Black Out

Black bedroom walls have typically been associated with rebellious teens and devil worshipers. But, i'm here to say...black is beautiful.  Black walls, done right, can look clean and crisp and make a room really stand out. Plus, your guests will impressed at your decorating finesse. ;) I think the black-walled rooms below are white hot.

The pale greens and blues in this bedroom soften the walls of this mod room.

Classic style, paired with deep black/brown walls give this room a lift.

An mix of traditional and clean-lined furnishings, medium-tone, rustic wood floors and

little pops of color set against black windowed-walls

make this room airy but super-cozy. 

A rustic but elegant kitchen gets just the punch it needs from

black walls and a black floor. Red accents and natural wood

make a perfect combo. 

I just love this bedroom. Cozy and ecclectic with a great mix of colors.

Black walls anchor the room perfectly.

Big statement bed against black walls and white trim. Soft grays

paired with a wooden bed make this room so inviting.  

Black walls look dramatic behind a white fireplace and the colors in

the chair off-set the brown desk. Lovely.

What a great kitchen. Love the marble and the white traditional

accents. Back/brown walls are the perfect backdrop. 

This is an example of how to do an accent wall in black.

This is a blue/black color that really anchors the wall decor.

Yes! You CAN paint a baby's room black! This modern room

using geometric shapes as the main decor. The black accent wall works

well because it pulls from the black and white curtain.

 

I adore this room! The blue accent chair is brilliant. 

Pottery Barn-like style (transitional) set to black walls

that secure the room and make it cozy. Rattan

rug lightens the room, as do the white drapes.

Sleek, clean, black bedroom. No teenage angst here.

Hot pink throw is wonderful.

Another of my fav rooms! I LOVE the wide plank, light-colored floors and

traditional desk paired with the dark walls and all the little desk accents. 

The light window shades are airy and breezy. This office is divine. 

  Super modern is not my fav style. But, the wood walls are

a rustic splash against the scandanavian furniture

Cream accents with a touch of orange are well placed.  

What do you think? Would you ever paint a room black?

A Room With A View

Location, location, location. In these homes...it's all about the view.

 Lovely mountain background. Truly picturesque.

A bit modern for me, but who wouldn't want 

a living room view of Big Ben? Timeless ;)

Nice cottage look with great little garden view. Simple and cozy.

Oui Oui monsieur!  I wonder if the owner of THIS view would

trade apartments with me...

Clean lines with a cozy stone wall and windowed-walls

with views of the trees. I'd like to put the kettle on and watch

a movie on their flat screen.

 I'd like to add some "stuff" to this sparse space, but the view is great!

Not a big fan of this decor, but who can resist the a home

surrounded by the ocean?! I suspect this may be a yacht...

Sleek, modern, floor-to-ceiling windows up in the mountains...

furniture doesn't look to comfy, but certainly a lovely view. 

Again, if I could just get in and cozy it up a bit...

this would be a perfect home with a beautiful view!

I think this little corner office is soft and lovely and inviting...

AND has a great city view to boot. 

Ok, I can't actually SEE the view from this porch room, but I had to include it bc I love the stone fireplace and wood floors.

This may be the very definition of peace.

White and beachy with pale colors and seagrass rug, a fireplace AND the

serene blue ocean in the background. Not too shabby. 

 The furnishings are a bit dull, but still, a cozy lake view.

My fav is the Paris view...which is yours?

Let There Be Light Fixtures

My biggest decor dilemma is that I can't decide on just one style. I appreciate many design styles and just adore mixing many styles within one space.  I like contrast, surprise, imperfect symmetry. And, I'm a person who notices light fixtures usually thinks they need some...spice.

So, it's no surprise that I love the way a chandelier looks in a kitchen, even and especially in a non-fancy kitchen.  A shimmering glass chandy hanging above a beat-up old farm table... Yeah, that's the stuff.  

Here are some kitchens that I think wear their light fixtures well...

This black chandy is unexpected and a great contrast to the 

easy blue walls and mod bar stools.

 

 This kitchen's dark wood island brings elegance together with modern touches of chrome appliances and leather chairs. The chandeliers are a nice touch.

This light fixture is simple, but just perfect for this room and pulls the black trim

from across the room into focus. Plus...my favorite flowers,

pink peonies, are on the table in the background. Yum.

 

Country-ish kitch...sparkling chandy. Love it.

 

Distressed table, chandelier, elegance mixed with rustic. Brilliant. 

 

I just loved this light, so I had to include it.

This is an example of a very sleek, modern kitchen paired with a glitzy, 

more traditional hanging light. Good stuff. 

 

I just love how this roostery, traditional, almost English cottage meets French country kitchen looks with this little wrought iron chandelier.

It's the perfect, and not typical choice. 

These chandys are the perfect touch for this white on cream kitchen.

They are not a huge contrast, but so much more interesting than 

the typical hanging light fixtures you see in most kitchens. 

 

Again, fancy-ish chandelier over a casual, light wood, table. Perfectly matches the white kitchen cabinets and then delivers a little punch over the contrasting table. 

 

Ok, not chandeliers, but I just loved these lights and I also LOVE when designers put a dark table in the midst of a soothing white space. It's just lovely, isnt it?

 Completely different look. LOVE these lights. They are more modern

or art-deco-ish, against traditional kitchen accents. Nice!

Which, if any, of these kitchens is your favorite?