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By Anne Krueger, HGTV.com
In the decorating world, black is defined as the absence of color. It’s funny, then, that even a little black in a room—any room—can have such an impact. Black elements can bring a pastel room down to earth so it’s not too feminine or washed out. In a space with an eclectic mishmash of furnishings, a repetitive dose of black—a pillow with black piping, a black-and-white photograph, a black fireplace surround—can provide cohesion and pull the whole look together. A touch of black helps neutrals sing and strong colors pack a contrasting punch. So why not try a bit of black in your next decorating scheme? It may not be a “color,” but black is still beautiful. |
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| Black, according to interior designer Mark McCauley, ASID, is a forever color—forever night, forever classic, forever formal. Consider the enduring charm of the classic little black dress or the black tux. “Black is a little dangerous because of its association with nothingness, but it also can feel solid and orderly,” he says. Whatever else you can say about black, it is not wishy-washy. |
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There are many shades of black, not to mention names. A recent online interior paint search for “black” at Behr Paints turned up Beluga, Stealth Jet, Evening Hush, Dark Ash, Black Bean, Blackberry Wine, Black Plum, Black Bird, Black Swan, Black Suede, Black Orchid, Blackberry Farm, Blackthorn and Black Water. Each black brought a little something different to the table—a little blue or purple, some softness or an edge, flatness or depth. And that’s just paint color. The hue of a black rug or window treatment or a painted piece of furniture can vary wildly. |
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