Steal This Look: The Bath in Black

When I refinished my bathtub a few weeks ago, that wasn’t the only thing I had in mind for my tiny bathroom. I’ve had the itch for a while now to paint the room black, and I finally took the plunge this week. Even I–a serial dark-color painter–was nervous about what was in store. I’d never actually used a real black. And the results? What was by far the dullest room in my apartment just got a lot more interesting.

Photos by Liesa Johannssen.

Above: I did some overall sprucing up, and sourced some upgrades for the room from our sponsor, The Home Depot. But the biggest change is the warm black wall color. I also refreshed the white cabinets and trim with a shade of white that works well against the black. I used Behr Premium Plus Flat Enamel Zero VOC Interior Paint in Broadway (black) and Polar Bear (white); $24.96 per gallon at The Home Depot. The towel bar came with my apartment, but a similar one is the Delta Greenwich 24-in Towel Bar in Polished Chrome; $23.98 at The Home Depot. Original photography shot with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR. The filmmaker’s camera.

Above: This is a pendant light that I already owned, but it’s similar to the Illumine ANP Black Hanging Pendant; $184.80 at The Home Depot. Another similar light is the Progress Lighting 1-Light Pendant, which comes in white, green, or silver, starting at $58.14.

I wanted some warm, natural tones to contrast with the black, so I used unfinished wood hardware. Above L: Liberty Hardware Birch 1-1/2-inch Round Cabinet Knobs are $1.48 each at The Home Depot. Above R: I replaced my truly unsightly register cover with the Decor Grates 4 x 10-in Wood Unfinished Oak Register; $16.71 at The Home Depot.

Above: I replaced a faux-Victorian sconce with the simplest, and best-looking (not to mention, least expensive) wall light I know: The Leviton Porcelain Keyless Lamp Holder; $1.49 at The Home Depot.

Above: I love the nautical look of metal cleats, and wanted polished ones to complement the existing bathroom hardware. Lehigh 4-1/2-in Nickel-Plated Rope Cleats are $1.98 each at The Home Depot.

Above: For a similar faucet set, consider the Delta Leland 4-in Widespread 2-Handle High-Arc Bathroom Faucet in Chrome; $146 at The Home Depot.

Above: Indoor/outdoor rugs are durable and easy to clean–perfect for the bathroom.The Home Decorators Collection Saddlestitch Gray and White Area Rug in 1′-8″ x 3′-7″ is $19 at The Home Depot.

–Meredith Swinehart