A Vanity With a Dark Side..Waking Up Neutrals

Every once in a while you find something that you really, really wish

 would turn up uninvited on your doorstep..

like this vanity, from the portfolio of Stylist Kara Butterfield.

I love the lines, the detailing on the doors, and those wonderful pulls.

But what I really love about this vanity is the dark sink and faucet.

Graceful and elegant without glitz, they add balance to a very neutral space.

They give your eye somewhere to rest, without adding more color.

Here are two more examples of the use of dark accents in neutral spaces from her work:

The bold mirrors ground this ornate cabinet beautifully, 

and another works it's magic in the powder room beyond.

(I had that wool Ikea carpet in my front hall, 

it has met with a rather unfortunate end since meeting our new puppy :)

A replacement will have to wait until this chewing stage is over!)

The luscious color of that fireplace is one of my faves..

it reminds me of Mushroom, by Frazee.

And the tiles are perfection.

But it wouldn't be half as lovely without the ebonized interior, would it? 

Simple birch logs function as sculpture within.

Do you use hits of black or other dark tones to wake up neutrals?

Or do you prefer to bring in pops of color?

til next time..