The onslaught of fall and an impending early sunset has got us thinking of dark and dramatic interiors. Dark colors can work in just about any room, it all depends on personal preference. Right now, we're especially attracted to the look in dining rooms.
Gray and black are two currently in vogue dark paint colors that can transform your dining room into a ultra dramatic space — we understand dark isn't for everyone, but for those extra daring souls — this is for you!
I'd love to have our dining room dark gray with the bright white pop of color from the dining table. I'm so inspired, that I'm even thinking of painting this week! Here's some of the dining rooms that inspired me:
• Dramatic Dark Decor
• Color Gallery: Gorgeous Dark Gray Walls
• Look! Library Dining Rooms
• Dark Walls, Light Space
What do you think of dark and dramatic dining rooms?
Must-See Small Cool Homes: Week Two
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Commercial Flour Sa...
What Drink Do You Order at a Bad Bar? 25 Food Writers Share Their Safety Drinks
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
I'm so influenced by my subtropical, suburban background that this look would make me want just to get outside. Even so, I can appreciate that such use of darkness may give the feeling of elegance, expense, formality, and sophistication.
anyone know who makes the chandelier featured in the first picture? I want!
I painted my dining room dark teal and love it! It does wonders for the art I have hanging up in that room.
Black is also a fantastic color for a bedroom. I painted mine "blindfold" and it's incredibly cozy now.
Love a library dining room combo. I might interject a little bit more color than in the example above (probably through chairs, rug and/or fabric) but I am really digging the idea.
Beautiful rooms, but definitely not for me. Seems like they'd just make winter even more depressing!
The dark colors do wonders to show off the artwork and lighting, though. I'll admit that :)
I just picked up a dark grey (SW Peppercorn) to paint my relaxation room. I wanted a low or no VOC paint so I had a good conversation with the people at SW. Yes, the low or no VOC causes you to have less particles in the paint. So you'll need more paint to get the same coverege. They recommended that I use a tinted primer then two coats.
In order to stick with the low VOC, I'm just planning on doing 3 coats of the paint. They thought that would work as well.
Ah, I love dark dining spaces. I think they're absolutely gorgeous. I was recently in a restaurant with beautiful gray walls, dark wood, and dim lights. It was stunning. Every time I see that, I want to paint. But I can't bring myself to do it, probably because while I know it will be lovely at night, I'm not so sure how'd I'd feel during the day. Sometimes there's such thing as *too* cozy. I believe the word for that would be "oppressive." But still, these rooms are just so beautiful........
I LUV THE DRAMATIC LOOK/FEEL OF DARK WALLS! I'VE USED THOUGHOUT MY ENTIRE PLACE DIFFERENT SHADES OF GREY THRU BLK...FROM DIOR GRAY IN BATHROOM AND HEARTH GRAY IN BEDROOM TO BLK BEAN DOWN ENTRY AND LIVING/DINING ROOMS. SEXY SEXY SEXY!
Thorndale -- Yes, I painted a couple of walls black with Aura by Benjamin Moore. I don't think I will paint with anything else, amazing coverage, low vocs...
http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/portals/bmps.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=fh_aura_hiddenPage&NodeUUID=%2FBEA+Repository%2F518032
Does anybody have the name of the color in the first photo? Love it!