Black
Did you know black, white and grey are not considered to be colours in themselves as they are not represented on the colour wheel
But they obviously have an important role to play in your colour scheme and they also have strong psychological association for most of us.
Some people see black as dark and mysterious. In the eastern philosophy of Feng Shui, black is powerful and represents money. Black has almost become a uniform in the world of design and in Western fashion, black is seen as the height of sophistication and glamour (and in walks Audrey Hepburn).
When I think of black in designing, I think Audrey Hepburn in that black dress, cool, sophisticated, elegant, mixed with a bit of drama. This is black to me, you either love it or hate it but you have to give credit, its a daring person who mixes with black.
Black Walls
This bedroom oozes sophistication with the black wall, its a great room to introduce black into, as this room gets a lot of natural daylight, its black but bright.
Black and gold are very rich together, the picture frame and the mirror adds more drama to the black painted wall, and it thoroughly compliments the beautiful antique chest of drawers.
Lyra table lamp, Meadows & Byrne €150
Table lamp, Ikea £24.47.
Black table lamp from Debehams by Betty Jackson,£55
This room is very well balanced, the contrast between the black walls and the white carpet , fireplace and pictures work really well together. The black and white curtains continues this effect.
Simple black walls and white curtains for a dramatic effect, love it.
The contrast of walking from a white bright hallway into a room with a black statement wall, makes a big impact upon entering.
Another option to add black to your walls, try wallpaper.
Wallpaper from Laura Ashley, £12.99
Oriental garden wallpaper from Laura Ashley, £12.73.
Paisley motif wallpaper from Osbourne & Little.
For dog lovers, wallpaper from Osbourne & Little.
Wallpaper from Romo fabrics & wall coverings.
Wallpaper from Romo fabrics & wall coverings.
Fabulous wallpaper and fabric both from Harlequin.
Mixing colours with black ( Keep an open mind with colour)
Black & Yellow
Inspiration comes from the smallest things.
The yellow colour adds a more friendly feeling to black, as yellow is seen as an optimistic colour and has a unique ability to raise the spirits and inject vitality into any room.
Debehanms, Betty Jacksons, yellow woven cushion,£14.40.
Inspired animal wall art, Argos, €59.79
In this room adding black furniture to yellow walls adds a more warmly feeling, the black furniture stands out against the yellow background, complimenting it.
The black fabric on this beautifully designed chair compliments it, chair from Furnishing Distributors.
I do love yellow and black stripes, they can make such a statement.
You don’t have to go crazy with either colour, just enough to make an impact.
Black & Pink
I think this bird was waiting for the camera, so he would look good running across the pink flowers.
Betsy Jackson’s trademark pink colour is always accompanied by black in her interiors.
There’s something about black and pink together, the Black makes the pink really stand out and the pink really makes the black stand out. To me pink is a true feminine colour and black dark and mysterious, they seem to bounce off each other.
Black candle holder, Debenhams, 24.99
The pink cushions spring out of this picture because of the black wall background.
Do you see what I mean about pink and black, this particularly shade of pink is gorgeous with black .
Picture frames, Debeham, John Rocha, £22.40
Frames from Zara Home,£16.90
Black & Green
Blackberries, Always reminds me of my childhood, picking lots and lots of them and eating them straight away ( I could not wait until I got home to wash them)
A simple black vase with greenery, makes its own statement.
Black vase, Debehams, £12.99
Greenery, from your garden, free.
Black and green is very refreshing together, green is very healing and soothing against the black.
Green is a good colour for balance, it makes the right decisions but it also compliments this by being supportive and tactful when necessary with black.
Black & Orange
I owned a variety of cats growing up but my favourite will always be “moggy”, my black, white and ginger cat.
Orange with black, orange is not a popular colour but it is warm-hearted and generous it is a positive colour, when used with black it cheers up any room.
Even just small touches with black in this room, brings these two colours together.
Orange is a sociable and optimistic colour and likes to work as part of a team, its team member here is black.
Black and white chair from Furnishing Distributors.
For the more adventurous individual.
Laura Ashley, black hand painted Chest of drawers, £308.39.
A striking collection of irresistible fabrics, which combine contemporary and classic damasks all from Harlequin.
Black & Blue
The beauty of blue and black.
Blue is tranquil and serene in its nature, it is the colour of contemplation and inner reflection, it is not a demanding colour and works well with black. The beautiful black floor and rich blue walls has a personality of its own.
A lighter tone of blue somehow softens the hard black.
The soft nature of blue even calms the black against it.
This beautiful fabric is from Sanderson see it on the chair below, you can purchase this fabric from most good fabric stores, check out their site to see local stockists.
“Black is real sensation, even if it is produced by entire absence of light. The sensation of black is distinctly different from the lack of all sensation”. – Hermann von Helmholz
Sun Lounger at 
Wicker chairs at
large pebble hurricane lantern £25.00 from 
Pacific two seater, armchair and table set all from M &S for £1319.00.
Cushions from M&S.
