Welp. I did it. I painted my living room black.
Okay, almost black.
In my heart I wanted navy blue but the sample looked horrible in the space (I might even get rid of blue stuff in the room in general — it just doesn’t play well with others in here). I tried out a few swatches, but this was the clear winner and I’m delighted! In the can it looks like a true gray, but up on the wall it reads as an all-over black. Actually, that is what I love about this color – Cracked Pepper – it looks blueish in some light, brown in others, and sometimes at dawn it looks like a deep eggplant…but you look at the room as a whole and it reads black. AND I LOVE IT. It will look better when I hang the art and bling out the flat surfaces, but I like to live in a space a month or two before adding frosting. I need to bring some more white in the space to balance off the dark, and my recent foliage kick gives it that glamorous, Floridian swamp feel that I love so dearly.
Also. Shout out to this paint. Major shout out.
Actually, the shout out belongs to Eric when he read my post a couple months back about wanting to paint a room black. Dark paints are notorious for requiring multiple coats and a tinted primer, but he suggested I try Behr’s Marquee line and “you can skip the primer and get it done in two coats.”
Well Eric. I did not get it done in two coats.
BECAUSE I GOT IT DONE IN ONE COAT.
Bam!
Okay, maybe one and half. But that’s mostly because I was sloppy with the roller and expected to go back for a second. I bought two gallons thinking I would need that and then some, but you know what? I barely used half a can. This stuff is the best. And that’s not a paid endorsement, and I might even get in trouble with paint companies that have sponsored in the past, but I’m keeping it real and spreading the good word. Y’all. This is it.
Behr Marquee, you have me for life.
Living room, I’ll see you with a hammer later tonight.
That. Looks. AMAZING. I like everything about that.
And I notice you have a flatwoven rug layered on top of a sisal one – how is that working out for you? I plan to do the same in my living room, for the texture of the sisal rug and for the sheer affordability at the size I need. I thought I’d put a fluffy shaggy rug on top, for softness (and again, because I can’t afford it at a bigger size), but I really like how your combination looks.
(Sorry, beautiful wall, I wasn’t planning on waxing poetic about your friend/colleague/rival.)
I *highly* recommend the sisal under rug. Or any natural fiber under rug. As much as I love patterned area rugs, on their own they are like art without a frame — the under rug really sets them off and grounds the whole room in an interesting and purposeful way. Plus, like you said, it’s easy to find affordable plain rugs to fit the room but they are a bit blah — it’s nice to spend the extra $$ on a smaller accent piece. This kilim from Ebay is pretty large but it’s way too narrow for the room on it’s own (I tried). The sisal makes all the difference. Let me know if you go for it — I’ll bet you love it!!
That is fantastic, truly. There is nothing now great about that. And it looks beautiful with your stuff.
Not great, there is nothing NOT great about that.
🙂
Beautiful room. The bright colors seem to look brighter with the dark walls.
Right? I wasn’t counting on that but I’m loving it.
“Glamorous, Floridian swamp” made me laugh out loud. It looks fantastic!
Ooh to the ahh! Yes, I love it, and must find some of that paint. Looking forward to seeing how you bling it.
Yes!
That rug has been waiting all its life for you to do this. It looks absolutely marvelous!!
Ha! My rug agrees with you, Vallen 🙂
Wowzers! That looks fantastic! The reds and other bright colors really got some POP! going on now! It really kinda makes the walls disappear or at least move back further which will make the room feel bigger. I think you are going to love it even more when you get your art back up on the walls. 😀
That’s what I think too. Everyone said dark walls would make things seem dark and enclosed…I feel it’s just the opposite here!
Glad you like it. That plant looks funny up so high – needs to be on the floor – just sayin…,
Nope. I like my plants up high.
I REALLY like the plants up high. It makes the room have a ‘conservatory’ kind of feel. Floridian Glamour Swamp-ish. 🙂
I really like it! Look forward to the frosting post; I’m really excited to see how it looks with art up on the walls.
Also, my heart is melting over Lola sleeping in the sunshine; accessorizing with sleeping animals is my favorite.
I love it! I thought it was a great idea when you photoshopped it in awhile back, and it’s even better than I expected! Thanks for sharing. 🙂 (We are about to paint something a deep, saturated peacock blue, and I think the Marquee paint is the way to go.)
Love it! And your finest bling is Lola.
I think it’s brave and think it looks great! The most epic paint I ever did was in my old kitchen – I painted it pillar box red and it looked great!
By the way – it that a spider plant I sply in your photo? If so, it seems to be a bit of a “retro” plant these day but love it. I have one that I got from my grandma and every time it grows a baby I start more plants. Eventually I think I will end up with a house full of them
Yes, it’s the spider plant that won’t quit! I clipped and replanted the first 10 babies but this plant puts out way too many to keep up with. I suspect she needs repotting. Not my forte!
Fan-frigging-TASTIC!!!!! The colors in your rug, your couch…they’ve all been ELECTRIFIED by the dark walls! What a brave move you’ve made!! 🙂
Wow, it looks even better than I imagined! Do you walk into the room and find yourself grinning at your walls because of the awesomeness? (I admit I am still doing that with my dark bedroom)
Can’t wait to see it with the “vertical abundance” back in place!!!!!!!
Me too 🙂
Looks great! You can always use the dark blue in the bedroom. I hate to say it, but the living room looks great without anything on the walls. Very Zen. But, how does Lola like it?
Lola has taken up residence in that spot on top of the couch, between the plants– she very much approves.
Holy crap, you did it! And it’s uh-mazing! Love it!
It looks RACKIN’ FRACKIN’ AMAZING!!!
Absolutely love it! The contrast of the dark and light with the sofa & rugs is perfect. ❤️
I told you black would be awesome! Your rug looks so fab, I can’t wait to see your art on the walls.
The only real problem now is since you first posted about painting it dark, I want my living room black! NO ONE is on board with me, because it was such a major project last year (where I got out-voted from chocolate brown) to cover fuschia with terracotta
Beautiful work Peaches, thanks for sharing it with us {{HUGS}}
You will persuade them! Although, fuchsia sounds very cool 🙂
Love this look!!!! I look forward to hearing from you every day!
LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!
Great color but I am not gutsy enough for it 🙂
I love the carpet and rug too!
Wow, I would have been quite hesitant with painting my living room black as well. But your accents and accessories really makes you forget that your walls, I do agree that the room is very zen like.
great, great, great, the white woodwork and ceiling really makes it pop! Been using Behr for YEARS outside and inside. will never use any other brand. I like the plants up high, too.
PLEASE tell me where your rug is from – I want the exact one & can’t find it anywhere!!
Ebay. Search lilim rug on ebay and you will find many similar options.
What a beautiful room!!! I was wondering, what did you add to the chandelier? It’s really interesting!
They are straw Christmas ornaments. Homemade!
where is the couch and rug from?
First of all, the space is great so far! Secondly, I disagree with bringing in more white to brighten up the space. More white in the artwork, perhaps, but I would use metallics to brighten it up. Some gold and white on the walls, some copper/gold lighting…..it’s just my opinion. I have awesome taste, obviously, because I love your space. 😉