I think it can be gorgeous in the right space. But if the wood was in good condition to begin with I don't think I could bring myself to do it.

Black can be painted over just as easily as any other color. I think it can look fabulous. And that room pic . . . is to die for. Gorgeous!

If my house weren't already in danger of being too dark, I would totally paint one (or all 4) of my fireplaces black. I especially like the matte finish.

It's only paint, right?!

This is how my dreams look... For years I have been oohing and aaahing over my idea to paint any and all of my architectural pieces black and you know what? It looks really good and might be the best idea I have had yet! Keep posts like this coming because this is the kind of inspiration that keeps me coming back.

I painted the fireplace (similar to the one shown here) and some of the closet doors a glossy black in my 1920's apartment a few years back... looked awesome! I cleaned up the brass door knobs and it was really nice. We received a lot of compliments.

I also really like the look of the matte finish shown here... something to think about!

I think it looks good for fireplaces, esp. since they get so dirty, but as far as trim it needs to be done carefully.

that wallpaper is fantastic.

If my apartment had architectural details - I would do it in a heartbeat.

I think I am going stain rather than paint my trim a deep ebony. I think it will look beautiful against the pale blue/green I am painting my living room.

It's lovely but it's not me.

It is stunning, but I don't think I'd have the guts to do it.

This post has me seriously considering this. My house (1927) was clearly designed with some wood details meant to be painted. The more public rooms all have ornate details and the wood has never been painted. However, you pass through a door to the "private" side of the house and the wood used is pine, no detail and already painted. I'd paint the already painted trim black but would never touch the unpainted wood. My biggest concern would be the sheen. Trim should be painted at least a semi-gloss, however it looks to be more of a flat or eggshell in the photo. I don't think it would look as good with a glossier finish.

My mom did this with her mantle last year. I thought it would turn out horribly, but it looks really good. I wish we weren't renting; I'd follow suit in our own place.

We have painted the trim in our kitchen with Benjamin Moore Black (eggshell finish) and it looks amazing, so much cooler than white.

I love dark trim colors...in particular if it is done in super high gloss paint. Fine Paints of Europe makes a product called Brilliant Paint...which has the look of hand applied lacquer at a fraction of the cost. Painting anything with it gives a mirror shine to the surface. Here is a place I did that used the paint with great success.

http://www.strangeclosets.com/?p=3452

I painted the trim in my master bedroom and living room black with all white walls except a hot pink (MBR) and red (LR) accent wall. I loved it... then I grew tired of the white walls, and my new wall paint colors didn't match up with the black well. I ended up going boring white again.

@iheartmini --

Sounds like the trouble you had wasn't with the black trim - it was your choice of wall paint colors.

Pink & Black or Red & Black = Victoria's Secret/Bordello decor.

Indigo & Black or Plum & Black = Hotness.

Coincidentally, last night while browing at Lowe's, I saw some black wood laminte flooring that my husband and I went ga-ga over. It was double the price of the most other laminates at 3.97/ sq. foot, but it was oh-so-lovely.

I love the way it looks in someone else's place. I can't imagine painting my woodwork black. Right now, it all nic-stained harvest gold and I'm dreading the process to reclaim it all and paint it a fresh, bright white.

No. Just, No.

Unless, of course, you're the set decorator for a revival of "The Addams Family" or "The Munsters."

I like the black trim, but I'm not sure I'd do it with black walls. For me, the fun of black is the graphic contrast it makes next to another color.

I once saw a store that was lilac with black trim, and all the edges of the walls and ceiling had a ribbon of black paint to highlight the "box" of the room. It was like being inside a Chanel suit, if that makes any sense. It was really neat and unexpected.