Matte black can be incorporated into almost any room, but if you’re looking for a definite sense of drama, consider using it for a focal wall.Alex St. Jean
Make a strong visual statement in your kitchen or bathroom
Black is back. The shade that’s long been synonymous with sophistication and a staple in everything from luxury cars to chic apparel (think the little black dress), is turning up in interior design with increasing frequency.
Except this time the focus is on matte black.
“I feel it has mass appeal,” says Bryon Patton of Patton Design Studio in Toronto of the rich non-sheen charcoal look. “We're at a stage in interior design where we are all looking for something different. Black is dramatic and sophisticated for a mature homeowner, yet cool and funky for a younger market.”
Designers have been using black fixtures and finishes for the past few years, but now it’s going mainstream and becoming more readily available. “Matte black is now being used on a broader range of household items – large and small appliances, faucets, basins and door hardware,” Mr. Patton says.
“You’ll see it more prevalent in 2019,” says Christine Da Costa, interior designer, Décor by Christine in Oakville. “People who just go to Lowes or Home Depot for plumbing fixtures, they’ll see matte black for showers, kitchen sinks. Black is everywhere.”
Matte black can be incorporated into almost any room, though it’s showing up mostly in kitchens and bathrooms in such items as countertops, sinks, faucets and shelving. Large appliances, including stoves and refrigerators, are also appearing in black and quickly become the focal point of any room, where they add a definite sense of drama.
“In my own home, I use black carpets that contrast beautifully with our rich polished Deco furniture and the sleek steel details,” says Mr. Patton. Despite that, though, he is among those designers who recommend home owners incorporate matte black sparingly – at first.
“I advise clients to use black in small doses – rather than bigger purchases like large appliances and carpeting.”
Try starting with accent pieces such as cabinet pulls, lamps, cushions, tiles, picture frames, side tables, kettles, teapots and vases.
Used sparingly you’ll achieve the “greatest impact,” says Toronto designer Sara Bederman. Used too liberally it can be overpowering.
Ms. Bederman suggests, for example, a matte black faucet on a kitchen sink with perhaps a pendant light in a low profile matte black fixture. “These are easy things to switch out if you change your mind five years down the road.”
Flatware, dinnerware and toasters and other small appliances are available in matte black too, including Faema Canada’s new coffee machine – the high-tech Jura E8 Piano Black.
“White kitchens will always be classic, but to add some visual interest you’re seeing a lot of kitchen sinks painted black now, also lower cabinetry and (kitchen) islands,” says Ms. Da Costa.
“People are also painting walls black, even in the bedroom,” she says. “Black, or any vivid geometric pattern will always be a conversation starter.”
Most people appreciate its versatility. Depending on what you pair it with, matte black can easily achieve the look you want – from traditional to modern or avant-garde. It basically never goes out of style; works well in any season; and contrasts well with any colour scheme.
“I love mixing it with other metals,” says interior designer Rebecca Hay. “I adore the look of matte black with golds and satin brass, but black goes very well with silvers and stainless finishes as well. Perhaps try pairing it with polished nickels or coppers.”
Some designers say matte black is replacing glossy finishes and that seems to be true, at least when it comes to flooring, due to safety issues, as polished surfaces are very slippery.
But Mr. Patton believes the two can co- exist. “We’ve always enjoyed mixing polished and matte surfaces in many materials. It used to be that gloss was perceived as more expensive, but it’s now accepted as equal.”
One reason to consider using black, says Ms. Hay, is that it grounds the eye in any space. Her tip: “Use the rule of repetition. If you add black to the floor tile or an area rug, make sure you pick up the colour by repeating it elsewhere throughout the space for continuity.”
For Mr. Patton, the upshot of interior design’s latest trend can be summed up in three words. “Definitely purchase black.”
The latest in kitchen trends
Accessible shelving
Retrofitting, rather than tearing apart existing kitchens is catching on, says Linda McFarlane, of Smart Shelving, authorized dealer for Gliding Shelf Solutions. One way is to install custom pullout or gliding shelves, which offer easier access to all the items at the back of the cupboard, in your pantry or under the sink, resulting in increased space and better overall organization. This works particularly well in the kitchen. The sturdy gliding shelves can hold up to 100 pounds.
Black beauty
One kitchen appliance gaining attention this season is the black stainless-steel refrigerator. The departure from white makes a bold statement in your kitchen. And a number of models boast they are smudge resistant.
Dedicated food prep surfaces
Kneading, rolling and mixing can be strenuous exercise, especially when preparing meals for large groups. That’s when it’s handy to have a dedicated station that’s adjustable for height to make it easier to chop vegetables, roll out pastry and knead dough. These surfaces can be created at the end of a kitchen island, an extension that tucks away, or a freestanding addition, in materials ranging from marble to wood.
Island colour
A white kitchen will always be classic, but you can add drama and interest by making changes to the kitchen island. “The island is almost like your showpiece,” says Christine Da Costa, interior designer, Décor by Christine in Oakville, Ont. “People see it, it sits in the middle, so that island should be a different colour than your upper and lower cabinetry. That’s where you can be more adventuresome with your colour.” She suggests sage green, dark navy, or charcoal.
Seamless countertops
“Most contemporary kitchens,” says Sara Bederman of Sara Bederman Design in Toronto, “could benefit from a Corian countertop, because it’s seamless, unlike marble, quartz or granite.”
“You can make it long, repair it, or refinish it if it gets damaged. It’s also pleasing to the eye and the touch because it’s not as cold as stone.”
Multi-task dishwasher
Dishwasher drawers that have separate washing stations have found a market and come in handy at dinner parties says Ms. Bederman. “It allows the homeowner to select different wash cycles for different types of dishes - delicates [like China] in one and heavy duty [dishes] in the other.”
Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.