Jessica's "Baby Seal Black" Bedroom
Baby Seal Black
Name:
JessicaLocation:
New York, New YorkDivision:
EastColors Used
The paint is Baby Seal Black (a lovely, dark slate grey with just a hint of navy), custom-mixed with a dose of white to lighten it up enough for our teeny tiny bedroom. Although I'd originally been lusting after a luxurious chalky finish, I couldn't find one for this color and went with a moderate sheen (satin) instead--I like that it bounces a little light around and has proven to be really durable. This room has a beautiful 100-year-old window with classic white trim, and I loved the contrast with the dark paint, so I carried it throughout the room. Other accents are canary yellow/chartreuse, a light robbin's egg blue (seen in the art on the wall, with a darker shade on the vintage telephone), and an almost-lavender pink (in the Bonnaroo art).
Color Inspiration
This is our first one-bedroom apartment--the last one was an even teenier and tinier studio (we're in New York City, Land of Impossibly Cramped Spaces). Moving out (and up!) was a huge moment, and we really wanted to celebrate the distinct separation of our new rooms. Going neutral with the living room made me feel like I could be a little bolder with the bedroom, and I've always thought dark paint was sexy and glam—this black-grey-blue was sophisticated and a little bit daring, while still soothing. I didn't want the space to feel too serious, though, so I brought in some bright, summery, slightly retro colors to make the overall effect just a little bit funky.
Color Tips
Don't think about the colors you like in your every day life--wall color and "your favorite color" are two very different things with two very different functions. (I had to learn the hard way that "that light blue color I love!" doesn't look quite as good on a huge scale as it does on a small one.) Think instead about the *rooms* you've felt best in. At restaurants, parties, museums, friend's houses. You'll have a much better sense of what you're getting into--and you'll know you feel great once you get there :)
161
favorites
Favoriting and voting have ended.
Comments (17)
please tell where you got the fabric on that little chair!
view doublealmond's profile
Very nice. I have dark grey in my bedroom as well and I LOVE IT! It looks great with everything.
view ashk's profile
what paint color is this- this is the exact color I have been looking for?
view SundayAtTheDisco25's profile
Wow, this room is gorgeous! Would love to get decorating tips from you ;)
view alisonmg's profile
I love it! Who would have thought that such a dark color in a small room would look so good. It actually makes the room appear larger. Very warm and cozy. Kudos for choosing it! Great taste!
view Vickie Ata's profile
Love IT!!!
view Greg139's profile
Gorgeous. Love the phone.
view GeorgeRobert's profile
I would have been too scared to paint a room this color. But in your case, it payed off !!
view noticetothepublic's profile
very chic!
view steven taylor's profile
I like the black walls and the poster and the great phone. You could do something betterwith the headboard.
view House Voyeur's profile
Dead sexy. And great advice about thinking about rooms you've felt best in!
view potpie's profile
That's a great-looking chair.
view MEBJohnson's profile
sweet
view Sylvia K's profile
Oh wow. I wish I had seen these pics before painting my new place. I would have used that wall colour!
view JasmineIsDomestic's profile
This is so lovely and serene. well done.
view kassgood's profile
Way to take a risk! Nicely done.
view jednakasia's profile
I love this room. Very nicely done. Simple, clean and not overdone. Excellent job!
view GeorgiaMete's profile