Beginning a new year can often feel like taking a step into the unknown, into the darkness where the beam of your flashlight doesn’t quite reach. You move forward, filled with both hope and trepidation for what comes next. And there is something beautiful about the unknown, the mysterious, the dark side. So, today, we explore that darkness and that beauty in interior spaces.
The aesthetic of darkness imbues a design with depth and intensity. In the world of fashion, black ensembles and dark fabrics create a striking look that carries weight and confidence. Similarly, embracing the darkness of an interior can open the space up to possibility and potential that would have otherwise remained hidden.
Overwhelming Undercurrent
Creating a dramatic undercurrent of darkness is both eye-catching and pleasantly unexpected. Though black may seem overwhelming, it can also look elegant, classy, modern, and dynamic.
As with all black fashion ensembles, one of the most effective ways to incorporate this darkness in interiors is by painting large surfaces black—kitchen cabinets and countertops, high walls and ceilings, even entire rooms!
Consequently, black-on-black fashion does not stop at the clothing; rather, accessories bathe the look in darkness while simultaneously adding depth.
Likewise, the interior spaces featured below demonstrate the power of dark decor used on black walls. Frames, shelves, vases, and furniture blend into the shaded background, all the while managing to cast subtle shadows that bring visual intrigue.
Textured Relief
However, texture can mitigate an overwhelming darkness. For example, the woven fabric and fringe in the fashion ensemble below add both interest and relief for the onlooker. Similarly, the interiors utilize the natural and raw texture of the stone walls to commit to the drama without becoming a devastating black hole.
Additionally, texture can be created with precise patterns. The stripes below, both straight and curved, provide unavoidable movement, drawing the eye around the space. Subtle lines on the walls offer another layer of dynamism that would be missing with a solid blackout. The unique lines of the light fixtures offer the same visual relief without taking away from the spectacle of darkness.
Subtle Spotlight
The dark aesthetic is more than shadows and blackness. As we’ve seen in the trending fashions, darkness can be highlighted with subtle accents. Dark, neutral shades used as accents add life into the space.
Dark brown leather furniture blends seamlessly with the black walls and dark decor, but it also brings dimensionality to the space, preventing it from falling flat.
Natural Nocturne
Another easy way to bring life and depth to the darkness is by turning to nature for inspiration. Natural and organic touches are welcome in every color palette and all aesthetics.
The potted tree and vases of flowers below seem to defy natural laws by growing in a space that is otherwise shockingly sterile.
The nods to nature can be as lush or as sparse as you wish. A full fern or pampas grass acts as a way to bring color and texture while a thin, spindly plant can become a whimsical focal point that will have you doing a double-take.
