BLACK INTERIORS
BLACK BLACKGROUNDS
In the 70's edgy designers used black as a background and it was shocking - and, oh, so chic...
Vincente Wolf, Scott Bromley, Billy Baldwin, Michael Taylor and even David Hicks used black as a powerful and defining statement. The bright and feminine 'mid-century' colors are sooo done.
(Seriously, didn't we reach the saturation point for orange, pink or lime like years ago?)
People with serious artworks or antiques understand that bold colors usurp and cheapen their pieces. Whereas black emanates confidence, mystery, and definitely feels sexy.
(Source: Canadian Home and Design)
In the 1970's David Hicks used black lacquered walls in a formal townhouse in Mayfair - turning traditional interior design inside-out, forever!
NEW TRADITIONAL & BLACK
(Source: Architectural Digest)
Wall paneling painted with a semi-gloss finish makes this room softly 'shine' helping to define the moldings and details whilst creating a mysteriously elegant aura.
Wall paneling painted with a semi-gloss finish makes this room softly 'shine' helping to define the moldings and details whilst creating a mysteriously elegant aura.
(Source: Designer Mark D. Sikes)
For a freshened up look, lose the pastel floral wallpaper and matching curtains!
Paint the walls black, throw in white draperies and a striped carpet and you'll be smokin'.
(That Hermes blanket strikes a pretentious note, however...)
(Source: Spanish Designer Luis Bustamante)
Black and white naturally create tension.
It's the balance of both which creates a successful room.
The black walls do not create a dark room, they create a sexy background!
Black and white naturally create tension.
It's the balance of both which creates a successful room.
The black walls do not create a dark room, they create a sexy background!
(Source: French designer Christian Liagre)
An early 20th century home gets a modernized, simplified makeover.
The ebonized wainscoting, black granite floors and carpet are balanced by the white upper walls and stair stringer, avoiding a "bottom of the well effect".
(Source: AD)
This smokin' library defines 'definition.'
Black lacquered shelving with a nickel edge detail is complimented by the bordered white stone floors.
Details dammit, details!
(Source: Miles Redd)
Lacquered cabinets and ceiling totally create a high-glam effect.
The shiny lacquer with the mirrored counter-tops and back-splashes gives the illusion of more space.
(Keep in mind lacquer is not successful unless it's applied to a super smooth surface, otherwise every flaw in the surface is visible)
(Source: Unknown)
Early 20th century antiques look especially sophisticated with black grass-cloth walls.
An early 20th century home gets a modernized, simplified makeover.
The ebonized wainscoting, black granite floors and carpet are balanced by the white upper walls and stair stringer, avoiding a "bottom of the well effect".
(Source: AD)
This smokin' library defines 'definition.'
Black lacquered shelving with a nickel edge detail is complimented by the bordered white stone floors.
Details dammit, details!
(Source: Miles Redd)
Lacquered cabinets and ceiling totally create a high-glam effect.
The shiny lacquer with the mirrored counter-tops and back-splashes gives the illusion of more space.
(Keep in mind lacquer is not successful unless it's applied to a super smooth surface, otherwise every flaw in the surface is visible)
(Source: Unknown)
Early 20th century antiques look especially sophisticated with black grass-cloth walls.
(Source: Elle Decor)
Want a new look?
Remove the striped or Moroccan trellis wallpaper, lose the Persian or sisal carpet.
Paint the walls black and throw in some modern art and BOOM - Insane!
(Source: Spanish designer Luis Bustamonte)
How freekin' chic is this gentleman's dressing room?
No tired-ass mahogany, beveled mirrors or old brass fittings... this is masculine and sexy - not stodgy!
(Source: Designer Rob Southern)
Want a new look?
Remove the striped or Moroccan trellis wallpaper, lose the Persian or sisal carpet.
Paint the walls black and throw in some modern art and BOOM - Insane!
(Source: Spanish designer Luis Bustamonte)
How freekin' chic is this gentleman's dressing room?
No tired-ass mahogany, beveled mirrors or old brass fittings... this is masculine and sexy - not stodgy!
Glam-O-liscious!
The black lacquer's reflective quality creates the illusion of space as it blurs the boundaries.
The black lacquer's reflective quality creates the illusion of space as it blurs the boundaries.
(Source: Designer Bob Brown, Atlanta)
Brown knows how to edit and use only what's absolutely necessary - nothing poncey here!
Instead of the ubiquitous 'hunter green' library, the semi-gloss black adds gravitas and drama.
(Source: Designer Anthony Todd)
This room rewrites the definition of eclectic... however, the black walls are what makes it work!
Imagine all that mis-matched crap in a beige room? ick...
(Source: Spanish Designer Luis Bustamante)
LOVE, this space - it's a mash-up of everything great!
Modern and antique pieces blend seamlessly whilst demonstrating simplicity, elegance and crispness.
BLACK FOR THE CONTEMPORARY HOME
(Source: Pinterest)
A pre-war apartment gets a 'contemporary' makeover.
THIS is what contemporary is all about today; softer and sexy with clean-lines, woods and textures.
The black adds richness and warmth.
(Source: Fashion Designer Veronica Taub)
PURE DOPE!
Lets say, perhaps, you don't like black... You just can't not love this - unless you're Helen Keller.
(Then it would just feel good)
(Source: Designrulz)
Modernist architecture and furnishings looks less frigid with black walls and trim than the usual all-white schtick.
(A tree or live plant would add a lot to this space and help blurr the lines between inside and outside)
(Source: Marie Claire Maison)
I love the reductive design of this Parisian loft!
The artistic approach with the white details makes me immediately think of a Robert Motherwell painting.
(See what a bit of creativity can do with just inexpensive paint?)
(Source: Designer Peter Silling)
This ski lodge ignored the well-known rule that all lodges must be done in the Alpine-Yodeler-Style with plaid fabrics and antler shit everywhere.
Black interior = triple-diamond-bad-ass.
And then, this of course, is how you get to your ski-lodge.
(Source: Studio Fanetti, Italy)
Black Venetian Plaster adds a layer of sophistication, sleekly adding light and depth.
(Source: Ukrainian architect Sergey Makhno)
Look how basic-black easily transformed this bore-ass porch to a badonkadonk chillin' spot!
(Source: Clothing Designer Tom Ford's London Home)
Ford took his awesomeness to a 19th century Chelsea 'manor' home and sexed it up with brushed, satin black walls (like a Steinway piano)!
(Doesn't that just get your shorts tight?)
(Source: Designer Steven Sclaroff)
The black cerused oak screen undulating behind the bed adds depth, mystery and architecture.
(Source: House and Home)
Whaaaaat? Who says black makes a kitchen dark?
(Source: Pinterest)
No more 'clinical' or ornatious all-white bathrooms!
This is sexy, modern and not trendy.
(Source: Designer Erin Martin)
A barn conversion dogged the yippie-ki-yay-country cliche's with black slatted walls and some kickin' vintage pieces.
COUNTRY CASUAL STYLE & BLACK
One doesn't think of black for a colonial cottage, but it's crisp, clean and adds a fresh, unexpected contrast.
(Source: Ambassador Kellogg Residence)
A period home with period furnishings gets a modern twist - black walls with crisp white trim and neutral accessories works beautifully.
(Source: Mark Badgley and James Mischka's home in Kentucky)
These guys know how to dress a chic and a room to make each look stunning!
Their breakfast room is all-black, accessorized with their riding trophies and precious books - creating a cozy, familial space.
(Source: Elle Decor)
A beach house gets a new version of "cool."
Black shutters - not white, create a cool, shadowy texture.
(Source: Designer Bunny Williams)
This family room is a welcome surprise as it's not done in knotty pine or cherry.
Existing furnishings can remain in situ as they've been for a decade or two, because just by adding new black walls, it creates a totally new and updated feel!
(Source: Elle Decor)
Notice how the light floors and walnut desk seem to pop against the black walls.
(I'm not so sure those cheap-ass blinds are adding much to the look however...)
(Source: Photobucket)
This shitty 1940's Sears & Roebuck furniture gets a pass because the black is so freekin' cool!
(Otherwise, Id have that crap by the curb so fast!)
(Source: Country Living)
The black bead-board paneling takes this room to a whole new place as it hides the flaws of an old room whilst making the white fixtures pop - giving a clean, crisp feel.
(Cheap and chic!)
You can do it, I'm here to help!