THE DARK SIDE: THE RETURN OF THE COLOR BLACK IN DESIGN
Dark and mysterious, the color black adds a dose of gravitas to a room. Just one hit of black. It's all you need. It needn't be serious or a major moment, as it can be a perfect foil for saturated colors and bold prints alike. This fall, black is popping up in a wide variety of accessories and furniture, so adding a bit of that ol' black magic could be what takes a room from tired to terrific. Here are my favorite finds this season:
Photo courtesy of Jonathan Adler
Jonathan Adler's swanky Crawford Cabinet commands attention with its black lacquer crackle finish, brass detailing and oversized crystal shard pulls. Use it as an armoire or a bar and watch how people gravitate towards it like moths to a flame.
Photo courtesy of Truex
Truex American Furniture Co, a furniture collection started by architect Scott Himmel based on original sleekly glamorous Van Day Truex designs, recently debuted. Filled with iconic re-editioned mid century pieces, this St. Regis Chest is inspired by a similar James Mont design. You can find it at the Truex Style showroom in Chicago and Michael S. Smith's Jasper in LA.
Photo courtesy Bungalow 5
The classic cockpen chair made of mahogany gets a coat of black paint that really shows off the radiating diamond back of the chair, from Bungalow 5
Photo courtesy of Soane
Simplified British-crafted classics for how we live today is how I like to describe Soane Britain. I also think there is a subtle elegance to everything Lulu Lytle designs that is the epitome of chic. Take, for example, the Opera Chair shown above. Pared down to the most essential form, the leather upholstered side chair with aged metal frame can live in a severely modern space or a sumptuously ornate one.
Photo courtesy of Noir
Large spheres hold up the surface of Noir's Kugel Coffee Table, making an amazing feat of suspension in tough black metal
Photo courtesy of Gabby
With clean Art Deco lines, Gabby's Fiona Console has cerused black oak and a brass stretcher and feet adding a glam touch
Photo courtesy of Made Goods
Lattice is everywhere. Anything that looks woven is hot right now, and the small Egeon metal tabouret table from Made Goods adds a bit of global style to the trend, inspired by an African wooden stool
Photo courtesy of Barneys
Pairing a cube and a sphere, Barney's black marble Apollo bookends have graphic appeal making your books look grand. Available in Stylebeat Shop, where I have an assortment of my favorite finds for fall.
Photo courtesy of Oly
Made of molded black resin, Oly's abstract sculpture on a stand looks very now, capturing the essence of Brancusi and other great sculptors of eras past
Photo courtesy of Flair
I always see what Flair Home Collection is up to. One of my favorite Soho design destinations, the owners George Nunno and Jon Maroto have the most incredible things, old and new, sourced from Italy and beyond. They just launched a collection of lacquer items, my favorite being this sleek retro Pyramid Box.
Photo courtesy of Bunny Williams
Metal scrollwork on the Curly Q Lamp by Bunny Williams gives a lightness to this sculptural table lamp
Photo courtesy of Arteriors
A hint of gold leaf peeking out from the linear bronze Vaughn Sconce from Arteriors gives a radiant glow when lit
Photo courtesy of Fort Standard
I selected Fort Standard's easy to mount marble Stone Candle Sconce as my Blogger pick from the NY NOW gift show. Its design, with it's old world vision and modern day application caught my eye for its dual purpose functionality- the base can be removed, making it a free standing candlestick.
Photo courtesy of The High Boy
A coat of black paint transforms a beautiful Regency mirror into a more contemporary piece. The striking monochromatic finish shows off the carved details of this circa 1870 convex mirror available through The High Boy.