Black is Back, As Decorators embrace A Classic
Like the ubiquitous little black dress, using black in home decor has always been a timeless classic.
But this staple of design, often used sparingly as a subtle accent, has recently ramped up to take centre stage, showing how black is back — big time.
From cabinets to fixtures, window trim, doors, appliances, floors and whole rooms, black is everywhere. It has even been deemed the colour of the year for 2018 by no less than three paint makers, and figures to feature prominently in this year’s CHEO Dream Home as part of the Dream of a Lifetime Lottery (more on that in a bit).
So why has it become so popular again?
“I think it’s a return to classicism,” says designer Henrietta Southam. “When things get uneasy in the world, people go back to the staples. And black is so much a staple.”
For Southam, who is such a fan of the hue that it took over a bathroom in her home, black is a way to express yourself. “It’s for people who are assertive, who know who they are and want to be bold,” she says. “But at the same time, black is a great canvas; it’s as strong a canvas as a white wall is. When you have a white wall, objects, accessories, art, people are framed … Black actually punches things out even more. Everything jumps out on a black background.”
Black adds instant drama to a space, adds Natalie Cox of CPI Interiors. “Every room should have at least a touch of black. It’s a great way to add contrast to a neutral room or to calm down a colourful room.”
While Southam doesn’t subscribe to the philosophy of having black in every room, she does believe that if you have black as a strong feature then you should carry it through your home.
And because it’s technically not a colour, it supports any colour in a complementary way, adds Nathan Kyle of Astro Design Centre, who has also used black generously in his own home.
HOW IS IT BEING USED?
Black is popping up all over the place. At last fall’s Housing Design Awards put on by the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association, black was at least an accent in many entries and dominated the design of several.
Paint makers PPG, Glidden and Olympic Paints have all chosen a shade of black as their colour of the year for 2018.
In announcing the choice, PPG said its reasoning was that black creates the silence we crave in an information-heavy world.
With the more contemporary home exteriors that are being adopted by the city’s builders, we’re also seeing a lot of black window trim and other black accents.
Even appliances are trending black. In a recent blog for Deslaurier Custom Cabinets, designer Andrea De Caria talks of the “colour revolution” going on in the appliance industry, with black stainless steel becoming the new darling as consumers tire of traditional stainless.
“We’re getting a lot of demand for black,” and not just in appliances, she says.
Black is also making a comeback in smaller ways, notes Emily Tait of Emily Tait Designs. “Rather than seeing big black leather furniture coming back, we’re seeing black trimming and black accessories more and more; smaller changes that pack a big punch.”
She loves seeing the black window trim that’s popping up everywhere, along with bold, black entryway doors, black faucets and countertops, even black electrical outlet covers.
Designer Tanya Collins is putting together the look of this year’s Dream of a Lifetime lottery home to benefit the CHEO Foundation. The home, which makes up the bulk of the grand prize in the fundraising lottery, typically features the latest trends.
“Without giving too much away, black will figure prominently,” says Collins. “The interior will reflect a more sexy, sophisticated, dramatic and bold esthetic, while still affording a family’s lifestyle.
“Think black cabinetry, black marble feature wall, black and white hexagon tiles laid in geometric patterns.”
Of course, there will still be pops of colour mixed in to add a little playfulness, she says.
IS BLACK TIMELESS?
“It goes with everything,” says Cox. “Think of the little black dress; you can dress it up or dress it down, it never goes out of style.”
White is classic, but there is staying power in black, adds interior decorator Candace Plotz.
However, she notes, it has changed. “For years we loved the high polish and pristine shine, but what’s so popular right now is matte black, and it’s here to stay.”
Black pairs easily with everything, adds Kyle. “In all its hues, charcoals, mattes and gloss as well as textured woods smoked in black and black glass, all seem to test the timeline of a trend.”
It’s edgy, neutral and chic, all at the same time, says Tait. “It’s high contrast and it will never go out of style, so it’s a pretty safe bet when wanting to stay trendy.”