True Blue . . .
A Bachelor Pad Dressed in Blue and Brass
Black Flame. That’s the name of the paint color used on the walls of [a] space. [No, this image is not of that room, but this one has a deep emerald color. We just titled this True Blue.] It is black with a heavy indigo undertone. The name itself sounds mysterious and romantic and that’s exactly the mood it evokes. “Growing up as teenagers, we were always mesmerized by dark hallways and spaces,” says Arun Shekar, cofounder of Humming Tree Architecture Studio, based in Calicut, Kerala in India. That fascination with the dark helped inspire the design of this bachelor pad.
The studio team was thrilled when they were approached by the homeowner to provide a design update. “It was everything we could have wanted in a bedroom—double-height ceilings, voluminous, spacious,” says Arun.
“Bedrooms are personal spaces that are usually relaxing and serene environments that use pastel, neutral, and softly shaded colors. We wanted to create a striking space with dark-toned colors. We broke barriers with this design,” says Mohammed Afnan, the studio’s other founding architect. “Dark colors are viewed as moody by many, but we wanted to challenge that notion. We think they should be seen as romantic instead,” he continues.
Mahogany floors add another dark touch to the room. The rich brown complements and contrasts the cooler tone on the walls. The diagonal flooring adds movement to the space, giving visual relief to the hard angles found elsewhere. Classic black-and-white tiles dance across the floor in the dressing area. Mirrored doors disguise the closet and multiply the light in the narrow area.
Velvet fabrics, cozy throws, and faux fur in shades of blue and gray soften the room and make it seem luxuriously indulgent. An oversize chandelier made of Swarovski crystals takes advantage of the thirteen-foot-tall ceiling and provides a sparkling centerpiece.
Attention to detail is played up at every opportunity. A raised geometric pattern over an arched entrance is highlighted with metallic-blue paint. A mantel tops a false fireplace that hides electronics cords.
Kerala, a state on the southwestern coast of India, is known for its sultry beaches and backwater canals. Inside this darkly shaded room, you could be forgiven for forgetting the sunny outside world. Yet the design duo included many touches that hint at the locale and history of the place. First, the greenery—monstera and snake plants—serve as a reminder of the tropical location. “Plants add character to a home,” says Arun. “They bring the home alive and make it more charming. Adding in the monstera plants changed the whole aesthetic of the room.” The bright pop of green complements the Black Flame walls and the organic shapes invite closer study.
Brass introduces a welcome, warm finish. Apart from its aesthetic function, brass provides a historical reference. “Brass is a widely used metal in Kerala,” explains Afnan. “It’s a significant part of our history—from cooking in traditional brass vessels (urli), to making Ayurvedic medicines in them, and lighting brass oil lamps in the evening to welcome positive energy into the house.” In this design, the metal is a consistent accent with furniture, finishes, and accessories, and as a decorative addition to the mirror-fronted closet doors.
Although brass is traditional, the overall design is anything but. “Here we celebrate Holi, the festival of colors. We believe bright colors add positivity. It was hard for us to fathom using darker colors in a bedroom. But we convinced our client to try it because we wanted to break norms and show the possibilities that were there,” says Afnan. “To date, the success of this room is our proudest moment as designers.”
Contributed by Ronda Swaney
What I love about using dark colors is that they could be used in the home as stark contrasts to other items. Normally, for selling a home, we strive for light colors, but if you’ve already purchased your home and would like to try something bold, do it.
In our home, we installed a dark granite with hints of burgundy and mauve. It has a contrast of terra cotta style tile backsplashes and lighter color ceramic tile flooring. My husband still loves the look. Some people prefer one or a few dark walls to bring out something like light framed art. If you have a project you’ve done and would like to share, I’d like to see it.