I love decorating with black because it's the color of my soul. And I ADORE that gorgeous lamp in the top right picture. It is DIVINE!

Love black! Cannot get enough of pictures like this.

I Love Black. People ask me why I love it so much ("It's dark and gloomy. Are you depressed?") To them I say No! It's the colour of sharp and flat keys on the piano, it's the colour of a dense night sky and it fills the spaces between stars and nebulae, it's the sleek feathers of a crow. White is the absence of colour, but black is every colour at once!

(By the way, I know the last part of my statement may not be correct, but I will stick by those black holes that suck everything in...even colour)

Yes! I noticed this too when we were in Amsterdam, and I would love to paint the brick front on our building black, keeping the top part of the building white. I love all those canal houses that are black with red shutters. Another thing I loved about the Netherlands was that absolutely everything - down to the door handles on public utility closets - are so impeccably designed, everything has this high style feel about it that makes you want to look around and pay attention.

I say go for it!

I'm moving to Amsterdam.

@MRSBERG I love that. I adore black too. I have more black clothes than any other color. I don't have a car at the moment, but when I have, it has been black. I'm trying to be brave enough to paint the walls of my teeny teeny teeny bathroom black like Daniel did in Small Cool.

I had a black wall and black doors a decade ago and loved it = instant elegance ... but moved & when I mentioned black, everyone pooh pooh'd the idea (the old "too dark" argument.)
I was REsold on black the minute I finished a blackboard wall. I keep the wall chalk free and just use my hidden blackboards for notes, lists. My friend decided to paint some furniture black, but the color turned out to have a purpley tone = so many shades of black to choose from now.

Paired with brilliant colors, black can be just as effective as white.

My master bathroom is black and it is awesome. All our doors are black as well and the moldings.

Go for it!

Great photos! I love how the mix of matte plus glossy black gives so much depth to the rooms.

Beautiful, sophisticated, for everyone -- not too feminine or masculine. I love love love my black living room furniture with yellow accents!

Strange! I was just reminiscing about all the black painted brick in Amsterdam on my walk home today. Very high style.

Inspired by a space ship in "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe", a couple of years ago I painted my home office black. Add in black furniture, computer, etc it was quite a site. But I very much regret using matte black. It shows every single little scuff mark. I didn't use glossy because I wanted to walls to disappear in the dark (the office has no external windows). The effect works well and it does feel at times like the room is infinite. The only thing to creates bounds for the eyes is the furniture. But wow, do those scuff marks look awful and they're so easy to create.

I'm planning on expanding the kitchen into the current office space. Here comes the hard part... painting over black! Any guesses on the number of coats of primer it is going to take? Four? At least I don't have to bother with the wall that's coming out.

Love the black! I think black and white decorating is so classic and chic. It will never go out of style in my book!

The first light fixture on the top right reminds me of a spider.

I just received my long awaited Saarinen dining table with a black base (rosewood top.) Several people tried to talk me into getting the more common white base, but I'm so glad I went with black. I just love it. I will be getting new dining chairs eventually and am leaning toward more black for those.

Hey, do anyone knows where do that BLACK spider chandelier comes from?

One thing I noticed in Amsterdam (and the rest of Holland) is that lots of the windows were outlined in black AND white, so the windows (with their pretty lace and windowboxes, natch!) really popped against the brick - look http://annabelvita.com/2011/11/03/looking-pretty-trim/

I live in Amsterdam and can tell you with 100% certainty that while hotels, galleries, bars and restaurants make use (effectively) of black, the same is not true for personal residences where white walls is definitely the pervasive norm.

love black elements utilized in a space. a staple!

I think the black works in the settings you have shared because of the loftiness and interest in the structure and interest of architectural detail...even your hotel room though contemporary has the high ceiling and a lovely play of texture ...ie the glass tiles on the wall and the wooden beam.

The chandelier in the upper right hand corner is the Dear Ingo Chandelier.

amsterdam's (outdoor) black contrasts mostly marvelously with the jewel tones of tulips. and now, 'tis the season. Oh, I wish I could visit that great city again. It's been 15 years. much too long.

I'm also moving to Amsterdam. But then again, I've been saying that for years. Sigh.

The spider chandelier would give me nightmares of Shelob (Tolkien) and Aragog (Rowling)!

Great post. I love black in and outside the home. Such a classic shade, and if done properly can look so elegant. Totally in love with that black apartment block with the red shutters on the windows... beautiful!

You should have told me, so we could meet! Did you enjoy your stay in Amsterdam.
I love the Conservatorium hotel. Such a style and beauty. Keep up the good work!
Cheers Ryan www.whitehousedecoration.som