Thursday, July 2, 2009

deep.. dark... black...

Mmmm.... I feel in love... I had found this picture awhile back, from Design Sponge, I think:

And then Desire to Inspire posted these today:

These are photos of designer Jessica Helgerson's latest client, an American Foursquare. For those not into architecture, American Four Square are the two-story boxy houses. Usually have a front porch, shutters on the 4 windows on the front... Anyway... being from the same era as my house (late 1800s / early 1900s), this home has woodwork JUST LIKE MINE!

I have been talking about how I am making this shift from liking white, to going black... And I keep looking at the woodwork in the house, which is stained a medium-to-darkish brown... and thinking, these need to be dark to POP (yes, I said POP, sue me) against my pale walls.

This woodwork is the kick-in-the-butt I needed to make myself want to strip down the woodwork and go dark. Not painted black. But stained ebony. Mmmm...

Now, the white walls? Not something I can go to. I have 4 boys, and I can tell you with light sage green, powder blue, etc... my walls show little bitty handprints like crazy. I know I couldn't deal with white everywhere. My bathroom has white since it is my private sanctuary, and it looks amazing against the aqua blue floor. But, notsomuch in my living room. I am just not quite there yet.

I also love the mix of furniture. I tend to pick up antique / vintage pieces and fix them up. I like things not looking like they all came from the same page of a Pottery Barn catalog. I love it. What would YOU call this style?

6 comments:

Full House said...

yes, yes do it. It will be worth it. I first saw this home on designsponge as well & fell in love.

Rebecca Corvese said...

The pics you showed are beautiful. Almost Hollywood Regency. I love the look! Go for it!

Anonymous said...

It works because she balanced all the trim with equally dark interiors, limiting the furniture and accessories to a glam palette of crisp black and white and crystal. Without that editing, ebonized trim could look just severe and dismal, like someone went around outlining everything with a Sharpie.

I don't think the rooms you show are realistic for a family with little kids.

puck said...

Not with the white furniture... no... not for little kids, I agree. But, with neutral fabrics and some brighter accent pieces, I think the ebony wood oculd work. I will do some more digging and see if I can find some more examples. :)

Its So Very Cheri said...

GIVE AWAY will be posted by tomorrow morning-there's a peak preview of one of the items-go check it out and send everyone over to get their names in Monday morning.
Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com

cotedetexas said...

I think even if you like white - this is not that much different - just adding another neutral = the black. it's very very attractive. I would think one could have a white house and then have a room like this too - a study or an office or a guestroom. very beautiful!