Black may seem a risky decorating move, but as the stylish spaces of a new Lehi home prove, the payoff can be huge.

Center-Right: House of Jade Interiors’ Erin Morgan, Kirsten Kransen and Jamie Nash.

 

Remember when we were all afraid of the dark? More specifically: We trembled at the idea of decorating with sombre black. Not anymore. Black has stepped out of the shadows and has become a favorite among today’s top decorating trends. Forget dim and depressing. In the right hands, black turns dull to dramatic, bleak to chic. For proof, we present a family home recently completed by Murdock Builders and House of Jade Interiors. These pros collaborated to create a stylish, livable haven for homeowners who have a taste for the dark side.

Here’s our second-to-last tip on black decor for Spring!

Keep it Simple

That’s Clever: Unlike a large, solid chandelier, the free-form, wire-and-bulb tentacle light fills the over-the-table space without adding bulk or blocking light.

“All black against all white” is how Kransen describes the eye-catching dining space. “Its super, super simple,” she says. The trick is to letting the lines and textures of the furnishings do the talking, she explains. The chairs’ quilted details, the tabletop’s glossy finish and the base’s wood grain all help give the everyday space a daring, dimensional look. An unruly, ultra-contemporary light fixture animates the room while bold, black window frames ground it with strong linear forms. “We didn’t add a rug or window coverings so the design’s simplicity could standout” Kransen says.

 

See this full feature for more expert insight into decorating with black!

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Brad Mee
Brad Mee is the Editor-in-Chief of Utah Style & Design Magazine.