SOURCE: Pinterest
When you think of black you might not instinctually think about home but did you know that black is actually considered a neutral? While black is technically the absence of colour (achromatic) it’s considered neutral because it isn’t found on the colour wheel and it lacks saturation. That’s the technical criteria for a neutral so if anyone tells you otherwise you can be armed with information.
If you’re brave enough to consider black for your home, I applaud you. It’s elegant, timeless and will add a wow factor anywhere you paint it. Now comes the difficult part in deciding which black is right for you and if you’ve never considered Benjamin Moore’s Witching Hour you might want to add it to your list.
Quick Facts About Witching Hour
- Benjamin Moore Witching Hour 2120-30
- A cool charcoal black with blue undertones.
- Works best in any room that needs some drama and personality. It is a timeless colour that will never feel outdated.
- Pairs well with all neutrals like white, cream and beige It also looks fabulous with other bold, deep colours like green, orange, yellow or red.
SOURCE: West Pear Interiors
If you’ve been following me for any length of time you know that I love colour. I think light neutrals are amazing but there are times when we just want to make a statement. Paint is the easiest and fastest way to transform your home so why not have fun with it. And while Witching Hour might seem like a step too far just look at this post to see how amazing black can be in any room in your home.
Black has long been associated with elegance and sophistication when it comes to both fashion and furnishings but for some reason we have a negative association with black paint. It’s time to change that because black truly does make a home feel elevated, sophisticated and timeless. Don’t sleep on this colour if you want a home that is unique and turns heads.
Is There an Undertone?
SOURCE: Nouveau Design House
While Witching Hour does have a blue undertone it definitely leans towards black. I would consider this to be a deeper charcoal so while it’s a dark colour it’s a light black. This works for people who don’t like to be surprised by hidden undertones and want the colour to be just as it appears on the chip and in the can.
If you have a lot of natural light coming into your room you will definitely see more of those undertones during the brightest part of the day. As soon as the sun moves away from your room the black and charcoal will be restored.
Will Witching Hour Work In Your Home?
SOURCE: Colorize
I know I’ve said that Witching Hour is timeless but I do have some precautions as well. Just like with any colour, know your space and examine both the fixed materials as well as the furniture, artwork and decor.
I honestly would avoid this colour (or any black paint) if you live in a very traditional home. This is a colour that has a stronger association with a modern space. Black is not a colour that’s used much in traditional spaces and incorporating it could cause some visual confusion when mixed with a really traditional setting and furnishings.
There are a couple of exceptions and I wouldn’t hesitate to use it in a traditional space in these types of ways. The first would be a small powder room where you want to make a strong impact. A small room painted black with pops of bold colour in artwork is always going to look amazing. I would also use black on cabinetry in a traditional kitchen. Read this post to see how I incorporated both black and white cabinetry into a kitchen.
On the other hand, if your home is modern, mid-century or transitional you can absolutely incorporate black and it will shine. Witching Hour would be a great choice for walls, cabinetry, doors or trim.
Trim Colours to Use With Witching Hour
There are a number of white trim colours that will look wonderful with Witching Hour but you need to consider your space and your goals. A crisp white will provide a nice contrast and the trimwork will stand out a bit more. If you have trim that you want to accentuate this could be a nice way to accomplish that. Alternatively, if you want a trim that allows the wall paint to stand out then go for something a bit more subdued.
1/ White Heron OC-57
I love this pairing because just as Witching Hour has a cool tone so does White Heron. This white has a slightly gray undertone and will pair well with the charcoal of Witching Hour. This is a great option when you don’t want to draw too much attention to the trimwork and will allow Witching Hour to be the star of the show.
2/ Chantilly Lace
If you have beautiful trim that you want to stand out against the deep tones of Witching Hour you should definitely consider Chantilly Lace. This is a tried and true classic and a favourite of designers because it’s the closest we come to “pure” white in the Benjamin Moore collection.
This is also a great cabinetry colour so if you wanted to paint your kitchen walls in Witching Hour and need a cabinet colour, this is worth investigating. And yes, coloured cabinetry is definitely trending at the moment but don’t let anyone tell you that white cabinetry is out of date. That’s a classic that will always be in style.
3/ Pure White
If you want a white that blends more seamlessly with Witching Hour I suggest you opt for one that has blue or gray undertones. Pure White definitely leans towards blue undertones and will fade into the background as opposed to stand out as a statement on its own. I also love that the cool tones of Pure White match the cool tones of Witching Hour.
Best Colours to Pair With Witching Hour
You may be afraid to add any additional colour when using a black paint but if you remember at the beginning of the post I explained that black is a neutral. All neutrals can be used alone or in conjunction with other colour so don’t be afraid.
As always, consider additional colour by examining your space. Look at the fixed materials, the furniture, artwork, textiles and decor. Don’t just add additional colours because they pair well with black. You want everything to work harmoniously and build a whole palette together.
Here are some of my favourite colour pairings when using Witching Hour.
1/ Silver Spring
One of the best designer tips for pairing colours is to pull the undertone and use that colour as the secondary colour in a room. In this case, the undertone of Witching Hour is blue so why not incorporate that into your scheme?
This colour will not fight with your primary colour and will help to create a seamless palette that’s easy on the eyes. This is a good trick for those who prefer low contrast colour schemes.
2/ Wilmington Tan
If you want to add a bit more contrast but keep the look classic and timeless consider using a tan or caramel colour. We see this all the time in fashion and that’s always a good place to gather inspiration if we’re unsure of our colour scheme. This will feel elegant and timeless and won’t need to be updated anytime soon.
3/ Classic Gray
If you prefer a colour that will let Witching Hour shine on its own consider a lighter neutral like Classic Gray. This will still give the timeless, effortless look that neutrals always provide. Classic Gray will act as a complementary colour and stand on its own but it will definitely feel like the addition and won’t fight for attention against Witching Hour.
My Final Words on Witching Hour
In case it hasn’t been made abundantly clear, I love this colour. I think it’s so underrated and will give your home a hard-to-find combination of classic and edgy as well as modern and timeless. If you want to explore black but need options, read this post where I dive into Benjamin Moore Black Beauty.
If you know your design style but you struggle with which paint to use, take a look at my Made-For-You paint palettes. They take the guesswork out and give you the confidence to get started.
