Trends come and go. In the world of interiors, it can be hard to know if what you are currently being drawn to is because you see it everywhere and are subtly being influenced to like that particular trend, or if it truly is “you”. Take dark rooms for example. White was everywhere and then, right on cue, the trend shifts and now all anyone can seem to talk about is color drenching and dark paint colors. I think in the world of storied, collected and personal interiors, a dark room can be full of nuance and charm and ever so snug, in the right context. But this isn’t that.
One day, fueled with a few cups of coffee & and the desire to just unleash my creativity until I was too tired to keep moving - I took the leap. I drove to the paint store and ordered two gallons of black paint, in a beautiful satin finish for just enough light reflection with our picture window in that room. With that much natural light, it would fine, right? Well, it was fine. I mean it was an okay choice. I knew with my wall of white bookcases and the almost floor to ceiling window, I’d make it work. I knew exactly what to do to pull it together.
With the first swipe of the paint roller, reality sunk in. I just…KNEW. I HATED it. Of course, in my creative frenzy I kept going. Why not, right? I mean it was just for fun, maybe I’d love it later, when I put up my white drapery and layered in all the elements that make a room come together. I eventually took a break and stood back to admire the half-painted walls. NOPE. Good feelings were not going to come with time. I genuinely HATED it.
I walked back through the house to find my husband and tell him all about my Saturday escapades. He was standing in our freshly finished guest suite, and I remembered in that instant exactly why I hated those black walls so much. They weren’t me, they weren’t timeless, and they screamed for attention. Quiet comfort, one of my core values at Westbury Design Co. for creating a timeless home, is the idea that a home or a room should feel calm, inviting, effortless. It should be warm, beautiful, and a space you want to linger in just a bit longer.
My black walls were screaming at me - “look at me, look at me, look at me!” That annoying tug on your gaze that won’t let you look away, the feeling that the walls just might come down on you. That wasn’t quiet, it was loud, it was trendy, it was intense. Interiors that feel so good to live in are grounded with classic architectural elements, strong proportions and warm neutrals. That’s the timeless envelope that will never disappoint. The classic warmth of a space designed like that feels like home. Design with that timeless envelope in mind, and you’ll love your house for years to come.
So back to my black walls. They reminded me of an important truth - stay true to who you are. I am not trendy, I don’t do fake, and I’m not one to do something just because everyone else is. Confidence is restraint. Classic endures. And stories make life rich. The black walls had to go. In their place, detailed millwork, warm whites & neutrals, and a stunning chandelier. It’s the classic foundation for all of those collected, storied, vintage finds that give a room soul. It lets you tell your story, which is as trend-proof as you can get.
I love black, it grounds a room and gives your eye the pause it needs. In this case, a lovely black bookcase ladder was all the room needed. I think every room needs a little black, and a whole lot of classic soul.
