PAINT IT BLACK
Using black judiciously in home decor
While black is a common favourite when it comes to clothing — think little black dress, or classic black tux — it's less so when it comes to home decor or design.
“People are afraid of black but if it's used correctly, in the right conditions, with the right light and in different finishes, it has so much depth,” said Natalie Dionne, of Natalie Dionne Architecture.
“There's a well-known French artist known as the master of black, Pierre Soulages, who has a museum dedicated to his work in France. All of the paintings are black, but they're all very different because of their texture and finish, as well as the lighting they're displayed in.”
The truth is, a bit of black is essential in everything, including design and decor. It's grounding, can be used with any style, and enhances all of the other colours and shapes around it, much like a picture frame does, according to Dionne.
As the architect behind Black Box I and Black Box II — residential projects in Westmount and Notre-dame-de-grâce, respectively — that used black as a guiding line, Dionne is close to a master herself.
“Black is enhanced by light. Indoors, I'd say it's important to use black in areas that are bright,” she said.
“Black absorbs lights, so I think it should be used when a space gets a lot of natural light. Even if it's a very small space, like a bathroom, if there's a large window you can use dark colours, which is what we did in the bathroom with the slate tile.”
As the creator of unique, limited-edition pieces of sculptural furniture and lighting, Simon Johns says he's naturally drawn to shades of black.
“Black furniture, in certain light, is reduced to a silhouette. But as you move towards it, it reveals its details — and secrets — by reflecting light,” he explained.
“I try to make sure a piece has an overall form that sets intentions for a space, and that it can draw you in — to say something different as you approach it. The existence of the textures and subtleties depends on the light finding them. That mystery, a combination of hide and reveal, even makes it sexy.”
Johns lives along the Missisquoi River, where he's surrounded by cliffs that bear an uncanny resemblance to the pieces he creates.
“I've always been drawn to that texture, the way the stones have delaminated and broken off from their sedimentary weaknesses,” he said about the inspiration behind the ledge console, one of his most recent — and popular — pieces. A floating console that's mounted to the wall, made of solid ash with a black glass top, the console's handcarved façade is what makes it ideally suited for use in black. The wood is scored across the grain and then carved, creating patterns of variable depths.
“That texture that you get reveals itself because it's black and it's reflecting light,” Johns said, “the way the light catches all of the little angles and crevices.”
TIPS FOR USING BLACK
Interior designer Michael Godmer, who has worked on a number of eye-catching black-themed projects — such as a vestibule/ mudroom in Outremont, at Elmwood Residence; and a kitchen in Boucherville, at Pierre-biard Residence — has a number of recommendations to help use the colour to its full potential.
“The mudroom is very simple; it's minimalist and helps focus your attention on where you want it to go, which is the Moroccan-style tile, instead of everywhere around the room. The black really highlights that,” he said.
“As for the kitchen, we had a lot of elements to combine there so we split it up into three main areas: for serving, in black; for cooking, in wood; and the island in the middle, which is white. The black was used both as a contrast and to integrate all of the elements that needed to be included.”
Other Godmer guidelines for using black include:
Choose the right shade, because some have a purplish tint and others are jet black; look for a really dark grey.
Black absorbs light, so avoid finishes that are too matte (or too glossy).
It shows fingerprints easily, especially in natural light.
It's best used in small, deliberate, doses or all in, like the mudroom. That being said, all black can seem a little showroomy, especially for a kitchen.
It isn't neutral and doesn't blend well with colours like red or blue. Even black and white can be tricky.