spot amongst the flora and fauna.
“A Vase of Flowers” by Margareta Haverman, circa 1716
I tried in vain to find an image that truly captures the glorious light depicted in this painting below. Perhaps it is a magical quality that can only be seen in person.
“Young Woman with a Water Pitcher” by Johannes Vermeer, circa 1662
Now as much as I love these beautiful, yet brooding rooms, I don’t think I will be adding a layer of charcoal to any of the walls of Storybook Cottage. Because of the sixteen mature oak trees that surround our home the rooms already struggle for light. But I could perhaps add in a darker-toned painting or two.
I may search out a portrait in dusky tones that I can simply sit at the top of our staircase.
Do you ever find yourself pinning images with a common theme?
Laura
These are all stunning!
I am loving the dark colored walls. It’s making me want to paint a black wall in my house!
Oh, these images make me swoon! How I wish that look would fit into my 1990’s builder-grade home; but even my attempt with the darker master bedroom was a stretch. I like your idea of adding moody art to get the feel of this atmosphere. And the Dutch Masters style wallpapers are just so beautiful! That’s cute that you played searching games with your kids 🙂
I could never live with such dark rooms, no matter what the season, LOL! Especially with the darker days of winter I *need* more light and lightness. We have darkish parquet floors (which are not trendy, I know) in much of the house, so the lighter walls help offset that. In fact, most of our wooden furniture is not *dark* dark, but a little too dark for me. I’d love to paint it all white, but not only do I just not have it in me right now, I don’t think my husband would let me. 🙂
I do love that stairway, though. I love the idea of having a design their other than straight paint or wooden staining.
These pictures remind me of colonial Williamsburg, particularly the first one. There is definitely a feeling of warmth and coziness with the darker colors. I honestly prefer this look to the monotone white-gray color scheme that’s so popular right now.
I really enjoy seeing the color/decorating choices made by others!
Marilyn (in Dallas)
I do that all the time. I’ve noticed the images of wallpaper with the big, bold flowers. I’ve done moody and dark many times with my dining room. I’m not sure I’m ready to go back since I currently have everything light and bright.
Love the bathroom, the stairs and the first very-decidedly moody dining room. I would like to have a dinner in the moody dining room to test it out before I did it though! I think it would be nice if there were big windows, but the bank building has windows on the north and south sides only and I have declared many times that my next place will not be so dark!
What a beautiful collection of moody rooms!! I truly enjoyed this post and you have me thinking how I can incorporate some moody colours in my home. It creates so much interest!
Laura,
Your Pinterest collection is beautiful. Like you, however, I cannot live in rooms this dark. I have to have lots and lots of light. When my sister lived in New England for several years, she developed depression from light deprivation. The doctor prescribed adding artificial light to her house by putting long florescent (4″) fixtures in each of the corners of her rooms. She leaned the lights vertically in the rooms’ corners. Each morning she turned on her artificial sunshine. She then moved to San Diego, California and loved living there.
Judith
Those lights were 4 FEET long,, not 4 inches long.
Well as you might have suspected, I adore dark and moody.
Pastels and lighter colors either to wear or to decorate have never been my thing, so I would love to have a darker wall or two within our home. In fact, I have in the midsts of my planning (that would be my ‘mind’ to repaint all in white except for a darker denim or navy accent wall in our living room. We’ll see what I end up with but our 17 year old abode is in need of some freshning up as it’s been a good long while since we painted. As for pinning – I don’t do that.
These images are beautiful, rich with colour and texture. I do find myself pinning things according to my mood, too. I prefer light walls, but the idea of a somber painting is appealing. Hope you find one you like.
I love it that you’ve included these wonderful paintings in your post. I’ve pinned a few dark rooms, but my favorite pin above: the stair risers because it pops against the white. But I also like the dark office with the skylight.