The House Beautiful Color Institute took place here in Atlanta last week, and the turnout was huge. No surprise, really, as Atlantans are design obsessed...but I think the rest of the country has its fair share of design savvy citizens as well. Stephen Drucker led a lively discussion on color, and when the topic of current design trends came up, Stephen mentioned that dark colors seem to be captivating us today. Case in point...the deep navy kitchen of Windsor Smith and the black entryway designed by Rob Southern (seen above), both of which were featured in the September issue of House Beautiful. This trend is one that has really struck a chord with me, perhaps because I recently painted my powder room navy. All of the talk of deep, dark rooms got me thinking...
Stephen also mentioned that painting a room black is one of the most daring things you can do (design wise, of course). I'm dying to try my hand at this. When I think of black rooms, this one comes to mind:
A room designed by Mark Hampton in the early 1970s. I love the crisp white molding against those black walls. Can you imagine the way this room must have looked at night?? Smashing! (Speaking of Mark Hampton, I am so excited about Duane Hampton's upcoming book on her genius late husband, Mark Hampton: An American Decorator
, to be published by Rizzoli in Spring 2010. This is the book I have been waiting for!!)(Photo of kitchen: House Beautiful 9/09, Victoria Pearson photographer; entrway: House Beautiful 9/09, Victoria Pearson photographer. Giles' den, light version, from Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, September, 2007, Erica George Dines photographer; dark version via Giles' website, Emily Followill photographer. Hampton room from House & Garden, September 1971)