Decorating
Get the Gloss on Shiny Black Features
From full gloss to a satiny sheen, light-reflecting black surfaces on furniture, wall finishes or cabinetry will always impress
Since Coco Chanel created the Little Black Dress, we’ve all known how sophisticated and essential black is to our wardrobes. Today, even Apple has got in on the craze for black accessories, with a new iPhone launch showcasing not one, but two blacks: matt and the new high-gloss finish of ‘Jet Black’.
In the last few years, designers such as Greg Natale, Kelly Hoppen and Abigail Ahern have followed the trend in fashion and encouraged us to flirt with black in our home interiors. Black can achieve a super swank effect, but when it’s offered as a gloss black, magic happens! Here are 10 examples of where a glossy black feature has added instant sophistication to a room.
In the last few years, designers such as Greg Natale, Kelly Hoppen and Abigail Ahern have followed the trend in fashion and encouraged us to flirt with black in our home interiors. Black can achieve a super swank effect, but when it’s offered as a gloss black, magic happens! Here are 10 examples of where a glossy black feature has added instant sophistication to a room.
Contrasted with matt materials
The mirror-finish of a glossy black surface can be accentuated when paired with duller materials. For a super contemporary look in the kitchen, contrast high-gloss black joinery with a superbly smooth matt-finished concrete kitchen benchtop. The shiny black surfaces of the cabinets also provide a counterpoint to the white ceilings and floor, while reflecting the abundant natural light.
Why this works: The solid, dull grey concrete form of the waterfall benchtop provides a visual rest from all that glossy black carpentry on both the wall unit and under the benchtop.
Kitchen trend: Black is back
The mirror-finish of a glossy black surface can be accentuated when paired with duller materials. For a super contemporary look in the kitchen, contrast high-gloss black joinery with a superbly smooth matt-finished concrete kitchen benchtop. The shiny black surfaces of the cabinets also provide a counterpoint to the white ceilings and floor, while reflecting the abundant natural light.
Why this works: The solid, dull grey concrete form of the waterfall benchtop provides a visual rest from all that glossy black carpentry on both the wall unit and under the benchtop.
Kitchen trend: Black is back
Mixed with metallics
The opposite of the design dictum ‘less is more’, i.e. ‘more is more’, works a treat when one strong element is matched and balanced by another, in this case glossy black walls and furniture with burnished gold accessories and finishes. The lacquered gold ceiling seen here in this sumptuous living room is complemented by a gold-toned rug and velvet sofa – with the effect being very glamorous. Both the shiny black walls and gold ceiling reflect and bounce the light from the window around the room, ensuring this formal sitting room is anything but dark and dreary.
Why this works: An all-gold room would be overwhelmingly bright, so a black wall and furniture diminishes the intensity. Plus, the black and gold elements complement each other, mostly because they are used in equal measure.
DESIGNER TIP: The striped curtains tie the palette together beautifully, breaking up the solid block of black and gold, and creating a decorative bridge between the two elements.
The opposite of the design dictum ‘less is more’, i.e. ‘more is more’, works a treat when one strong element is matched and balanced by another, in this case glossy black walls and furniture with burnished gold accessories and finishes. The lacquered gold ceiling seen here in this sumptuous living room is complemented by a gold-toned rug and velvet sofa – with the effect being very glamorous. Both the shiny black walls and gold ceiling reflect and bounce the light from the window around the room, ensuring this formal sitting room is anything but dark and dreary.
Why this works: An all-gold room would be overwhelmingly bright, so a black wall and furniture diminishes the intensity. Plus, the black and gold elements complement each other, mostly because they are used in equal measure.
DESIGNER TIP: The striped curtains tie the palette together beautifully, breaking up the solid block of black and gold, and creating a decorative bridge between the two elements.
Applied on wallpaper
An all-black wallpaper is hardly any different than a painted black wall, but when a pattern is introduced and rendered in black gloss and matt finishes, the effect can be striking. Here, a geometric pattern of large glossy spots on a matt field brings a subtle design element to the room; the spots are only noticeable when the light falls across the wallpaper from an obtuse angle.
Why this works: The glossy wallpaper provides interest without overwhelming other elements in the room. It also produces an overall calming effect – perfect for a bedroom.
DESIGNER TIP: This wallpaper would work just as well in either a stripe or grid pattern.
More black bedrooms
An all-black wallpaper is hardly any different than a painted black wall, but when a pattern is introduced and rendered in black gloss and matt finishes, the effect can be striking. Here, a geometric pattern of large glossy spots on a matt field brings a subtle design element to the room; the spots are only noticeable when the light falls across the wallpaper from an obtuse angle.
Why this works: The glossy wallpaper provides interest without overwhelming other elements in the room. It also produces an overall calming effect – perfect for a bedroom.
DESIGNER TIP: This wallpaper would work just as well in either a stripe or grid pattern.
More black bedrooms
As bathroom wall tiles
This bathroom wall, covered with glossy black wall tiles, is adjacent to an enormous window through which light can shine directly on to the glazed wall surface, thereby bouncing light further into the room.
Why this works: The black tiled wall provides a great backdrop for the generous white oval bath, and is supported by a mix of black and white floor tiles. A monochrome palette can then be enlivened with coloured decorative items, such as towels, blinds or chairs.
DESIGNER TIP: I recommend using a black grout for these tiles. However, keep in mind that cleaning products and bleach can lighten grout, which can look awful over time.
This bathroom wall, covered with glossy black wall tiles, is adjacent to an enormous window through which light can shine directly on to the glazed wall surface, thereby bouncing light further into the room.
Why this works: The black tiled wall provides a great backdrop for the generous white oval bath, and is supported by a mix of black and white floor tiles. A monochrome palette can then be enlivened with coloured decorative items, such as towels, blinds or chairs.
DESIGNER TIP: I recommend using a black grout for these tiles. However, keep in mind that cleaning products and bleach can lighten grout, which can look awful over time.
Painted on the ceiling
Not many people consider anything other than matt white ceilings, so painting a ceiling a high-gloss black can create an unexpected feature in a room. The black gloss ceiling in this living area adds a sophisticated air to the space, and works best when other features and furniture are light-coloured.
Why this works: Both the floor and ceiling are highly polished and darkly coloured. This causes the filtered light from the curtained windows to bounce around the room, creating a glowing effect on the ceiling’s surface.
Not many people consider anything other than matt white ceilings, so painting a ceiling a high-gloss black can create an unexpected feature in a room. The black gloss ceiling in this living area adds a sophisticated air to the space, and works best when other features and furniture are light-coloured.
Why this works: Both the floor and ceiling are highly polished and darkly coloured. This causes the filtered light from the curtained windows to bounce around the room, creating a glowing effect on the ceiling’s surface.
As a backdrop for artworks
Pictured here is a tiny powder room painted a gloss black, but the eye is instantly drawn to the artworks. This is because, in a small space, light bounces off glossy black walls to create such a shiny environment that any paintings and prints hung there will stand out far more than if the walls of the room were white.
Why this works: The black of the wall acts like a giant frame around the paintings.
DESIGNER TIP: For clients who want to hang artworks, I often recommend a dark-hued glossy wall. Even if the artwork is also dark, the effect still works, because the sheen of the gloss finish creates a contrast.
The case for leaning art
Pictured here is a tiny powder room painted a gloss black, but the eye is instantly drawn to the artworks. This is because, in a small space, light bounces off glossy black walls to create such a shiny environment that any paintings and prints hung there will stand out far more than if the walls of the room were white.
Why this works: The black of the wall acts like a giant frame around the paintings.
DESIGNER TIP: For clients who want to hang artworks, I often recommend a dark-hued glossy wall. Even if the artwork is also dark, the effect still works, because the sheen of the gloss finish creates a contrast.
The case for leaning art
As stained flooring
A polished black floor can lift the mood of a conventional room by offering a slick design feature. Anchoring the decor in this converted apartment in an industrial building in Brisbane is a black-stained hardwood floor finished in a super glossy coating.
Why this works: Like the image before, a highly polished and darkly coloured floor can help to bounce light around the room, which is especially welcome when the walls are also on the darker side. Plus, a highly polished floor can create the impression of cleanliness.
A polished black floor can lift the mood of a conventional room by offering a slick design feature. Anchoring the decor in this converted apartment in an industrial building in Brisbane is a black-stained hardwood floor finished in a super glossy coating.
Why this works: Like the image before, a highly polished and darkly coloured floor can help to bounce light around the room, which is especially welcome when the walls are also on the darker side. Plus, a highly polished floor can create the impression of cleanliness.
Painted on window frames
Black shiny window frames create a similar effect to that of a framed artwork, i.e. capturing a scene and drawing your eye to it. The expansive windows and French doors in the house pictured here open the room to private gardens.
Why this works: The black grid pattern of the windows allows the viewer to look through and past the doors on to the gardens beyond.
DESIGNER TIP: If you have a room with floor-to-ceiling windows that lets in a little too much light, hang up a sheer curtain to draw over the windows at those times of day when there is too much glare from the sun, and the ambiance of the room would benefit from filtered light.
Black shiny window frames create a similar effect to that of a framed artwork, i.e. capturing a scene and drawing your eye to it. The expansive windows and French doors in the house pictured here open the room to private gardens.
Why this works: The black grid pattern of the windows allows the viewer to look through and past the doors on to the gardens beyond.
DESIGNER TIP: If you have a room with floor-to-ceiling windows that lets in a little too much light, hang up a sheer curtain to draw over the windows at those times of day when there is too much glare from the sun, and the ambiance of the room would benefit from filtered light.
As a wall unit
By concealing a television and framing a fireplace with glossy black panelling, this living room wall is able to accommodate two features that have vastly different functions. As the television is also black, the focus is on the light-coloured fireplace and artwork above. In fact, it takes a second glance to realise there’s also a television next to it!
Why it works: By placing the television against the gloss black wall, its own black glass surface recedes. In contrast, the fireplace is treated as a visual feature and meant to be looked at as much as it is meant to be used to warm the room.
By concealing a television and framing a fireplace with glossy black panelling, this living room wall is able to accommodate two features that have vastly different functions. As the television is also black, the focus is on the light-coloured fireplace and artwork above. In fact, it takes a second glance to realise there’s also a television next to it!
Why it works: By placing the television against the gloss black wall, its own black glass surface recedes. In contrast, the fireplace is treated as a visual feature and meant to be looked at as much as it is meant to be used to warm the room.
Available as furniture
Styling a room requires a mixing up of textures and tonal palettes. A shiny black lacquered piece of furniture works perfectly with matt walls, metallics, plants, timber and artworks.
Why it works: The black helps emphasise the simple but strong lines of this hallway console. Colours can be introduced though art or flowers.
TELL US
Have you used black gloss in an unusual but exciting way in your home? Share your tips in the Comments section.
MORE
Be inspired by a gallery of black and white design
Styling a room requires a mixing up of textures and tonal palettes. A shiny black lacquered piece of furniture works perfectly with matt walls, metallics, plants, timber and artworks.
Why it works: The black helps emphasise the simple but strong lines of this hallway console. Colours can be introduced though art or flowers.
TELL US
Have you used black gloss in an unusual but exciting way in your home? Share your tips in the Comments section.
MORE
Be inspired by a gallery of black and white design
You can create an awesome first impression by painting the walls of an entry in black gloss. The super shiny finish adds drama and intrigue right at the doorstep. Here, it is exquisitely offset by crisp white architectural details and decor, including skirting boards, scones, a console and chandelier.
Why this works: Painting all the walls in black gloss is unusual and unexpected. However, be prepared for the effect to be pretty overwhelming at first. Once you get used to it, you can be assured that you’ll always feel special when you enter your home; and first-time guests will no doubt be awestruck!
DESIGNER TIP: For a velvety effect, try painting the architraves and skirting gloss black and the walls matt black.