Images: Ceramics – Utsuwa Kenchin | Smoke Chair – Moooi | Bedroom – Decoholic.org | Fireplace – Trendenser.se | Globe – Neiman Marcus | Wiesmann – Topspeed.com
Back to black. This is the title of Amy Winehouse’s 2006 album – as well as one of my personal favorite tracks from the now iconic chanteuse. It’s also where we find ourselves design-wise as a huge trend towards black and monochromatic color schemes continue to build. So what’s different this time around? It’s all about finish. While the look for the eighties was focused on glossy, lacquered shades, today’s obsidian tones are all about a matte, sooty finishes. Interiors incorporating this sooty shade reflect a subdued, masculine look that’s imbued with the tactile quality of chalkboards, coal dust and charred wood.
Images courtesy of: ThatKindofWoman.Tumblr.com | Tsao McKown | Service.Central.com.au
Flat out gorgeous. A surprisingly important inspiration shaping this emerging trend comes from an unexpected place – automotive design. The “murdered out” paint finish, as it’s defined in the Urban Dictionary, began cropping up as an after-market automotive finish in cities across the country a few years ago. This method of covering an entire vehicle, including wheels and any chrome accents, in a matte black finish eventually found its way into high-end exotic automotive design – thanks to several trend-setting influencers. It stands in sharp contrast to a sea of glossy, lacquered finishes seen on the other cars on the road. It gives an effect that’s steampunk grunge, auto primer and a dash of Mad Max. Now it making a subdued splash into home decor.
Burn baby burn. Another influencer in this matte black trend can be found in the rising interest in shou sugi ban – a traditional Japanese technique for scorching the exterior of wood in order to preserve and protect it from the elements and insects. With a growing interest in hand-crafted, artisan techniques for design and preservation, this eye-catching finish is a natural fit with today’s aesthetic.
Images courtesy of Style.com: Yiping Yin | Giorgio Armani | Alexander McQueen
Don’t be afraid of the dark. The little black dress isn’t many women’s wardrobe must-have for nothing. This versatile shade truly goes with almost anything and can work in virtually any space. When paired with white walls, light wood and clean lined furniture, this new matte finish can be brought in to create a modern, Swedish style interior. Go for more drama with a tone-on-tone interior using textural black upholstery, painted woods and shades such as Benjamin Moore Cracked Pepper and Farrow & Ball’s Kettle Black on your walls to create a space that’s dark and moody.
Shop the look. Below are some images and links to my favorite new pieces for bringing this winning look home. Explore and find even more ideas for creating your own mystical, moody space at HouseBlended on Pinterest.
1) Cable Knit Pillow, Black, Check for Pricing – Houzz | 2) Black Web Pillow Cover, Black, $20 – Society 6 | 3) Greta Large Cushion, Black, Evitavonni, $325 – Barneys New York
4) Orrick Lamp, Matte Black, Arteriors Home, $312 – Interior HomeScapes | 5) Cecilia Table Lamp, Matte Ash, $379 – Shop Candelabra | 6) Barn Light Indoor Pendant, Quorum Lighting, $43 – Lighting Direct
7) Black Glass Candlestick, $18 – Global Table | 8) Large Chalkboard Globe, Jamie Young, $362.50 – Zinc Door | 9) Black Book Boxes, Shagreen, Nikki Chu, $67 – Overstock
10) Roadhouse Leather Chair, Black Leather & Brass, $249 – CB2 | 11) Brody Tufted Wingback, Safavieh, $499 – One Kings Lane | 12) Womb Chair, Black Boucle, $3,871 – Design Within Reach
13) Eames Molded Plastic Wire-Base Chair, $459 – Design Within Reach | 14) Norfolk High-Back Windsor Chairs, $169 – Target | 15) French Industrial Stools, Antique, $975 Each – South of Market
16) Avenue C Table, Black, $169 – Crate & Barrel | 17) Parsons Table, Black Marble Top & Dark Steel Base, $819 – Crate & Barrel | 18) Recycled Tire Table, $350 – Pieces
19) Olio Collection, Barber & Ogersby, Black Starting at $19.99 – Royal Doulton | 20) Motubu Noodle Bowl, $22 – Jayson Home | 21) Cambridge Silversmith Flatware, 5-Piece Set, $69.99 – Bed Bath & Beyond
25) Rubber-Coated Bath Collection,Starting at $3.95 – CB2 | 26) Papagena Bowl, $770 – Lladro | 27) Black Terrazzolite Cubes, Starting at $28 – Jayson Home
25) Restoration Rug, Kaleen, Check for Pricing – Rug Studio | 26) Boucle Rug, Jute, Starting at $27 – West Elm | 27) Anice Rug, Hand-Knotted, 5×8, $999 – Crate & Barrel