I spent the weekend attempting to turn my kitchen into a chic retreat. Badly in need of a lick of paint we decided (I should really say I as Graham wasn’t so much into the idea) of changing the palette slightly. Electric blue cupboards have now gone deepest darkest black and the wall colour has changed from an inky grey to a grey thats as deep but with undertones of lilacy pink. I adore this hue – uber cool store Merci in Paris have used it and its taken me about 3 months to track it down. Infact I am tempted to work in the kitchen all day rather than up one floor so much do I adore the combination of pinkish grey with black.
Now onto my campaign of bringing the world over to the dark side. If you are thinking of tarting up your space this fall how about giving black a thought. Nothing looks smarter right than throwing on that perfect little black dress or suit well the same goes for rooms. It may feel bold to paint your walls black but the results are stunning - sophisicated, mysterious and undeniably stylish.
I believe Nate Berkus designed this pad and whilst its perhaps a little too designed for me the black walls set a very sophisicated tone for this dining room.
Super grown up this library painted out in black is incredibly snug. Not so sure about the flooring but hey ignore me I am the fussiest being on earth.
The overall point really is not to be scared of going dark once you’ve crossed over there really is no going back. Oh and from experience you must always paint two coats before making a decision the first dark layer is always horrible but by the time the second goes on magic – black magic happens.
I adore dark colours and your immages but have doubts about my hallroom. It has no windows, no light und normal ceiling hight – if I paint it in a dark colour incl. the ceiling (this pinkish grey sounds so appealing to me), wouldn’t it look too dark? Or should I go for a lighter colour if any?
I honestly wouldn’t go pale its just so wishy washy. When going dark (my hallway is also dark with not much natural light) play upon this by making it snug and magical. The trick is to light the space with oodles of low level lighting this creates the most amazing glow. For instance I have a chandelier which gives off vertially no light and then on the narrowest console ever two oversized table lamps. The result is tantalising every time I open the door my heart skips a beat – and how sad is this I actually hate leaving my space. If I could potter around here for ever and never leave a happy girl I would be x
I too have recently started thinking black after being inspired by the new Coco Chanel film ‘Coco & Igor’. Her country pad was completely monochrome like Coco herself. Probably a bit too much for me as I do like some pops of colour but it looked very stylish. The White Company have some lovely white sheets in with black ribbon trim – I’m tempted to paint my bedroom black and buy them. I’m not sure I’m brave enough though.
Can I dare ask the name of your new paint colour Abigail?
The lilacy grey sounds fabulous – is this the French paint you mentioned a while ago? And if so, are you still planning to give us pictures?
Hoping so.
I painted a bedroom recently with a grey so dark it looks like black, but when the light shines on it, it becomes blackberry. I want to eat it, it’s so delicious!
It is indeed and your wall colour sounds fabulous
Spit it out! What’s the name of the paint?
You can’t tantalise us with this colour and not name names
(thank you!)
I apologise its called Lave and its by the French company http://www.ressource-decoration.com. You can’t actually see it on the website – however if you google image the store Merci in Paris they have painted their cafe and bookshop in this heavenly hue.
Loving those shelves! The black bones are amazing, and chairs look so quirky in there. Your new kitchen sounds gorgy – have you kept the cupboards matt? oxo
I have indeed kept them matt and they look fab
Wow, that looks beautiful!!
Rikke:)
i love love love the dark walls and am thinking of venturing in to the dark side and struggling to choose!?
I have a black chalkboard wall in my kitchen that I love and considering dark grey or possibly more black for the adjacent dining room. I am becoming a bit obsessed with dark rooms and am desperately scanning my F&B paint chart. Please help!