BLACK FIXTURES

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Black is an iconic, timeless, classic color. The little Black dress. Black is the new Black. Black tie. It appears endlessly in fashion and is somehow always being reinvented. However, when designing space, black is something to be used sparingly. It is used as an accent or focal point instead of an entirety. This is because, among other things, overwhelming use of black in space makes space seem small, uninviting, and dark. Black has been something to be avoided in many eras and fields of interior design.

We are now seeing black resurfacing in interior design. One of the ways black is appearing in design now is in fixtures and hardware. It can stand out in a bright space and ground another. With hardware and fixtures tending to come in just a handful of finishes and colors, this emergence of black is welcomed. Also in commercial spaces it is important for a designer to take product maintenance into account. Bathroom fixtures, accessories, and hardware are items that thousands of users may touch throughout the designs lifetime. A black finish is a great low maintenance option where less cleaning and upkeep will be required and the fixture will appear new and fresh for a long time.

GRAYSCALE GEOMETRIC TILE

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As designers with an eye for detail, we tend to look to the ground for inspiration. Floor details give an insight to the design and precision of the space. A recent trend in floor detailing is geometric tiles, usually in ceramic or concrete form. Grayscale tile is perfect for a clean backdrop to allow other pops of color or material in the space, whether it be a cafe, private bathroom, spa or entryway. The geometric shapes, however, add another layer of detail to the otherwise flat surface. 

In a cafe in Paris, geometry is an overwhelming theme, with a triangular wood bar top and hexagonal floor tiles. The hexagons are glossy black, offsetting the warm wood. Grayscale geometric tile is in. Shapes and patterns we have seen include hexagons, parallelograms, abstracted florals, herringbone, tweed, and more. These patterned shapes carry the eye through the space, without overwhelming in color. See below for specifics.

RECREATE: in any room, big or small, geometric tile can be that subtle impact, without overpowering the senses.