Orange and Black Rooms That Are Anything But Scary

By Marni Elyse Katz
October 28, 2011

In the three decades following the much maligned, but oft-imitated ‘70s, the color orange suffered from a bad rap. (As if the mauve of the ‘80s was somehow superior.) The sharp citrus shade has been enjoying a revival in the last ten years, however, especially in interiors with a modern sensibility. Crisp orange accessories in otherwise stark white rooms (or the other way around—orange-walled rooms with clean-lined white sofas and curvy modernist chairs) have been a much-loved look. (One wonders if avocado is due for a revival...)

Carrier and Company

A lacquered orange bookshelf draws the eye to the room's treasures. (designed by Carrier and Company

Carrier and Company

A grey daybed is nestled into a nook with a deep orange textured wall. Orange throw pillows and abstract art provide extra interest and color. (designed by Carrier and Company for the Town & Country Designer Visions Show House; photo by Francesco Lagnese)

As for black, interior designers have been experimenting with inky tones. It’s a tricky look to pull off, but design aficionados are taking the risk. New York interior designer Fawn Galli, Boston-based Liz Caan, and Chicago-based Julia Edelman of Buckingham Interiors + Design have each created successful rooms that are painted black all the way around. Boston area designer Christine Tuttle, alternatively, uses the color in small doses, but feels it’s a must. She says, “I try to use a little black in every room for a graphic punch, whether it is a contemporary or traditional setting.”

Buckingham ID

Left: Although bathed in black, the glossy and textured finishes of the chairs, light fixture and ottoman keep the eye moving around this lively space. (designed by Julia Buckingham Edelmann of Buckingham ID; photo by Eric Hausman)
Right: The glossy Hermes-inspired lacquer desk provides a smooth contrast with the painted brick wall and scratchy artwork. ( designed by Julia Buckingham Edelmann of Buckingham ID; photo by Tate Gunnerson)

Jamie Bush

L.A. designer Jamie Bush proves orange works well with an otherwise natural palette, especially in these entryways.

Combine orange and black, though, and immediately images of Halloween cloud everyone’s thoughts—especially this time of year. Surprisingly, however, interior designers everywhere are exploring incredibly chic ways to combine the colors with stunning results. Among them: Los Angeles designer Alexandra Angle, who has composed both modern and transitional spaces with the colors; San Francisco designer Elizabeth Martin, who chose orange drapes and black upholstered chairs to co-exist in a traditional dining room; and London-based designer Abigail Ahern who loves (and blogs about) the combo in both minimal and very decorated spaces.

Alexandra Angle

Left: In a more citrus hue, orange is distinctly modern.

Right: Adjusted with some red, to a deeper, spicier tone, it's perfectly at home among more transitional furnishings.(both designed by Alexandra Angle)

This contemporary side table designed by Rafael de Cárdenas is made from painted MDF and black gaffers tape and neon pink/metallic gold tape. (photo: Connie Zhou)

We got in touch with over a dozen interior designers with a predilection for the pair, whether they make a solo appearance or combined for a full-blown orchestration. They shared their designs, and in some cases, their secrets—with nary a jack-o-lantern or goblin in sight.

Below, some designer tips for successfully incorporating orange and black into your home. (And if you'd like to carry the combo into your wardrobe, too, well 'tis the season. Click here to see our story on the orange and black fashion trend, and learn how to get the look in time for October 31st.)

A traditional room in a Boston area historic house, in which black is used to ground a buff-colored room and orange provides an autumnal punch. (designed by Christine Tuttle)

Robert and Cortney Novogratz used the color 'Pumpkin' from their own line of paint, Novogratz for Stark, for this bedroom in their home in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Orange Outlooks

• Christine Tuttle urges clients to consider a warm orange color, rather than reverting to the default red as an accent.

• Robert and Cortney Novogratz like the lightheartedness of the color ‘Pumpkin’ from their new line, Novogratz for Stark Paint. They tell us that a room painted in an unexpected hue can act as the focal point for the entire home: “[It] makes a room fun, and distinctive, and certainly bold! One thing is for sure, an orange room will never be boring.”

• Elizabeth Martin believes in using a neutral backdrop so that the color can be the star, especially when presented in interesting silhouettes. She says, “You've heard the saying; ‘The dress is wearing the girl’ rather than ‘the girl is wearing the dress.’ The same is true in interior design when using bright color: A room should knock you out, but [with subtlety].”

• It’s all in the mindset. Urit Chaimovitz points out: “At times clients worry that using orange in their home will feel too Halloween. I like to counter with two words: ‘Hermes box.’"

Elizabeth Martin

Interior designer Elizabeth Martin uses orange accents to add a "wow" factor to a room painted in neutral tones of a grey-green. Using brights against neutral is an elegant way to incorporate bold tones without becoming overwhelmed by them.

Interior designer Urit Chaimovitz says, "I find that orange is a very happy bathroom color. It's great in a small space and most skin tones get a glowing effect from it." (pight photo by Liza Voll)

Left: A bathroom gets a super dark treatment, with relief from a wall in cobalt. (designed by Fawn Galli)

Right; White, silver, and orange elements lighten up the look and mood in this kitchen. (designed by Fawn Galli)

Interior designer Abigail Ahern painted the trim and foundation of her London home black. The effect is restrained and elegant.

Beguiled by Black

• Fawn Galli favors Benjamin Moore ‘Black’ interior room paint in a washable matte finish.

• Abigail Ahern admits, “Painting rooms full-on noir can be scary stuff, but if you get the lighting right, it can look really sexy.” She says to consider dark colors for smaller rooms, like dens, which will feel really cozy.

Mixing It Up

• Liz Caan counsels, “Ultimately it's about carefully balancing the space when using these strong colors.” If you go with dark walls, choose a light rug for a base. For accents, use rich red-orange pieces as opposed to lighter tangerine shades. The stronger orange will stand up better against black.

• For a more sophisticated application, Urit Chaimovitz likes to mix orange and black with the chocolate brown, taupe, or heavy cream. She says, “It is important to note that orange tones can range from the color of juice to the shades of leaves in late fall. That gives the homeowner a good amount of variation to play with, depending on the [desired] effect.” If a client will not commit to orange and black, she can usually get them to agree to combining orange with the darkest chocolate brown imaginable. She says, “We still create that wonderful richness, but not the ‘boo’ moment.”

• Finally, if you are going for Halloween chic, Chaimovitz conjured up this scheme: Start with a custom black and white mosaic marble floor and black chalkboard paint on the walls. Hang framed antique medical reference drawings of skeletons, then set out jars of orange candy and a vase of orange flowers on your black slate countertop.”

Liz Caan

Designed by Liz Caan (Photo by Eric Roth) Designer Liz Caan tells us about this teen lounge: "We used tones of black (grey blacks and navy blacks), but kept the room relatively cool so the warm orange would pop off it. The space needed to be gender neutral, so the black, grey and orange combo was a safe one."

A black and white table setting designed by Nickey Kehoe with Heath Ceramics. A bold striped tablecloth sets the stage (er, table) for simple black place settings. A natural orange centerpiece roughs it up and finishes the look. (designed by Nickey Kehoe)

Flair Home Collection

What's black and white, black and white, and black and white? A perfectly designed room by George Nunno and Jon Maroto, who used to work for Coach and now own Flair, a Soho boutique with new and vintage furniture and home accessories. (designed by George Nunno and Jon Maroto of FLAIR Home Collection)

We turned up both dramatic and fun black and orange pieces on eBay:

Roll over items for details

Herman Miller Fiberglass Shell Chairs

(buy it now price, $750)

Mid-Century Orange Chrome Rocking Chair

(buy it now price, $1,200)

Set of 2 Marimekko ‘Poimulehti’ Pillow Cushion Cases

(starting bid, $45)

Vintage Orange Hollywood Regency Accent Chair

(buy it now price, $450)

Hampton Bay Penchant 6-Light Black Pendant

(starting bid, $150)

1970s Harvey Guzzini Mushroom Pendant Lamp

( buy it now price, $290)

Solid Black House Bird Handcrafted

(buy it now price, $69.90)

Florence Knoll Black Leather Mid-Century Sofa

(buy it now price, $1,995)

George Nelson Designed Howard Miller Ball Clock

(buy it now price, $59.95)

Ikea Black Puzzle Candelabra

(starting bid, $4.55)

Black Chrome Eyeball Adjustable Desk Lamp

(buy it now price, $279)

Marimekko 'Rasymatto' Porcelain Plate

(buy it now price, $29.51)

Franz Kline Black and White 1960 Reproduction Oil on Canvas

(buy it now price, $300)

Orange and Black Rooms That Are Anything But Scary

Terrat Elms

Orange walls make for a cozy study, while orange drapes and upholstery lead the eye into the living room. (designed by Terrat Elms)

Katie Leede

Fabrics designed by Katie Leede incorporate two different tones of orange. Leed says, "I upholstered my home office in 'Shade of Sycamore,' and I always feel like I'm in the midst of a forest of falling leaves." (left: 'Shade of Sycamore' in saffron; right: 'Ptah' in turmeric)

A black and orange combo is a warm and earthy autumnal palette, perfect for curling up with a book or getting down to work. (designed by Katie Leede of Digs by Katie)

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