There is an old decorator’s rule of thumb that alleges that every room needs a bit of black. Nonsense! Only if you want it. I do tend to include it in kitchens, great rooms, living rooms, dining and foyers, but not in bedrooms or baths. Black is the elegant neutral without necessarily being formal. But oh does it show the dust!
It is the one shade that picks up all emotions going on around it, which is why it is used by custom and tradition at funerals and memorial services. It is a “look don’t touch” color, which is why the gal in the red dress and the man in the blue cummerbund always have more fun at the black tie gala than all the folks hanging about in black!
Black is a nonnegotiable color and is rarely used in corporate environments. And I have found that people generally communicate less in the presence of a lot of black than other colors. I rarely wear full black with clients but instead opt for carefully selected color designed to elicit communication and feedback. Communication demands color!
Black also will command a higher price than any other color. Think about a black stretch limo or black tie dress, both associated with luxury. Years ago Breyer’s ice cream changed their packaging to black and raised their prices and their sales shot up! Elegance pays.
