I come from a family that believes wood is good and it is a sin to paint wood. In fact i viol you could move your study to my house and i would be super happy. However, try changing the wall color first. See how it feels with furniture in place. You may find though that your style dictates white paneling and book cases and a brighter color for the walls like a nastertium orange something on the subtle side not tacky where the white painted woods really pop and the dark wood floor still makes sense. Without seeing a photo i can only imagine but i would then take floor to ceiling white semi sheer's to windows and assuming neutral color furniture bring in pop's of the orange on pillows lamps and throws and mirror top coffee table side tables. It would be alot of work to re finish all the wood but might be your ticket and it would still revert to a classic room in the future with a neutral paint on the walls and traditional style furnishings. So sin or not... Go for it! I would want the room either way actually:-)

Oh... And the desk... Project table from pottery barn. Utilizes two 9 cube bookcase's with a large project top so two people can work at same time just from opposite sides. Runs about a grand. Available to view online.

Hard to say without a photo, but in my mind's eye, I'm taking it in a steampunk, industrial direction -- say, a punk rock version of Dumbledore's office. Giving it some edgy touches will take it out of the dark ages. It's an opportunity to put a creative twist on tradition.

Thank you both! Deborah, I agree with you when it comes to the wood - I don't want to paint the paneling (not sure why that might have come across wrong in my post). I think I will paint the top half (not the paneling part) a lighter color and see how much the room changes. Then I can look at some of the more modern accessories - I will check out the Pottery Barn idea. And barnhartgallery, definitely hadn't thought of going industrial, but I am intrigued - would definitely give the room, with its dark wood, an edgy feel.

If you look through these study photos, I'm sure you'll see many library-study rooms that could be called drab, too, yet beautiful. http://www.houzz.com/panelled-study HERE'S a suggestion for the paint color & curtains = simple light beige. Not earth shatteringly original, but enhances the dark wood and perks things up a bit YOU didn't give the color of your sofa? Many times sofas and curtains "match" so the beige might not work to coordinate the sofa. Photos and interesting objects in shelves (not only books) & a coffee table in front of sofa. PANELED room with modern furniture & white background art, white rug, black leather, simple window treatments (blinds or shades), some chrome SOME say it is inspirational to have desk at window, others complain of the glare

Thank you, j222b. Of course the one I am most drawn to is the last link you included - the one with lots of natural light. The others are certainly beautiful, but they are more formal than what I see for my home. Maybe if I paint the top half of the room - the part that isn't panelled (it is currently painted a very dark navy), it will lighten the room in general and I can then incorporate some of the suggestions from the links you included. Thanks a lot! Oh, and the sofa we have is red fabric. Hmmm.

For the most light keep shades / blinds up (or don't have window treatments at all). Your study will be much lighter with the top painted see here AND HERE The red sofa will be perfect.

Yes - those are definitely more like it. I do like it lighter and I like some color contrast. Thanks for the suggestions - feel free to keep 'em comin'.

I'm going to revive my discussion with some images - and a few specific questions.

1. The dilemma is still what is written above, but in addition to figuring out how to modernize it, I'm curious about thoughts on how to lay out the pieces (desk, filing space, small sofa, area rug(s), lighting). This will be a home study and sitting area for our family - no business to run out of during the day. We do, however, have need for lots of filing cabinets.

2. With all the filing space needed, should we try to retrofit the built-in cabinets as filing drawers? Then the desk could be something more artsy but maybe less functional for us, like a Parson's table. My husband thinks we should have a real desk with storage space, which I am fine with, but with all the dark wood, am not sure what that would look like.

3. The desk should have space for both of us to be there at the same time; I have a laptop, he has a desktop with a large screen. Am also considering some other workspace - like a bar-height table that we could stand at.

Thank you!
Carrie Lyon

Hi, cylon. I would think about having two areas - one for seating and other for working/studying. For a desk, a partners desk may work for you. Another option is a large rustic type dining table. Rolling file cabinets could be tucked underneath to store desk supplies. See below for a possible furniture arrangement.

I think retrofitting the bottom of the built-ins for filing is a really good idea. Repainting and perhaps a couple of colorful area rugs will definitely liven up the space.

Thanks for updating with a photo; not just as I pictured, so it always helps to see pix. What is the wood?

You're welcome. The grained wood in the drawing is the floor of your study. I'm not sure what type of wood the filing cabinet is made from - I just wanted to show it as an option if you decide to not go with a traditional desk.

You have a very nice space - I'm sure it'll be great when you're finished.

Thank you both. barnhartgallery, if you were asking about the wood in the room, the built-ins are likely maple, but have been stained very dark, almost a mahogany color. The floors are factory finished, composite wood flooring - not what we would have chosen, but we aren't planning to change it right now - also in a dark, brown, slightly less reddish tone than the built-ins. I suspect we'll cover a large part of the floor with area rugs. I am planning to paint the walls lighter, but will keep the lower half the dark paneling that is there. I think that will brighten up the space quite a bit. Manon, the rolling file cabinet is great - might be a perfect way to satisfy my need for a less traditional desk while keeping supplies close for my husband.