We're Bringing Sexy "Black"!

OBSESSION OF THE WEEK: Black! Black is sexy, mysterious, and moody. It can be an amazing backdrop to showcase your art and treaures, or create drama in your life...(in a good way). If painting an entire room black sounds too daunting for you, try it on an accent wall or hallway. Pair it with a crisp white or a shock of color such as yellow, turquoise, or blood red. It's very glamorous & lux when painted in a high gloss finish, and modern and chic when used in flat, but no matter what the finish, black is ALWAYS sexy!

This is a room I did for my teenage daughter...it's "drama" in a good way!

All this natural light, neutral furnishings, and black and white art makes this room work!

(Photo from Style at Home magazine)

Beautiful living room by Ruthie Sommers

LOVE this bedroom!!!! (Photo via Apartment Therapy)

Dining room by designer Mindy Weiss.

Dressing room by one of my favorite "think outside the box" designers, Kelley Wearstler.

Have dated old oak cabinets in your kitchen? Give them a modern face lift with black paint.(Gwyneth Paltrow's kitchen)

SEXY black tone on tone wallpaper in Gwyneth Paltrow's guest bath.

Dramatic wallpaper from Bravo's Top Design show.

You can't deny the artwork on this black wall. It's the perfect backdrop.

(photo from Domino magazine August '08)

LOVE the black walls, crisp white furnishings, natural elements of wood and antler, and a little hint of apple green. SO BEAUTIFUL! (Photo via Decor Pad)

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! this tone on tone wallpaper!

( Photo via Apartment Therapy)

This room is pure GENIUS!!!!! Not sure I could sleep there,

but I can certainly appreciate the vision.

Black accent wall: Room by Laura Ashley.

All black room with punches of shocking yellow from IKEA.

Opposites Attract

This theory is not just for human behavior, but color as well. Colors that are opposite one another on the color wheel will have great visual impact when paired together in a room. If the majority of colors in your room are in the warm tones (red and yellow based colors), then try adding a few accessories in a cool tone (green and blue based colors). I think you'll be pleasantly surprised! Here are a few fabulous examples to get your juices flowing!

This beautiful color combination of turquoise and hot pink just so

happens to be my FAVORITE!

(design by Polly Wreford)

This is a room I did for some folks that wanted to keep all their same furniture,

so we just added a smoky blue to the walls and funked it up with a playful opposite of orange

on all the accessories.

(Room by: MOI...Judith Balis)

LOVE this acid yellow against the gray...so clean ond fresh!

(Photo from Southern Living)

This beautiful combination of turquoise and persimmon
is quite delicious, don't you think?
(room by: Jennifer Flanders)

LOVE everything about this nursery
by Heather Thompson!

Orange is a WONDERFUL accent color with almost ANY of the cool tones!
(Photo from Better Homes and Gradens)

Again...the cool tones of the lavender Hydrangeas look amazing against

the warm tones of the table and art on the walls.

(Photo from Beyond the Table)

I love the peace and tranquility, yet subtle vibrance of this room.

(Photo from Weddingblog)

Makes you want to drink lemonade, doesn't it?
(Photo from Moving Design)

Warm-toned centerpiece against a cool muddy gray/blue background.

(Photo from Apartment Therapy)

SEXY, SEXY gray and yellow!

(Design by David Jiminez)

I love this vignette:

(Design by Alexandra Rowley)

LOVE THIS ROOM!!!

(Photo from Decor Pad)

Oh Martha! You've done it again...

LOVE the burst of orange against the cool gray and white walls!

And please note that I did NOT say "pop"...it's a personal pet peave.

(Photo from the "Beyond" Hotel)

And last but not least, my most favorite room I have ever done.

Young, fresh, whimsical, (just like my clients!) and my all-time

FAVORITE color combination!