Paint Picks: Be Brave with Black
Helpful Tips and Inspiration to Give Your Home a Fashion Forward Look
In fashion, black is a staple color. You need a little black dress, a classic black suit and a pair of black heels — and all are considered an absolute must for a complete wardrobe. However, when it comes to interior design, black is a paint color that many shy away from, but it can make a huge impact in your home.
Just like your wardrobe, the color black can serve several purposes in a space. Black can ground a room that has a lot of color, offer contrast for high impact and create a mood and drama that makes you and guests take notice, much like that little black dress.
Here are some great ways you can use black paint in your interiors to pack a punch and elevate your space.
Just like your wardrobe, the color black can serve several purposes in a space. Black can ground a room that has a lot of color, offer contrast for high impact and create a mood and drama that makes you and guests take notice, much like that little black dress.
Here are some great ways you can use black paint in your interiors to pack a punch and elevate your space.
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In this space, the white Murano Glass chandelier was intended to be the hero. I had this ceiling painted a flat black so that the ceiling would essentially disappear, and the chandelier could be championed. Rather than making the space feel closed in, it actually makes the ceiling feel as though it extends infinitely.
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As opposed to painting the entire room, this space was designed for selective impact. The wall that houses the fireplace was painted black to anchor the room and draw your eye to that focal area of the space allowing the rest of the decor to pop.
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When painted as an all-over color on the walls, black or a dark shade of gray can make a huge impact. The bedroom shown here is incredibly dramatic, but not at all as harsh as you would expect. When you contrast black with lighter colors it helps the space to feel more open giving you the feeling of positive and negative space. A flat paint will also give you a softer look than a paint with sheen.
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Another great way to use black paint is on your base and crown molding. If this space had white trim it would not be nearly as dramatic. The black accent frames the room and anchors the space. It also creates a departure from a builder's standard finishes and gives your home a customized and tailored look.
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| These Dallas homeowners painted their kitchen cabinets a high gloss black. I love that the black paint created a drama in the kitchen giving it an almost fashion forward look. |
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Another great low-commitment way to introduce black into your space is with a piece of furniture. A couple coats of paint in a high-gloss black paint will breathe new life into any piece.
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There are many creative ways to introduce black paint into your space that goes above and beyond just plain black paint. We all know that chalkboard paint is a huge trend these days in interiors. I just love how this homeowner selectively painted the bathroom door with chalkboard paint. It adds such life to a home since you're able to personalize it.
Another creative way to use black paint is by painting stripes. This hallway feels as though it's been expensively wallpapered, when you can really create this look with a little paint, a steady arm and some patience. Many home improvement stores sell laser levels that project a line on your wall to create guides for painting.
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| Here are some practical guidelines for using black paint:
Tips for painting wall finishes: When painting walls & ceilings a flat, satin or eggshell paint finish is ideal. Keep in mind that when you have textured walls, the shinier you go the more obvious the texture, cracks and flaws. Flat has the tendency to be more absorbent which may show fingerprints, but will also give a softer look and minimize any blemishes or cracking your walls may have. On the contrary, you may want to go for an eggshell or satin finish to guard against absorption that happens in a moist area like a bathroom, like the one shown here. Tips for painting millwork and furniture: When painting trim, doors, or furniture, a semi-gloss is a great choice. Semi-gloss paint is easy to clean. Whereas flat paint will show fingerprints and glossy paint shows scratches more easily. It's a great easy-to-clean finish for high-use areas. Black paint is a great addition to any space. It can create drama, set a mood, or simply anchor a room or piece of furniture. However you chose to use black paint, a sleeker and more fashionable space is just a weekend project away. More: Design 2011: Black Casework Doors and Cabinetry Seeing Style in Black & White What's Black and White and Chic? Your Home! |
Ideabook published on Aug. 13, 2011.
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Here's a fun tidbit. I had one of my current clients paint their guest bath black (sorry no professional pix yet). Similar to the one in the above photo with cream tile halfway up the walls and it has a black Chinese chest. Last week my client told me they are friends with Johnny Cash's daughter and when she came to dinner she loved the black room. She said that in every home they moved to, her mom painted a room black because she loved how dramatic it made a space look. So, I guess "The Man In Black" had that color going on in more than just his clothes.