Step-by-Step: Dress Your Home in Velvety Black
Decorating with black: 12 ways to work up from a small dark accessory to an ebony-walled room
My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison, Wisconsin. When I'm not working, I like to do projects around my house, get out in my solo canoe or go camping, read design and psychology blogs and work on mixed media art.
My husband and I live in a 1950 ranch-style home a few miles west of Madison,... More »
For one reason or another, black is a color that seems rather daunting to work into an everyday atmosphere. In spite of its popularity in the world of interior design, committing to black can be difficult.
Perhaps we have a hard time kicking the ingrained myth that it will take four coats of paint to undo. Maybe it's a color that reminds us of off-the-shelf media furniture available at big-box stores. Either way, there is a reason behind the neglect, and I think it's time to buck up and give it a try.
I've collected a set of photos with the focus on adding black to a home in small steps, and I'm hoping to convince both you and myself that it's an easy color to use. By the way, I'm planning on buying a gallon of paint this weekend. I suppose that means I am officially convinced and ready to take the plunge.
Perhaps we have a hard time kicking the ingrained myth that it will take four coats of paint to undo. Maybe it's a color that reminds us of off-the-shelf media furniture available at big-box stores. Either way, there is a reason behind the neglect, and I think it's time to buck up and give it a try.
I've collected a set of photos with the focus on adding black to a home in small steps, and I'm hoping to convince both you and myself that it's an easy color to use. By the way, I'm planning on buying a gallon of paint this weekend. I suppose that means I am officially convinced and ready to take the plunge.
by Urrutia Design
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Pillow. A cushion enveloped in black is easy to change once the appeal has run its course, typically during a seasonal swap. Although the pillow in this photo is the most prominent touch of black, notice that the color is carried through the rest of the room, creating a nice balance.
Lamp base. Okay, so this is a small accent, I know, but even the most minimal addition of black will get you off to a good start. The best part is that you can paint a piece that you already have, and simply repaint it if you don't like it.
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| Frames. Black is the most common color seen in any framing aisle, which makes adding black frames the easiest way to incorporate it into your living space. |
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| Chairs. Many chairs are available in both black or white, and I have a difficult time deciding which color to go with – for some reason, white always wins. However, the use of black chairs makes this kitchen look so much more sophisticated, and I'm all for spaces that look like a million bucks. |
| Artwork. When used in a large scale piece that dominates the wall, black makes the space feel classy and elegant. |
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by Joel Snayd
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| Chalkboard. If you are unsure of adding such a bold color to your everyday wanderings, a shade of black that leans toward slate is the way to go. Keep it crisp and clean with a casual to-do list or let it become a feathery sheet of chalk dust. |
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Salvaged furniture. I am a huge fan of secondhand furniture and have many such pieces in my own home. You can customize them with your own paint and hardware, which makes for a fun rainy day project. Also, note the other uses of black in this space – the door, coat rack, frames and boot tray.
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Dining table and chairs. My dream table is one made of salvaged wood set atop a beautiful steel base. Until that day, I can get down with a painted table. This dark table and chair set looks wonderful surrounded by a variety of neutral tones.
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| Accent wall. This ribbon of black makes the separation of the living and dining area much more pronounced than a light-colored wall would. A wall that doesn't span across much of the floor is an ideal place to try this out. |
| Bookcase. Now we're moving into larger dark swaths. The contrast of brightly-spined hardcovers looks striking in this stately grid of black. Perhaps you already have a bookshelf at home that could use a new winter coat. |
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by Birdseye Design
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| Floor. While it may be true that black floors show dust more than any other color, this isn't much of an issue in a kitchen that is frequently swept and mopped. Oh, and note how great the dark cabinets look with it. |
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| Black walls. The biggest commitment to the color of night, rich black walls, feels cozy and warm in a room flooded with natural light. So go against the grain of typically used colors and step into a pool of ink. Just be sure to use a finish that's matte rather than glossy to avoid potential eyesores. More: Add a Little Gothic Glamour, Chateau Marmont Style Glossy Black and White Beachfront Style Design 2011: Black Casework, Doors and Cabinetry |
Comments
Rough Linen I am LONGING to find a length of charcoal mohair velvet - or maybe darkest taupe - to cover my vintage Supporto chairs. Then you'd include me in this post!
19 months ago · Like
nattyjoan I "went for it" last weekend and painted the bathroom matte black. It looks amazing!
19 months ago · Like
sharonnelson I am a big believer of using a touch or more of black in every room. It makes everything else stand out. My living room has a black area rug over dark hand scraped floors. Love it! All the trim is in white and the doors are painted black. It looks so rich!
13 months ago · Like
Price-Less Interiors We just redid our kitchen island. Enlarged to 67x67, used distressed black cabinetry and black and white grante with radius edge. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. Other cabinets are glazed tan with absolute black granite. 
5 months ago · Like
patb212 Did my foyer black with soft white trim on doors windows and crown molding I love it has a very dramatic yet classic look. p.s. very true about going matte, my first attempt was in satin and every flaw in the (old) walls was highlighted I changed to matte and love the look.
6 weeks ago · Like
Ideabook published on Oct. 20, 2011.
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