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

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 the first tip of many to come this season!

Finesse the Finishes

The lower level’s high ceilings and abundant natural light gave the design team exactly what it needed to successfully use black as a way to satisfy the homeowners’ desire for a moody entertaining space. “When you have really good light, black works,” says designer Kirsten Kransen, who teamed  with  Erin Morgan and Jamie Nash. The design team chose assorted finishes to make the most of each dressed-in-black feature. “Eggshell gives the ceiling a little sheen to make the surface more interesting,” Kransen explains. The brick feature wall, on the other hand, boasts a matte finish. “Anything shiny would have made the brick look cheap,” says Kransen, noting how the material’s texture alters the paint color, delivering depth and dimension. No-sheen finishes also define the built-in cabinets, as well as the adjoining walls. Underfoot, the gleaming finish of dark-gray concrete floors help prevent the room from feeling dim or drab.

See this full feature for more expert insights on decorating with black!