Name: Tea Kettle Black
Brand: Ralph Lauren VM156
I’m still not through with my “black is beautiful” phase (nearly half my columns from last fall) and I promise a color explosion next week. But for now, dig these black stripes…
ColorTherapy: Black Stripes
The base coat is Ralph Lauren Tea Kettle Black — my new favorite color ever — in matte. It runs a bit blue, which makes it especially invigorating for decorative painting, alone or in groups. The stripe is a transparent glaze in a satin finish. My pal Brian shows us how the drawing’s done (he’s an artist — he’s sketchy) and my new trade secret is to use colored pencils and let that be part of the pattern. First-timers may choose to tape, but I’d rather die than go through all that trouble.
What’s the difference between this and wallpaper? It’s completely bespoke (color, scale) and easy to get rid of once you’re ready for something new. My lovely client says she’s too hopelessly square to ever live up to her chic stripes, but I must remonstrate: my dear, it’s the other way around — you’re a real class act.
- Mark Chamberlain, interior and decorative painter
Comments (9)
Daily Email
Top Tours
- Pratt Designers Furnish a Home — Part 1
- Cheryl's Simple, Eclectic & Functional
- Sparrow & Kurt's Light Filled Home
- Beth's Family Townhouse
- Isabella's Chic & Elegant in Inwood
Top Posts
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Gosh that's sexy - it makes the Beige floor and upholstery stand out like intentional choices rather than default/drab.
view bepsf's profile
Absolutely LOVE IT! Did you do the whole room like this though? That seems like it might be a little over-powering (but I have seen some very well done, all black rooms so perhaps not).
view Seshat's profile
that is hot
view duckumu's profile
that really looks great and the furniture and accessories are working it.
view LoriSF's profile
Love it! And I love the chair! Where's it from?
view pinknest's profile
I personally love all the black posts. Keep 'em coming. Black is the new black.
view Lisa Hunter (Montreal)'s profile
I love this so much.
view dewi's profile
I'd love to see a detail photo with the pencil stripes showing.
view brittanykate's profile
Well, gosh. That's my apartment.
Thanks to Mark, who is a gentlemen and an artist, I'm looking at and enjoying these stripes right now.
He's quite right that the color runs a bit blue. We've found that on a day of strong sunlight the wall looks almost navy. The other walls in the room are Shaded White from Farrow and Ball.
The chair was eBay, the lamp and steel table were craigslist. Pink roses were Mark's idea. :)
view moira's profile