Saturday, August 05, 2006
A hint of black does wonders
The colour black is often associated with power, depth, mystery, sophistication and of course shadow. In interior decor, black is used for highlighting or accentuating something. Though predominantly dubbed as sombre, dull and space cutting, the clever use of this colour can actually make your house look modern and sophisticated.
Black is extensively used by the Japanese because they believe it gives power to the house. However, that doesn’t mean they go about painting their house in black. Tactic is what one needs to get away using such a controversial colour, which in the Indian context has a lot of negative aspects revolving around it. Here are a few guidelines:
* Never go for glossy black, it looks very asymmetric and non-stylish. A dull matte finish is what one should strive for. A powder coating would definitely serve the purpose.
* Black can only be used in contemporary decor. When used in a classical decor, it eats up the entire look and makes it look horribly dull.
* Go for clean lines in whatever you use the colour on, be it furniture, artefacts, wall pieces, paint or even borders. Remember not to use black for classical furniture.
* Never combine black with other darker shades because it will create a space eating effect, making your room look very small. The ideal way would be to combine white, grey and black to strike a balance.
* If you are planning to paint a wall in black, get creative and create a stencil effect instead. Select any pattern, be it geometric forms, waves, floral motifs, figures or even dots and then use black to colour the shapes and not the background. Go for pastel shades like beige, cream and light cocoa for the background. White looks good too.
* If you are using black coloured furniture, wardrobes or cabinets, combine it with contemporary steel and glass. The combination works well to give your home a very stylish and sophisticated look.
* Strive for a contrast when you are using black artefacts. A plain black frame against a light background will create an impact. If you have a black vase, go for a tall one and mix it with long stalks of green. The effect will definitely be extraordinary.
* Paint the cornices in black instead of giving borders. Some people also paint the ceiling in black and then try to give it the night sky effect by decorating it with flourocent stars, planets, etc.
* You can go for a black flooring if you have lighter furniture. However, this can be done only in larger spaces. However, if you have predominantly black furniture, artefacts and picture frames, better stick to light coloured flooring.
* It would be a wrong idea to have black coloured blinds. This again makes the room look very small. Alternate them with stripes if you are so keen on using black.
Black is a powerful colour, use it cleverly, lest it starts overpowering you, and more so your home.
