Paint black walls

dezigndirection

8 years ago

This family room gets northern exposure during the day. I'm considering painting the walls black. Any thoughts?

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Geneviève

8 years ago

Vallejo Street Highrise · More Info

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dezigndirection
Original Author
8 years ago
Sorry...it's actually southern exposure ☀️
Geneviève
8 years ago
Looking at your furniture and its colour , I say not a good idea .
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Get a damp meter, they're not expensive. Test the area to see what the readings are. It could be old mould...............it's definitely mould. If it's dry to the touch then it's ok. However, if the damp meter shows moisture, you would be best advised to strip back all the wallpaper, wash the walls with anti-mould spray. If it is damp then you would need someone in to investigate why. Sometimes it's just simply down to poor ventilation, nothing more sinister than that. But...............yes, do get it investigated
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User
8 years ago
May I ask why you are thinking black?
curlysue82
8 years ago
Do what you want, it's your space, but since you're asking....not so sure it's a good idea. You have dark furniture and the stone fireplace would make it cave like. Don't get me wrong, dark walls can be gorgeous, but you need the right furniture to pull it off.
lefty47
8 years ago
HI -- You know I think you could try ... it's only paint and it is a popular design thing to do right now . If you don't mind re-painting if it doesn't work out .
User
8 years ago
I recommend Glidden's Gripper primer when you repaint;)
Geneviève
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I think that painting only one wall black would suffice for now ,live with it for a bit then decide on the rest but I still think that if you had lighter furniture like white,red , yellow and grey it would then work.
Geneviève
8 years ago

East London Flat · More Info
ash
8 years ago
I painted my one wall in my living room black... Well.. really dark grey.. Lol.. (everyone calls it black)...and gold... And I have some dark furnishings in it... But I think it looks really good...
Try it.. Maybe one accent wall first to see how it looks? After all it is only paint.. Lol
PRO
JudyG Designs
8 years ago
I have no issue with the black walls but I think that your furniture is too dark and heavy to make it work.
Karenina10
8 years ago
I love this inspiring photo of neo classical decorating, Let's analyse why it works. It has a theme and its sticking to it - the Romanesque bust in the corner, the sweeping curve of the ottoman legs with paw feet, sumptuous fabric on the furniture. All are earmarks of this theme. It sticks to a limited palate of Ivory and very dark. It is a black room but is also nearly 1/2 percent light. There is a highly reflective quality to the paint finish so it can bounce light rather than absorb. The ivory in the carpet, ceiling panels, ottomans, light shades, even book spines and animal print pattern strengthen the light value against the black by their very contrast.

Rules of proportion, again are crucial here. It takes a small, intimate space to pull off a bold colour like this. It doesn't use a high ceiling, to stretch the eye upwards at all. Rather the ceiling detail draws the attention downward, to where the eye is delighted with a beautifully coffered space as interesting as the walls. The furniture is minimal and arranged tightly, practically knee to knee. The dark surfaces are resplendent of architectural interest and quality craftsmanship. Keeping to a tightly controlled theme, even the cabinetry and storage is built in where everything is kept within the confines of a designated space.

It is a wonderfully inspiring style and I think you can have it all. You seem to have a huge space in your before picture. You could remodel your room to create a space to have something similar. Find a contractor or an interior decorator and change it up a bit. Its definitely worth it.

K
Karenina10
8 years ago
This could work in your large room.
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DC Interiors & Renovations
8 years ago
Black is not a good idea with your existing furniture, so unless you are planning on getting all new furniture/accessories I would recommend very dark chocolate brown instead.
PRO
dezigndirection
Original Author
8 years ago
I am actually moving an ecru colored sofa in place of the loveseat to get rid of the matching set look. Breaking up the darkness of the big furniture pieces will help if I have the guts to paint the walls black.
User
8 years ago
I think painting walls black requires confidence in your choice. After reading your last comment about having the guts to do it, I probably would not do it for that reason alone. I would usually say "do it, it is only paint", but after just repainting my sons bedroom which was half black, I will tell you that you will need to use a good primer to cover when you do repaint it.
Judy Mishkin
8 years ago
unless you are doing it fairly glossy, black walls dont really look black, they look like a black tshirt thats been worn and washed for a couple years... that is, dark grey.

i'd rather bring black in other ways.
PRO
dezigndirection
Original Author
8 years ago
I'm hearing all the comments and I am going to forgo black walls. Any suggestions on what color? I'm open to any ideas! This room hasn't been painted in ten years. Adjacent kitchen is painted in keystone gray if that helps. Love the feedback!
c w
8 years ago
What about trying a neutral colored wall with black trim. I think that would be very fetching in your space and would be easier to work with over the years for decorating than black on the walls.
Alex Sandonari
8 years ago
I love using dark colors to control light. I would suggest a dark grey with a brown tint, combined with a light grey with a slight blue tint. Paint the wall with the fireplace, and it's directly opposing wall the dark color. The remaining walls the light color. For a bit more drama, try using a high gloss in the dark color, and a flat for the light color. Changes in reflectivity help keep a room from becoming too dark.
gtcircus
8 years ago
Pick a color from the stone fireplace and then paint the walls and ceiling the same color. I think the paint stopping half way is awkward. Additionally the contrast with the white vaulted ceiling doesn't look right. Remember the ceiling is your FIFTH wall. Also, try suede paint, you have the room and furniture to pull it off.
ecpt
8 years ago
First -- that's a really cozy, comfy looking room! What is that above your fireplace, is it tile? I love how it sets off the mirror. Second -- it looks like a somewhat dark(ish) color you have now. Maybe try to lighten it a bit; you could stick with the same color family, just a few shades lighter. I also think introducing some orange or golden/mustard yellow accents (like pillows, vases, other small accents) would liven it up.
Diane Kennedy
8 years ago
I would go the opposite way and paint a soft light gray.
PRO
Owling Dog
7 years ago
Benjamin Moore's website has a simulator that is very helpful when trying to imagine color. See: http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/personal-color-viewer - I've used it several times with great results! http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/personal-color-viewer

Paint black walls

Geneviève

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dezigndirection
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Geneviève

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Paint black walls

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