Deadly night shades

“Experiment with dark decor by starting small, so simply paint an alcove or feature wall in your chosen shade, which is what I did. Don’t judge the effect until you’ve applied at least two coats, which allows you to achieve the full depth of the shade,” advises Ahern. “I don’t

confine myself to black, although I love it, because greengreys through to deep chocolate browns, inky blues and plummy purples are equally effective and I’ve used them throughout my house.

“Rather than synthetic paints, which can have a uniform, flat appearance, use those with natural pigments; they have interesting nuances of colour which will reveal themselves in different lights. “For example, a black can have undertones of brown, and blue can reveal green hues.”

TIP: Limit yourself to accessories in two or three colours for each room, so you achieve colour cohesion rather than chaos.

For example, with a green/ grey backdrop, introduce green shades, caramels and electric blue.

Abigail Ahern’s paint collection, made with natural pigments, is full of atmospheric hues, from Damson to Hudson Black and Rivington Blue: 2.5L of emulsion/eggshell, £33. Arachnophobes look away now – Graham & Brown’s black Cobweb Moonlight Wallpaper, £69 per roll, is decorated with silvery webs, but it’s chic rather than creepy and brilliant for a feature wall.

If you’re truly committed to a sombre palette, source furniture to complement the look. Furnish’s wonderfully eerie acrylic Essey Illusion Table, £159.95, resembles a tablecloth that appears to float above the floor.

Harveys’ Black Glass Noir Extending Dining Table, currently on sale from £399 (normally from £499), would pair well with Occasionally Louis Perspex Chairs, £155 each, The French Bedroom Company.

Little touches turn a room into a stylish haven, and Rockett St George’s Pumpkin Decorations, £17 each, in black and gold spots or checks, or Halloween Spider Fan Decorations, £5.99 for a pack of three, Ginger Ray, are both attractive enough to show off year round.