Dark & Stormy
Image via Architectural Digest
Although it was about forty degrees this morning in New England, Spring is technically in full swing! In interior and event design, springtime traditionally implies bright florals and bold prints, all punctuated in poppy shades of daffodil yellow, juicy tangerine, and azure blue. While I love a colorful design that packs a punch, I think there is something very modern and distinctly cool about leaning into dark, richly saturated tones year round. From corporate events to weddings, urban apartments to country cottages, incorporating shades of black, navy, emerald, and aubergine into your palette will surely make a statement in the chicest way possible.
Image via Farrow and Ball
Let’s consider wedding planning for a moment. If you thumb across any soon-to-be-bride’s pinterest boards, or flip through the pages of a bridal magazine, you’ll be inundated with tablescapes, florals, paper suites, and bridesmaid dresses in shades of blush, taupe, and dove grey, and I completely understand why. A soft and neutral palette is entirely non-offensive to the eye, altogether timeless, and, well, immediately reads as bridal. There is absolutely nothing wrong if your aesthetic leans more towards traditionally “happily ever after”! However, I’m here to give you a gentle nudge in the direction of at least exploring a darker, more moody color palette, and here’s why…
A wedding that I had the pleasure of assisting with
A darker palette brings the drama in the best way possible. Rich linens allow candlelight to pop, creating the illusion of floating flames. Additionally, the juxtaposition of navy, black, plum, oxblood, burgundy, and blackberry, with pops of cream, allow for a wonderfully deep layered look on your tablescapes. Bonus points for selecting elevated architectural florals, which help cultivate a stormy secret garden aesthetic.
When wedding planning, don’t forget the importance of lighting in creating a specific look and feel for your space. Consider cool versus light tones in addition to specific colors and pattern washes, and don’t be afraid to ask your lighting designer lots of questions- they’re the experts after all!
Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment! Put together as many mood boards, and order as many floral and linen samples, as you need to until you’re perfectly content with your selections. Plus, even if you decide not to go with a dark n’ stormy palette for your wedding, you can always keep it in your back pocket for the birthday party of your (dark and moody) dreams!