10 Cool Ways to Embrace the Trend of Sharp Black Lines
Combine a white backdrop with bold strips of jet black to create a sophisticated look of elegant silhouettes
Denise O'Connor
April 27, 2017
Denise holds a degree in architecture from Richview School of Architecture in UCD. After graduating in Dublin she moved to London where she worked on residential, healthcare and office schemes including the award-winning headquarters for Holiday Extras for which she was project architect at Walker and Martin. In 2005 she returned to Dublin and set up architecture and interior design consultancy Optimise Design.
Denise is an architecture and interiors columnist for the Irish Times and a contributor for HOUZZ. She is also a regular contributor to various other publications and also gives lectures on a range of topics. She was a presenter for the first series of the RTE TV show ‘The Design Doctors’ and is the creator and name behind the successful paint collection for Dulux called Signature...
Denise holds a degree in architecture from Richview School of Architecture in UCD.... More
The industrial trend that’s been popular for a while has had a sophisticated makeover. Think pristine white walls used to showcase linear black furniture and architectural details such as metal-framed doors and windows. The trend can be a little scary, as it leans toward a more minimalist style, but if executed correctly, it can be elegant and easy to live with, whether in a modern or classic interior. So how can you make it work in your home? Here are some examples of the style at its best, with a few tips on how to create the look.
Make a feature of your backsplash. The graphic tiles in this kitchen make for a subtle feature wall that fits perfectly with the trend. The choice of grout color is important here. The off-black helps to define the tile pattern and provide that all-important contrast. The utilitarian pendant lights tie in with the industrial trend too, and create another layer of interest in the space.
Upgrade your doors. Metal-framed windows and doors have been growing in popularity. Opt for full-height versions to create real impact. Here they’ve been paired with smoky chevron floors for an extra graphic element and a striking off-black feature wall that completes the look.
Refresh your staircase. Stairs may be the most overlooked element in a home redesign, primarily because they’re usually staying where they are and the originals are simply retained. In many homes, the style of the stairs hasn’t changed in decades. Why not give your staircase a new lease on life with a simple metal balustrade? Paint the treads in black, or stain them dark, and choose delicate black spindles that will create a slim silhouette.
Try it in a bathroom. The urban industrial trend that’s been around for a while has evolved into a more sophisticated and elegant look. The slender metal finish on this washstand typifies the new trend, while the door is a Japanese-style screen that combines the characteristic black lines with an opaque surface that softens the look. The addition of a circular mirror — in the same metal frame — also offsets the rectilinear nature of the decor.
8 Design Ideas to Borrow From Japanese Homes
8 Design Ideas to Borrow From Japanese Homes
Make a feature of your shower by swapping out a traditional enclosure for a metal-framed version. It may have to be custom made (though you might find something suitable in an architectural salvage yard), but it could be worth the investment if you’re looking to give your bathroom a timeless transformation.
10 Reasons to Go for Black-Framed Shower Doors
10 Reasons to Go for Black-Framed Shower Doors
Introduce design classics. Some classic designer pieces work wonderfully with the trend, such as this Wishbone chair by Hans Wegner. The mix of graphic pillows and black-and-white art is another easy approach.
Reframe photos and artwork. Gallery walls are a lovely feature in any room, and this one, with its grid-style structure and matching black frames against plain white walls, gives a nod to the trend while retaining a relaxed feel that’s tranquil enough for a bedroom.
Introduce black hardware. Give traditional hardware a new look by opting for a matte black finish. Bathroom fixtures, such as these faucets, door hardware and cabinet handles are all easy to replace and, against a backdrop of white, will give you a sharply defined style in one simple step.
Introduce it slowly. You don’t have to go all out with this trend. Test it in a small corner of your home. Here, the wall color is neutral and the trim and floorboards are painted white to create a clean background for the delicate tray table and black pendant light. The black in the artwork pulls it all together to create a perfectly styled vignette in what might otherwise be an unused space.
Tell us: What do you think of the trend for clean black silhouettes? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
Wake Up Your Woodwork With Black
Steel-Framed Windows Leap Forward Into Modern Designs
Tell us: What do you think of the trend for clean black silhouettes? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
More
Wake Up Your Woodwork With Black
Steel-Framed Windows Leap Forward Into Modern Designs
Related Stories
Organizing
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Home Office
Follow these steps to get rid of the paper piles and make room for beauty and better organization
Full Story
Remodeling Guides
15 Ways to Create Separation in an Open Floor Plan
By tidgboutique
Use these pro tips to minimize noise, delineate space and establish personal boundaries in an open layout
Full Story
White
Design Pros Share 10 Favorite Creamy White Paints
By Becky Harris
These off-white color choices include versatile tones, warming hues and pleasingly soft shades
Full Story
Entryways
4 Designer Tips for a Fashionable Entry
By tidgboutique
A pro shows how adding color, statement pieces and more to a foyer can set the right tone for the rest of the home
Full Story
Most Popular
7 Major Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
By tidgboutique
Gain confidence to start your interior design project with this advice from a professional designer
Full Story
Living Rooms
4 Must-Have Features for a Small Living Room
By tidgboutique
A designer shares important ways to live large in a tight space and make it look stylish
Full Story
Most Popular
7 Common Decorating Mistakes to Avoid
Pros share solutions to design problems they often find in people’s living spaces
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Decorate a Living Room
By tidgboutique
A designer offers tips for creating a comfortable space that reflects your style
Full Story
Budget Decorating
Where to Splurge and Where to Save When Decorating
By tidgboutique
See where it makes sense to invest in durable essentials and focal pieces, and where to economize on other things
Full Story
Lighting
Pro Tips for Lighting 10 Rooms and Outdoor Areas
Get professional advice for lighting your kitchen, bathroom, living room, office, patio and more
Full Story
Good topic and nice article. Thanks for the feature.
I love the 'introduce it slowly' notion. What a wonderful way to make dead space interesting.
Thanks for the feature, I can't read, but can pick up on " industrial trend" the visuals paint a wonderful picture. I designed this screen in a loft extension last year with " his and hers" basins either side of the screen, with matching Juliette balcony doors to the rear, but sadly it was not built like this