Use darker paint colors, lighting to create dramatic decor
“The gray that is popular today has navy blue in it, like a deep night sky. Sometimes it looks black, other times the darkest navy, but always luxurious.”
Q. Over the next several months, we want to freshen up our 30-year-old bungalow with some new furniture and add a bit of color. Currently, the interior is all white with some wood paneling. The trendy colors they are showing in interiordesign magazines and paint stores are dark browns and grays and deep purples, which I think are kind of depressing. What would you suggest?
A. You have been living with white for many years, so I suggest you add color slowly.
The dark shades you mentioned may sound disheartening, but they can, in fact, be very warm and tranquil.
You create the mood in your rooms with a combination of color, furniture, fabric, lighting and accessories. Why not start your redecorating in the bedroom?
Thinking about this year’s hottest colors, I was inspired by one of the luxurious rooms at the stylish Franklin Hotel in London. The first impression is one of glamour and a unique, theatrical sense of style, one you don’t come across in a normal day. A mirrored bed? Wow. Far from feeling heavy, the dark blue/gray walls are a perfect backdrop for all the sparkle of the lustrous furnishings.
Choose one of the darker tones to paint your bedroom walls. You will notice that day and night light shifts to produce beautiful shadows, so it seems as though you have painted with more than one color.
The gray that is popular today has navy blue in it, like a deep night sky. Sometimes it looks black, other times the darkest navy, but always luxurious. Farrow & Ball’s Blue Black is perfect. With not too much blue and not too much black, it is glorious in both daylight and artificial light.
If it seems daunting to you to paint the whole room in a darker shade, try it on just the wall behind your bed. Oversized headboards made from a distinctive fabric are captivating and appear as a central feature when set in contrast against a dark wall.
As you continue through your home, you will become more confident with your color choices. Use glass and mirrored surfaces to enlarge and illuminate any space. Plan flexible night lighting that you can control to make the rich dark tones hum.
Q. We are planning the lighting for an addition to our home that will combine an eat-in kitchen and living room for a large, multigenerational family. What happened to uplighting? No one seems to use it anymore, but I think it’s lovely. Any tips on how to incorporate it into our lighting design?
A. It’s difficult to say why this type of lighting isn’t more popular today. Uplighting is an excellent solution to many decorating dilemmas. It sets up a mood and provides important emphasis for the areas you want to highlight.
Uplights are small and are located on the floor against a wall. The light beams wash up the wall, producing a softly lit path that shows off artwork and a wall’s color or finish.
Anyone who’s into ’70s decor will recognize the ubiquitous use of uplighting snugly placed under a potted ficus plant. The shadows it creates animate a room, making the most of a space with limited architectural detail.
Your new room will have many uses. If you yearn for a little drama or a contemplative respite, perhaps in one corner, introduce one or two uplights — a clever decorating addition that will be enjoyed by all ages.