Just like that 'little black dress' or a well-tailored man's black suit, using black as a base in any fashion arena is a safe bet to a great look. This stunning Moen bathroom is a handsome testament to that. In the right setting, black proffers a sense of understated elegance and style. Making it work requires a sense of balance and good lighting.
Using black as a base for a room might seem daunting, but as you can see from our feature photograph it can be quite stunning. The trick is to balance it with a neutral colour that will keep the room from being too dark and heavy. The lovely flannel wall colour was a great choice for this particular bathroom. It's a masculine colour but gives a soft backdrop to the strong black cabinets and accessories. Other wall colours that work well with black would be a medium to light taupe colour, sage green or even an Oxford blue. Choose an eggshell finished paint to create a 'dry look' to the walls.
Wallpaper with a faux suede finish would also be a great option. A fine pattern like a pinstripe might be stunning, as well. If you prefer more patterns in your room, you could definitely opt for a black and white toile in muted tones to give the room more visual movement and a feminine touch.
Light flooring with a small pattern was used in our feature room. It reflects much needed light from above and keeps the space open and airy.
The black vanities are the feature of this room but take note they have decorative details and hardware. If these cabinets were flat-faced, they would look rather boring. So, if you're considering painting an existing vanity in black, add some moulding to the door faces before you paint them. The hardware, like great silver jewelry, gives the dark finishes a bit of sparkle and personality and gives the eye a break from the large expanse of black. (You can see this effect in the vanity along the back wall. If the hardware was black as well, the entire cabinet would look like a black void.)
If there were no other black accents in this room, the dark cabinets wouldn't make sense and they would make the room feel bottom heavy. Bringing black accents onto the top half of the room provides not only stunning contrast but helps relate the vanity cabinets to the rest of the room.
Most of the time, one wouldn't think of painting window trim in black but look how it works in this room. The Roman shade, which mimics the colour of the countertops, is a tailored option that works well in this setting. Again, to make it relate to the rest of the room, black accent bands were added to the shade. I mentioned a 'tailored' option for a reason. A window treatment with frilly fabric installed on the outside of the window frame would not only cover the feature window but also would not fit the masculine lines of this space. Choosing the tailored shade that is mounted on the inside of the window frame is a much better option. A small decision that makes a huge difference.
Again, you could have some fun with the window treatment by choosing other colours or patterns for the Roman shade. Black and white toile would add a bit of pattern as would a shade made from actual suit fabric like a pinstripe or even a herringbone pattern.
Lighting is a biggy in a room with a black foundation. Not only are there down lights over several sections of the vanities, but there is a light source from the ceiling, as well. Consult a lighting expert to ensure you've got the right kind of lighting for your particular room.
Here are some lighting tips from HGTV's designer Samantha Pynn, who has teamed with Philips to show Canadians how to transform their homes with lighting:
-- All well-designed spaces have multiple light sources. Aim for a minimum of five-point combination lighting and ensure they are all dimmable to avoid increased energy consumption.
-- Arrange lighting at different heights. Using a range of fixtures, such as pendant, recessed and wall sconces, in addition to desk, table and floor lamps.
-- The trend now is raw, industrial-looking fixtures where bulbs are visible. Globes and chandeliers can be used in the same spaces to compliment the look.
-- Good lighting is better than plastic surgery! When people look great, so will your furniture and accessories. Using a combination of task lights with ambient or mood lights will not only make people look good, but can enhance the look of furniture as well.
-- Wherever possible, decorate with the environment in mind. It is important to buy items that will last; for example, LED bulbs can last up to 23 years!
"Layering with light provides a depth to a room that you won't get with one bare bulb in the ceiling. Creating atmosphere using light is an easy and affordable fix," says Pynn, principle designer on HGTV's The Mix. "LED light can enhance your furniture, art, fabrics and paint, illuminating the true colours of your decorating scheme."
connieoliver@shaw.ca
