Back away from the black??

Made this attempt at a mood board way back in September 09 and still love it.

After a lot of deliberation and much consideration of all the "back away from the black" comments I received from friends & family (and a couple of professionals) I've decided to heed the wise words of Billy Baldwin and am going to follow own my gut (instinct)and explore my dark side.

Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style. – Billy Baldwin

Creamy beige flooring be it marble, limestone, travertine or porcelain would be the choice of many in this neck of the woods.  Black & grey slate, basalt and limestone tiles are not in high demand for sure...but I LOVE them.  Maybe it is the Slummy Mummy in me convinced that a dark and footmark forgiving floor wont require the mop out quite as often as the cream marble? (I'm totally convinced this is true)

I like sexy rooms, and I don’t think all-beige is very sexy. -Billy Baldwin

I am a grown up, so do know that if I went with the light, bright and shiny polished marble (or similar) it would make for a brighter hallway and kitchen for the Conlon House, but thinking about it, just how much light does one really need?!  I have large windows(and loads of them), high ceilings coupled with huge amounts of soon to be white painted walls, surely that counts, no?  Do I really need Crema Marfil for that??

In the Conlon House you will see....Hall, kitchen & family room flooring like this.  Dark(undoubtedly)but will be contrasted with large amounts of white walls remember...

Image courtesy of 

Stone Tile Sales

A kitchen like this, charcoal black painted base cabinetry and a light reflecting worktop, huge swathes of white wall uninterrupted by wall cabinets (or industrial extraction!).  

Sneak peak at the kitchen layout

The dark flooring in the main high traffic areas will be contrasted with brushed oak flooring in all the bedrooms, lounge & games/play rooms.  In these rooms will be going for a neutrals with pops of brights (most likely featuring copious amounts of our trade mark cerise ...we are a family of four girlie girls after all!)

I'm happy enough with the decisions so far, and am working really hard at the moment to get the best (lowest)and final quotes in for the finishes I'm after. What I love is one thing, what the budget dictates is another!!

A person with a real flair is a gambler at heart. -Billy Baldwin

Here's hoping the chips on black gamble pays off,

Mrs C x

Read a great Billy Baldwin inspired blog post here on designsponge