apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I have seen black homes in New England, Mass in particular, they seem to have a historical significance there (Salem, MASS).

They look fabulous against the snow, what a great sight.

Oh! I love the downright creepy one! With the peacock!

I live in a black house--it's oiled cedar--with dark green trim. It is beautiful all year round, but especially in the winter when everything is covered with snow. It fits the surroundings well and is easy for people to find, as it's the only one in the neighborhood!

Here is a couple more

http://plastolux.com/modern-mountain-chalet-em2n.html
http://plastolux.com/modern-office-building-lan-paris.html
http://plastolux.com/modern-remodel-enetai-house-coop15.html
http://plastolux.com/split-level-goes-modern-modern-home-by-peter-cardew.html
http://plastolux.com/modern-homes-the-xeros-residence-blank-studio.html

They are definitely stunning. I have a silly question though - wouldn't they be hot in the summer?

My grandparents have had a black house (in Massachusetts) for over 30 years. I think it is the only one I have ever seen in person. It's unique and I love it.

I used to work in an old converted farmhouse in Indiana, it was painted black and was really a wonderful place to work in. There were trees all around that created a wonderful bright green contrast with the black in the summer, and then the snow on the branches contrasting with the black in the winter. It was a lovely space as an architects office.

The second one isn't quite black though, isn't it? More of a dark grey. I think the house in the first photo is stunningly beautiful.

There is a town in Florida which was founded in the early twentieth century by spiritualists and today is inhabited by mediums. Many of the houses there are painted black and decorated with shards of mirrored glass.

I visited there with my family about 10 years ago and purchased a crystal ball. I also understand that the American Folklore Society had one of their annual meetings there. I am sorry that I can't think of the name of the town at present.

Florida is a very interesting state, all in all, especially for folklorists.

i do like the second image. it looks so serene and it isn't that dark. the first one looks nice but i can't imagine how difficult that would be to maintain.

I have a typical Mediterranean split level across the street from me in Vallejo where the front is painted black, and the sides and back are painted white. Pretty good looking too!

On an economic note, dark paint fades and peels more quickly than light paint. However, for those living in the heating zones - SF, New England - black would be great. Sassyladie -- very few houses in San Francisco have air conditioning. Mark Twain's "the coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco" is true.

Sassyladie,

People have asked me that question about my black house. But I don't think it's like a black car being hotter than a white one. My house is very cool all summer and last year I only turned on the AC a handful of times (even when everyone else was running theirs). My lot is very shady in the summer. Most of the floors in the house are tile, and it has good cross ventilation. And the sun beats down on the roof, not the sides of the house, anyway.

Me likey. I recently painted my tiny foyer Farrow & Ball Pitch black. It makes the main room of my apartment, which is all white, seem HUGE when you step out of the black foyer.

I love the first house - the black is dark enough that it looks fresh (not faded) and the satin finish gives the whole thing some depth and dimension.

On the downside, I would imagine you would have to repaint frequently to keep that great look going.

I really love the color on some of the houses, but dislike it on the others. I guess the bad part is that you wouldn't know exactly how it would turn out until you were done....and by then....your neighbors could be disgruntled.

Next week after all the prep work is done, the painting begins. My home will be the sexy mid-century one on the block wearing the perfect little black cocktail dress!

These photos are great, but the only black house I've ever seen in reality is one down the street from us. It does NOT look anywhere near fabulous. More like creepy- but that could also be due to the million cars in the yard and the aluminum foil over the windows!

GreatFriend, I think you just gave me a great idea for my foyer. It's tiny and has no windows, so there's no point in trying to make it look airy or spacious. I think I'd like it to be a very glossy black, with a glossy white chandelier.

I love black for interiors, but I'm not crazy about that first black house...all that architectural detail is lost! Maybe because I grew up in a sea of Levitt and Cape houses with zero that I don't understand why someone wouldn't want to show all that off....

Gorgeous! I wouldn't paint my house black though, unless I had alot more foliage around the house though. It is already too hot inside during the summer!