Dress to impress
Effortlessly stylish, the Little Black Dress has been a staple of women’s wardrobes ever since Vogue published fashion designer Coco Chanel’s groundbreaking illustration of a sleek black crêpe de Chine dress in 1926.
The dress was revolutionary not only in its elegance and versatility, but also in its use of the colour black, which until then had been associated with mourning. With one deft turn, Coco transformed black from a colour associated with funerals into something chic and elegant that can now be integrated into modern interior decorating.
Back to black
To harness the power of this dramatic colour in your own home decor, take inspiration from Chanel and let this colour play a starring role. Don’t be daunted by walls adorned in black paint – not only are dark walls wonderfully atmospheric, they’ll also make your room feel more expansive, especially when balanced with a light colour palette for your floor and ceiling.
Drama queen
When used as a statement colour, black adds drama to neutral colour combinations, especially crisp, clean whites like pearl and ivory. A little bit of paint goes a long way – you don’t have to use very much to create an impact.
Layer up
Add warmth to black with layers of comforting textures – think knitted throws, cosy cushions and fluffy rugs in charcoal and cream colour palettes. For the finishing touch, add a vase filled with white camellias – Coco’s favourite flower.
