Friday, March 25, 2011

Black magic and its powers to transform a room....

Happy Friday! Hope you are well, glad its the end of the week.....looking forward to a busy but fun weekend. I have spoken often on my posts about how much I like black elements in interior design. Black truly has the power to transform a room or space unlike any other.... It offers so much drama, high style, elegance and old world-ness to virtually any room. Whether it be black and white timeless marble floors, a black kitchen, a huge black hutch, dramatic black walls in a dining room, there is no denying the power of black in a room. It also looks sensational next to virtually any other color.
 So today I pay homage to the use of black in interior decorating, and showcase a collection of different rooms and spaces that underscore my point. Though I realize it might not be for everyone, there is no denying the impact it has in a room. Some of the prettiest interiors I have seen have had elements of black in them, and it is highly effective when used properly....like most things in interior design, its all about scale and balance. I personally will be using black in my kitchen and butlers pantry. Would love to know, as always what you think and if you have a favorite! Do you have any black in your own and if not, would you want it? 


Elegant black dining room as interpeted by Ralph Lauren
Black and white floors and black walls make for a very elegant and dramatic foyer 
hallway, Max and Co.
M Elle designed this beautiful inviting space in shades of soft black and charcoal with pops of orange and reds in the books and throws.
A gorgeous painted black door offers subtle drama and elegance, Jan Showers
Atmosphere Interior Design went all black in this elegant dining room while keeping the warmth of the wood table for contrast
Beverly Ellsley chose black for the beautiful center island and accented black in the floors for maximum impact, and it worked!
Elegant and old world feeling black and white marble checkerboard floors, Elizabeth Dinkel
Love this Parisian bistro vibe at work here...Stephen Shubel designed this stunner of a  black 
kichen....love the floors too!
Rich European feeling bathroom gets a bold rich marble floor with  black, white and gold design
A black runner, black framed prints were used in this elegant foyer with black painted floors, Sherill Canet
Black painted walls and black floors give a dark and dramatic contrast to the white dining chairs, Elle Decor
Black is not only for indoors! Mary Mcdonald went bold and dramatic in this black and white setting....pretty exciting
SR Gambrel created this stunnig black and white marble foyer/hallway...resplendent!
S R Gambrel designed this living room, with a base of black and infused pops of bright colors
Sometimes a few statement pieces in black are all that is needed, Graham Moss
John Jacob achieved the perfect balance here wiht light and dark using black accents
One of my favorites...John Jacobs designed this exquisite  kitchen with black cabinetry
Stunning black cabinetry graces this gorgeous butlers pantry, Arthur Dunnam
A black kitchen works everytime...especially when topped with rich white marble
Sometimes you don't need an entire room to be black, just a few carefully chose black accessories just does the trick, as show here by Beverly Cleare
John Jacobs painted this bathroom wall a soft black and used white for extra punch and wow factor!
Love this tall black and glass cabinet....STUNNING! Mallory Marshall
Candler Lloyd chose charcoal walls and black chairs for punch in this otherwise muted colored filled room
Jiun Ho created this beautiful pared down but dramatic seating arragnement in front of the fireplace, charcaol and black are used here
Jiun Ho designed this drama filled dining room with textured walls and ovesized dining fixture
Gorgeous black Belgian reclaimed floors...fabulous!
I wouldn't think I would like a black bedroom but John Jacob with his trained and talented eye used just enough white to soften this beautiful dramatic room
Gorgeous room trimmed in black ,wtih black floors gets an extra punch with white seating and beautiful crystal objects for light, Decorpad
I love the impact and power of an elegant black painted chest in a foyer or hallway, Nathan Egan
Robert Brown designed this masculine and regal looking black surround tub, love the window treatment which brings in the black but manages to keep them light
Elegant swank looking black painted library...very chic
Ted Yarwood designed this simple, masculine powder room using black lacquered walls
Beautiful, sleek glossy black kitchen is pure drama and elegance...love the white floor as the contrast
A black damask paper in this super elegant powder room is superb looking, Ashley Goforth
Old world feeling black painted kitchen wtih a terracotta looking trim, different for sure!
Mary McDonald created this dramatic black dining room with accents with orange and pale blue
A black library is very rich looking
This beautiful vintage feeling bath with black tub and black walls/window treatments feels wonderfully old fashioned, photo by Melanie Acevado
This black and white bathroom certainly makes a bold statement, Lony magazine
Rob Southern painted his foyer glossy black to match the black door and used white and black marble floors for the light contrast that makes this foyer smashing!
Sensational black foyer accented with white and pale grays...quite beautiful!


Would love to know if you have a favorite and would love to know how you feel about black in interior decorating in general....would you, have you used it? Have a fabulous Friday!






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41 comments:

  1. These rooms are all so beautiful and dramatic. While I don't have the guts to paint an entire room black I do like touches of black on furniture. I've been slowly painting all our inside/outside doors black on the inside. Scared the heck out of the husband but now he loves it!

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  2. Good Morning!

    These are all just so beautiful. My husbands sitting right here next to me looking & loving too:)

    When we built our beach house, we had our master ceiling painted black. ohh Now I am really missing that house even more after seeing these images.

    Have a blessed weekend!!
    ♥, D

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  3. Gorgeous post.There's nothing quite like the impact of black. One of my favorite kitchens of all time is a Belgian kitchen with black cabinetry and black and cream floors. The designer pulled off a feeling similar to the library photo you posted. Here at Brambly, I stick to using black on some of my floors and pieces of furniture to keep the look fairly humble and better suited to my home. Have a beautiful weekend.

    Ann-Marie

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  4. Ironically, I just decided last night, as I drifted off to sleep, that I would try to keep the black tile floors in my bathrooms and work with them, rather than replacing them. I have a round morvian star tile insert that I have decided to have installed in the master bath. I have had it for three years and i had no idea where I wanted to place it!
    This post reinforces my decision!

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  5. LOVE these! I remember when my aunt said she was going to paint her dining room black…we all shuddered…it looks fantastic!!! We all love it! Hope you have a great weekend!

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  6. Wow what a great post and an impressive collection of inspirations in black & white. I find the dominance of black in interiors so sexy and chic. I'm glad I found your blog :)
    Anna

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  7. So many fabulous examples. I agree with Deb - I think ever room should have a hit of black - it anchors it and gives it a touch of glamour!!

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  8. You showed some of my very favorite rooms here. Absolutely stunning images

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  9. is there anything more aristocratic than black and white floors?
    i don't think so.
    hmmmmm.....maybe limestone.
    xxx

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  10. I love them all - but Image 5 is my favorite for sure. Happy weekend! xx

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  11. Beautiful images! I hadn't heard of Jiun Ho before - that room in front of the fireplace with the opposing chairs is so interesting and sophisticated!
    http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/

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  12. Tina, my favorite is the kitchen by Malory Marshall with those beautiful tall glass doors!! All of these images are so beautiful. I always try to talk myself out of black but I am always drawn to rooms done with a lot of black.
    I think I will go [paint some doors black.
    Have a wonderful weekend. I know that you are so excited about the progress of your home.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  13. You shared some great arguments supporting the use black in one's color scheme! I really struggle with it on walls or as a major element, probably because I am a product of the Midwest, where half the year we have very little natural light, let alone sunshine. Having said that, the John Jacob was very attractive, as was the library and several other rooms.

    Sending you a wish for an outstanding weekend!
    tp

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  14. lovely post, but honestly, i find your font so difficult to read - it is too faint - and i am wearing glasses!

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  15. I'm a huge black fan. You should see my closet? When given the choice for me personally , I usually choose black and always feel good in it. I think it can do the same for a home. It grounds the space, and everything looks good with it. My particular favorite is the black painted doors, windows and trim. Love it!!! Have a great weekend, Tina.

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  16. Black is one of my favorites. We decided on black granite countertops in our bathrooms - that, unfortunately, was a mistake. It looks great when it's perfectly clean. But one little speck of towel lint or a drop of water and it's marred.
    I have always liked the black and white floors shown in a few of the pictures you posted.

    Have a great Friday!

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  17. I'm more of a white and light decorator, but I can certainly appreciate black in decorating. Those pics were stunning. My favorite was the Ralph Lauren dining room and that bathroom with black damask paper and the staircase with a black runner and...heeehee.

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  18. One of my "rules" is that every room needs a touch of black! I've already got a few of these pics in my inspiration folder, but I am stealing that Ralph Lauren dining room! I love that Mary McDonald dining room, too. My own dining room is somewhat similar, the same blue on the walls, with black furniture. I've been trying to come up with an accent color to give the space a little more life, and that orange she did may just be it!

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  19. Seriously, some of those pictures took my breath away. They are stunning and it takes somebody really talented to pull of some of those looks!
    That is taking black to a new high for sure.

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  20. Beautiful pictures! I always try to have a little black in every room. Even if it's just a black frame. I am currently wanting to paint the interior side of our front door black.

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  21. Black adds great drama to a space. The spaces you featured are so stunning too. Happy weekend to you! XX

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  22. So glad I came across your blog! I love this post... black is so dramatic and elegant, and creates such a distinctive design statement. Thanks for sharing your wonderful inspiration pics!

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  23. Tina really love the John Jacob Bedroom!! So elegant yet comfortable. Stunning images all!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  24. I love the John Jacobs bathroom; I'm another one that couldn't imagine painting a large room black, but in smaller rooms, I think it's stunning.

    Great choice of rooms, Tina!

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  25. Love the use of black accent pieces, a black island or a light colored island with absolute black honed granite. Just like the little black dress...always in style.

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  26. The best post on black I have ever read! Oh my gosh, you have THE best photo library & a great eye for the kind of style that grabs me and sit's me right down!
    I will be visiting this over & over for sure and has anyone mentioned that you have the prettiest header around? I just love your choices. Can I live with you when you finish the house?
    xo Lisa

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  27. My front door is actually blackish charcoal gray and I love it! That's all I have black....lovely post!

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  28. I will always adore black & white floors! What a yummy soft black with charcoal in image three. Great examples!!

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  29. I can't comment on a favorite because there are at least 7! I will say the name John Jacobs came up twice. I have always been a fan of black & bought a lot of black & gold furniture when I was younger. I added to that with a huge black & gold hutch a few years ago that is on the opposite wall of my cherry dining hutch. When eating in the dining room the mirrors in both give you that infinity feeling! I have never been bold enough to paint black or use with countertops, but after seeing this post, I just might! Thanks so much for this post of MY FAVORITE COLOR (next to green)!

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  30. Great images. I love black. Black cabinetry, black lampshades, black and white marble tile, black hardware......all good. Love Steven Gambrel's room with the emerald green accent. Beautiful eye candy!

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  31. These are lovely! Those kitchens are just amazingly fabulous! Have a gorgeous weekend, Kellie xx

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  32. Black is such an elegant color. We have lots of deep colors in many of our rooms from chocolate browns to eggplants. We have painted furniture pieces black, but have yet to use it as a wall color. We are getting ready to paint my studio and our master bedroom a deep charcoal grey though. I think dark colors elevate everything else in a room.

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  33. Your files are amazing. I always like black accents and for here at the beach, black with equal parts or more white, sort of like in your last photo.
    Great post.

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  34. You brought to us some of the best examples of great design using black. Too many favorites but quite fancied the kitchen by S.Shubel. I am a sucker for the moody dark interiors that give a comfy, nesting vibe. I painted one wall in our home a glossy black by Ralph Lauren. It's a 2 story wall that has a white bricked fireplace with windows flanking each side. Doing so took the emphasis away from the wall drawing the eye to the pool beyond. The least expensive most dramatic change I ever did.
    Great post, enjoyed tremendously. Hope your weekend is a lovely one?!

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  35. Would Love to Follow your home process- What an Amazing home..
    Love all your Inspiring Pictures.. SO SO Inspirational
    Happy to follow you...
    Karryann

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  36. You are definitely a girl after my own heart. I love these styles....I have a powder room in soft black!
    xxRenae

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  37. I think every room needs something black. your collection of pictures for this post (and every post) is amazing!!

    xo,
    Tessa

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  38. Wow so many stunning rooms! My personal favorites are the charcoal bedroom by John Jacobs and all the black kitchens..all so elegant and old world. I wouldnt' ever paint a room black but love touches to add depth and dimension to a room.

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