Black (or very dark grey) walls are "in" no doubt.  I'm a huge fan.  I had very bright colors in my previous home and toned everything down dramatically this time around.  We have a dark grey library, a chocolate brown bedroom and a dark blue living room.  I feel like these colors are very elegant, cozy and calming.  But I am totally intrigued by black rooms now.  It wasn't until Jessie's fabulous One Room Challenge reveal (which you need to see stat if you haven't yet) that this subconscious attraction became conscious.  Black walls are not only trending, they are sophisticated and lend themselves to both contemporary and classic design. What do you think?

Thank you all for your sweet birthday wishes!!  I'm such a lucky girl to have such a wonderful husband, amazing daughter, such caring and special parents, such sweet and true friends, and such thoughtful readers.  I am blessed.  A year older and hopefully a little wiser :)

Something that has been making me happy for a while have been lacquered walls.  I know they have been in vogue for a while and many bloggers have blogged about them on and off throughout the last couple of years, but that doesn't mean I can't blog about them as well.  I know, been there done that....but I just really LOVE them and would consider them for my future home in a New York minute-  Oh the elegance, the glamour, the interest!  I feel like the big designers, like Miles Redd, and S.R.Gambrel, have been using lacquered walls plenty, but the mainstream, it seems to me, has not really adopted them as much as I would have thought, which is interesting but kind of nice (so if I ever do mine, my home won't be like everyone else's).  The preparation of the wall is very important and takes more work than just regular paint, so this may have something to do with it not being so widespread.  Personally, I think they are worth it for all the drama and interest that they add.  (If you want some tips I found this blog had some good ones)

This space feels so relaxing to me.  I want to take my shoes off and chill on that vintage chesterfield sofa.  The wall color is perfect.  Dark walls can make a room feel cozy and soothing while adding interest (see Julie's post on dark walls here).  Julie and I are advocates of the dark wall movement. The grey also makes everything that is hanging pop.  And even though the room has some trendy items like the ampersand (which is everywhere now and probably has the same 'brand' recognition as the '@' nowadays) and the deer with antlers,  it doesn't feel trendy to me. It actually feels timeless and classic. And the white sconce is genius. 

This room is Alketas Pazis', a Greek collector and prop house owner.  His store the Temporary Showroom, has an amazing collection of mid-century antiques.  They rent furniture for the filming industry.  To see more photos of his home visit here.