Black Magic

Paul Douglas of Room, an Edinburgh-based design firm recently painted the bedroom of his Victorian house black. "I wanted a retreat and a cocoon. People think of black as austere but it can be incredibly warm. The trick is good lighting."

The various black tones are offset with warm cherrywood wardrobe and cabinets. "It's quite masculine but not at all cold. I was inspired by New York Deco hotels; that's when black was used really well."

The Independent on Sunday Style magazine - April 2000