Black is not a colour
Four minute read
Black is not a colour… but merely the absence of light being reflected back at us. And what’s more mind blowing is that it is the only hue that can exist in nature without any light at all (takes a while to try to get your head round that right?).
And yet I find it one of the most important back up tools in any decor kit. So why is black such a great ‘colour’ to use at home (okay, I give up, it’s easier to call it a colour)?
As a non-colour it won’t interfere with any of the other colours in your room. So feel free to use it wherever you’re stuck as to which hue to pick.
It creates a little pause where the eye can rest…a sort of visual break from the energy of whatever else is happening in a room.
As an interiors’ tool it works brilliantly when combined with neutrals. It’s natural solidity and opacity, against a backdrop at the opposite end of the light spectrum, works beautifully to create a simple yet impactful decor palette.
If you want to add a splash of contrast, but don’t feel confident when it comes to choosing a colour to do this, black will work with anything without clashing.
Finally, it’s the perfect thread to tie a room together. Picture frames, vases, the odd black pattern woven into textiles etc. will all help to create a visual flow and pull all your various bits and bobs together.
So there you go, just a few reasons why black can be a decorator’s friend. But as always there is a caveat…too much black and you’re in danger of creating a gothic palace noir.
Unless of course that’s the look you’re after.
A few of my favourite black accessories I’ve spotted recently: