You guys!! It looks like its finally happening!! The all-white-everything-interiors trend seems to be skootching itself out of the way, making room for all sorts of color. Even better, it seems like lots of folks are starting to embrace the idea of deep, dark, saturated color palettes and I'm! So! Here! For! It!!!
I know that painting a space a super dark color or hanging a wallcovering with a moody vibe can feel very intimidating; I hear it from clients all the time. You worry it'll be too dark. You worry it will close off the space and make it feel small. You worry you'll tire of it quickly. All valid concerns but I'm here with some tips to help you navigate this brave new world and avoid overwhelming yourself in the process.
Let's start by checking out a couple of success stories for a little inspo!
bless_this_acid_house is constantly doing it right. Check out how they used this super dark paint color as an anchor for the space and then layered these fun, bright colors in the art, décor and furnishings to bring it to life! Notice how they are repeated throughout?
The guys over at littleedwardian also never fail to disappoint. The use of pattern and texture in this space really make this entry way feel so thoughtful and cozy. The pops of gold on the fixtures add just the right amount of warmth.
Feeling really brave?? Take a note from the studiomcgee playbook and just go for it! Here, the design studio painted it all dark including the ceiling, built-in's, walls and all the moldings for a super striking look. They warmed it up with beautiful wood pieces, soft fabrics and organic shapes and materials.
So how do you get from here to there?
Let's start with paint and color palettes. Just because you're going for a moody look, that doesn't mean you have to go all black everything. Look for saturated, deep hues of colors you are drawn to for one or all walls. If you're full steam ahead, consider painting any doors, moldings or built-ins in the room in the same dark color (a trick that may actually make your space appear larger!). If you're easing your way into this, keep some of your accents light and bright to help balance the space out.
Conversely, you can use a lighter paint color on the walls and bring the moody vibes in with other pieces. Grab a velvet sofa in a deep hue, install dark flooring, pick up dark bedding and linen, think about heavy, textured drapery or throw a cozy area rug down under your seating area. The most important thing to consider when thinking of a pallet is tone and saturation.
Lighting is probably the next big thing to consider. Personally, I love natural light and I don't think you need to block your windows entirely in order to achieve a moody look in your space. Try a sheer or woven drape for your windows that will filter light rather than black it out all together. If you use overhead lighting, put it on a dimmer switch. I tend not to use ceiling lighting in my Living Room just because it feels so bright! I much prefer table or floor lamps that create ambient lighting. Actually, my favorite light comes for a salt lamp we have. The stone filters the glow of the lamp so beautifully. If you're feeling whimsy, I love string lights and no I don't think you're ever too old to hang them sparingly somewhere in your home.
When thinking about furniture, an eclectic mix will work best for this type of design style. Think large leather or velvet sofas for a cozy seating area, real wood pieces to add the warmth of a natural element and vintage touches for interest, It's been said that "One should never be the oldest thing in one's house" and this couldn't be more true than when trying to achieve this sort of look. Add texture, texture, texture with a comfy throw, window treatments and upholstery options for a layered look for days! Accent décor is a great way to bring in a variety of materials. If ever there was a time to mix metals, this would be it!
Still a little apprehensive? Start small. Work on a powder room or home office. Paint one wall first and live with it for a while. Let it sink in, This is probably a big change and sometimes it takes some getting used to. If you don't love it, you can always paint over it. As you become more and more comfortable with your new found moody vibes, check out some wallcovering options, purchase some larger pieces and watch your space develop into something magazine worthy!! Shoot! I'm so proud of you!!
As always, I'm here if you need an assist!!
