Black Magic
by habituallychic
11 . 01 . 09
Everyone seems to consider black walls just a trend but by the looks of these chic noir interiors, I’d say they are on the way to becoming a classic design hue. I am especially loving the black magic look of the dark kitchens and libraries. It’s clear that black isn’t just for Halloween anymore! Enjoy!
Barclay Fryery
Jason Miller as seen in The New York Times
Barclay Fryery
House Beautiful
Miles Redd
Aerin Lauder in Elle Decor
Aerin Lauder from House & Garden
Aerin Lauder from Elle Decor
Aerin Lauder from Elle Decor
Mark Badgley and James Mischka in Elle Decor
JK Place Hotel, Florence
Ryan Korban
Mark Badgley and James Mischka in Elle Decor
Via Style Court
Windsor Smith in House Beautiful
Windsor Smith in House Beautiful 
Barclay Fryery
Jenna Lyons in Domino
House Beautiful
House Beautiful
Gilles Mendel
Gwyneth Paltrow, House & Garden
Renea Abbott
Metropolitan Home
Robert Duffy in Elle Decor
Ruthie SommersTop Image: Nancy Boszhardt from House Beautiful
24 Comments
Sold!
I think I shall add a matte black wall to my place.
Hi Heather. Thanks for compiling photos of so many amazing interiors with black walls. This proves that just like the LBD, you really can’t go wrong with a classic.
What black paints do you recommend? I heard the black from Fine Paints of Europe is very good??
What I love about your posts (among other things) is how many pictures you pull out of the archives! Look at all these examples of yummy, glossy, black walls! Hope you had a lovely Halloween!
XXX Kate
Undeniably elegant. I think the creators of these rooms have managed to balance black with enough white/light elements to keep the spaces from being to oppressive. Choosing black is very gutsy, I don’t know if I would have the nerve to go with black walls in my own home. Very dramatic though!
My god, this is every image I LOVE all in one post! Black is so feared and underrated but once it’s put to good use, it’s stunning!
(This is coming from a girl whose closet is 99% black and has to save laundry for a month to get a full load of whites)
I love black when it is in a high gloss…with lots of windows to reflect the light around the space..
Gorgeous way to start the day! 🙂
Seeing is believing! Love them all, from the high gloss blacks to the slightly softer matte finish in that fabulous kitchen! Great selection of images!
I am now cheerfully behind with my day! Heather, you have outdone yourself today. I saved so many of these photographs. What a great way to start my week.
I purchase quite a few decorating magazines each month. Because of your eloquent and refreshing blog, I have added several new ones to my lsit.
Have a great week!
Ms. Smart – I hope you will share photos!
Cherish – I never thought of it in terms of the LBD but that’s a great analogy!
Jennifer – I haven’t used Fine Paints of Europe but I know a lot of designers like Steven Gambrel love them. For blacks, I like ones that have a blue undertone like Railings from Farrow & Ball and Midnight Dream and Soot from Benjamin Moore. Other good blacks are Off-Black and Pitch Black from Farrow & Ball and Black Beauty from Benjamin Moore. Chalkboard paint is also a popular matte choice.
NEO-traditionalist – so glad you enjoyed them! I had a good time pulling out older images that we haven’t seen in a while!
Preppy Pauper – Yes, you are right about the white. If you’re nervous about black, I’d choose a small room that should be dark like a study.
Court – It is funny that people have no fear of wearing black but are scared to decorate with it!
Ivy Lane – I was just reading online that if you plan to paint a room black that it should have lots of natural light. But I also think that it can work in a small already dark room especially a bedroom that you might want dark.
Karena – the kitchens had me at hello! I am definitely saving these images for my future house!
Petal Pusher – so happy I could help start your day and week on a good note!
Love the black. I, too, wonder which black paints you prefer that are the truest (not blueish) blacks.
WOW!! So good to see black is coming back!~ I had a black bedroom for 11 years and LOVED it!! I was told it would make the room appear smaller but in fact there seemed to be infinite space in the room.
Great post Heather.
Sandra Jonas
Beautiful post. And I love that you’ve labeled every photograph underneath- so helpful. Thank you.
Agree with the Neo Traditionalist – that is one of the most extensive posts I’ve seen on black walls.
My favorites are the black walls with the oriental rugs. I think it looks so warm.
VERY tempting…love the kitchens (and Astier). If I had honed white marble I would definitely be trotting off to the paint store ASAP. Wouldn’t it be nice if they invented peel off paint? Trish
This post confirms that I will paint my small half-bath dark dark dark. Either Benjamin Moore’s Day’s End or if I cop out BM Chelsea Gray.
Part of the wall will be wainscoting, so I’m in search of suggestions for a BM white to go with such a dark color! Thanks.
These are some great rooms! So agree that we love to wear black, but scared to decorate with it!
Lutyens loved black walls too, more than 80 years ago!
I wallpapered my room in Noir Imperial Trellis — it looks so freakin fabulous! It has lots of natural light, a white and black geometric rug and a white headboard so it is really dramatic and sexy… Cant wait to get my drapery and shades up so that its finally somewhat finished!
YES.
all of them love.
I think you’re right. It’s becoming a design classic. Like a little black dress for the home. Thanks for sharing all of these gorgeous black rooms.
Every image is stunning. Black is so sophisticated and polished with of course…some mystery on the side. How can you not want to cocoon up in these rooms with a glass of cabernet, a fire…on the way to paint store! Awesome post Heather!
Classic! Black is the perfect backdrop for a little drama.
betsy + kiley
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