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25 Feb 2021

Home & Garden

Black Magic

Black ZigZag Tibor by Talavera VázquezThe color black has timeless appeal. Though it actually represents the absence of color, there is nothing bleak or gloomy about it.

Dark, dramatic and positively bewitching, black rooms always make a striking statement. —Kamala Nair

Black is sophisticated and elegant . . . and versatile. A black-tie dinner is always a formal affair, and black is often worn for formal occasions—the “little black dress” for women and traditional black tuxedo for men—yet it’s not unusual to see people wearing black whenever.

Used in the home, black adds a sense of style, polish and refinement, and gracious living to even the most casual space.

Here is a sampling of different ways you can work the color black into your home decor.

Decorating your home with black

(Photo: herz-allerliebst)

A black lacquered door greets visitors at this stately London residence. (Photo: herz-allerliebst)

(Photo: Moss Eclectic)

Entry hall walls, painted black beneath the chair rail, work well with warm parquet flooring.
(Photo: Moss Eclectic)

(Photo: Beautiful Abodes)

A black door and black-and-white tile pop in this small, narrow entry.
(Photo: Beautiful Abodes)

(Photo: Style at Home)

This predominantly white entry relies on crisp black accents and zebra prints for drama.
(Photo: Style at Home)

(Photo: Traditional Home)

A bold graphic sofa is paired nicely with Benjamin Moore’s “Wheeling Neutral” for contemporary, sophisticated style. (Photo: Traditional Home)

(Photo: Ethan Allen)

Black shabby chic shutters, framing the windows, and checked fabric on the wing chairs add casual comfort to this traditional living room. Red toss pillows and wood tones in the flooring, basket, and wall hangings warm the space. (Photo: Ethan Allen)

Fun furniture and accessories

Toss pillows. (Photo: Neiman Marcus)
Baroque armchair with comic book fabric. (Photo: Progarr)
Hand-crafted two-drawer side table. (Photo: Cote France)
Japanese floral rose bowl. (Photo: Kate Spade)

[above left to right] 1. “Samarkand,” “Uzbek,” and “Rangoli” toss pillows. (Photo: Neiman Marcus);
2. Baroque armchair with comic book fabric (Photo: Progarr); 3. Hand-crafted two-drawer side table.
(Photo: Cote France); 4. Japanese floral rose bowl. (Photo: Kate Spade)

(Photo: Houzz)

Set against the backdrop of a custom photo mural, the luxurious black-and-white living room of the NYC Holiday House 2012 celebrates both past and present. (Photo: Houzz)

(Photo: Ethan Allen)

A black glassed cabinet, housing white china and books, sets the tone for this simple monochromatic living room. With such good “bones,” it’s ready for some colorful accessories. (Photo: Ethan Allen)

(Photo: Ethan Allen)

Make a bold statement in the dining room with a sturdy black table and vibrant red upholstered side chairs. (Photo: Ethan Allen)

(Photo: Planete-Deco)

Chalkboard paint covers the wall of the casual dining area in this contemporary-retro kitchen. The black-and-white checkerboard floor looks great with the lime-green refrigerator. (Photo: Planete-Deco)

(Photo: Cliqstudios Cabinets)

The island in this white kitchen was personalized with a carbon finish. (Photo: Cliqstudios Cabinets)

(Photo: The Designer Pad)

A small, chic kitchen exudes personality with an impromptu chandelier, made with six different hanging bulbs wrapped around a pole commissioned from a blacksmith. (Photo: The Designer Pad)

(Photo: Elle Decor)

Lacquered black cabinets in a high gloss finish are striking in this country-elegant kitchen. Benjamin Moore’s “Pink Mix” is on the walls and highlights the cabinet doors. (Photo: Elle Decor)

(Photo: Ethan Allen)

This bedroom is bewitching. Dark, dramatic walls and furniture are offset by soft grey bedding, shiny accessories, and mirrored drawers. (Photo: Ethan Allen)

(Photo: Traditional Home)

An upholstered bed in faded black, muted greys, and white are used in this romantic bedroom. The soft Roman shade has a damask fabric. Antique intaglios hang above the bed. (Photo: Traditional Home)

(Photo: Country Living)

The bold contrast of black and white lets accent colors, like the key-lime green pillow and floral arrangement, really pop. (Photo: Country Living)

(Photo: Sweet Peach)

Modern meets classic cool in this newly renovated farmhouse bath. It has just enough sunflower-yellow accent. (Photo: Sweet Peach)

(Photo: HGTV)

An antique, distressed black dresser is paired with a contemporary sink. (Photo: HGTV)

(Photo: Country Living)

An extra-large bathtub and original painting by artist Kolene Spicher pop against the dark wall painted in Behr’s “Sled.” (Photo: Country Living)

(Photo: Lonny)

Interior Designer Deborah Needleman creates drama in a home office with charcoal walls, a slick black chair, and wonderful warm wood tones. (Photo: Lonny)

(Photo: Traditional Home)

Commanding wallpaper sets the tone for this laundry room. Classic hexagonal tiles cover the floor, while polka dots play under the sink. (Photo: Traditional Home)

(Photo: House and Home)

Here, a simple minimalist style defines the space with bright white cabinets and open shelving standing out against a charcoal wall. The dark color is repeated in the Roman shade. The lime-green area rug is a nice accent. (Photo: House and Home)

Top photo: Black ZigZag Tibor by Talavera Vázquez available at Emilia Ceramics.

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More to explore and enjoy . . .

  • A Hint of Purple
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  • Decorating the Empty Nest
  • Black Magic
  • Living with Winter White
  • Singing the Blues
  • The Relaxed Romance of Rosecliff

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Patricia and TomHi there! Tom and I are two empty nesters who decided to downsize and simplify our lives—lose the clutter and drama, travel a little, laugh a lot, sit back, and enjoy the simple pleasures life has to offer. Read more

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