I pay no intentions to trends. I decorate my house, with what I like.

At 64 I’ve learned to not follow trends. It has saved me a lot of money over the years 😊

Personally, I love black, and I do use it generously throughout my home. That being said, I am a 60yr-old single male with a very traditional aesthetic. I do not, however, use black metals nor do I have black walls or black appliances. I tend to use black in very classic ways, and it works for me. 1) A black leather sofa from Crate & Barrel that I bought at an estate auction. It was in mint condition and only cost me $300. 2) Black lampshades on almost all of my lamps (which are mostly brass or dark ceramic. 3) A black leather headboard on the bed, which works as a great backdrop to whatever color palette I choose to use in my bedroom. 4) Black based marble countertops in the bathroom and kitchen. 5) A collection of black basalt and Jasperware (Wedgwood) which I have always collected. 6) Black lacquered dining chairs, which I use around a mahogany pedestal table. And that's about it. Black is very heavy color, so it's best to use it carefully. I tend to like dark and moody spaces, so that's why I use it, but I certainly don't recommend it for those who prefer light and airy rooms. Cheers!

Good video😊 But.... I use the colours that I love. I don't care what trends are.

This whole video was about ditching black. I wanted to learn more about ditching color trends.

I have a charcoal grey kitchen and I love it. I have softened it with warm wood and it’s beautiful.

I could say the same thing about gray! So tired of gray!

A black glossy front door will always look amazing

I’ve watched Homeworthy’s videos of so called ‘interior designers’ and their homes are HORRIBLE! Long story short, it’s your home and no one else’s. Do what YOU want!

I am so sick and tired of GRAY! Enough already!

I appreciate that you steer people away from trends that ultimately are costly and environmentally wasteful. It's so much easier to add personality with art, furnishings and accessories.

Cabinet hardware and faucets are a soft item. If you like black now, go for it because these are easy to change. Wallpaper is a major pain to change.

As a designer nothing really is a mistake if you love it and it makes you feel good. For example I would get a headache in a room with so much color so would never have that in my home. . As for black it’s timeless and not going anywhere. I do agree it needs to be complimented with things that make it work. I’ve had my black/bronze door handles for twenty years and still love it!

My sister has a black & white kitchen that is fabulous! It was done about 12 years ago and still looks terrific. I think the key is the balance of black & and white, plus making the kitchen playful. White & cream kitchens really bore me - no personality.

Black has been one of my favorite colors all my life and the color that's lasted the longest in my home. It goes so well with other colors. I do balance it with other colors. Over the years, I've had a lot of fun with all kinds of color.

I love black. I use it sparingly throughout my apartment. I never get tired of it. Same in my wardrobe too.

I usually stay away from “trend” videos and search for “classic and timeless”. I have often used Black in a room but only as something in an accent. Never front and center. Agree gold and silver/nickel fixtures will never fully go out of style.

I miss my black kitchen cabinets! My most sophisticated kitchen and my most beautiful home. Balanced my black Steinway grand in the open concept living area.

I've always loved the crisp contrast of black and white. The old white farmhouses with black shutters and trim are beautiful in my area. I do agree that black should not be used in places that get dirty, like floors. You should also stay away from black in your kitchen, bath, or laundry rooms if you have hard water.

Agree 100 percent on all counts. As an ageing person whose eyesight has difficulty in dim lighting I find especially that a dark kitchen and black appliances are a nightmare! For several years I have refused to purchase any items that recede into a black hole. Also don't like the water spots when cleaning hardware! Although a black exterior might look somewhat sophisticated and modern in certain situations (like in modern architecture) it doesn't translate well to traditional architecture in my opinion. Love your channel by the way !

The Tuscan style was my heart's favorite. I'm a traditional gal.

Everyone has a opinion. Do what you love who cares what anyone else thinks.

I live in a folk Victorian; 1898-1900 est. My bathroom is black above the picture rail and white subway tile, marble skirting. Polished nickel for all fixtures. It’s period appropriate and classic. I am waiting until we can afford to redo our kitchen and will get soapstone. I’ve wanted those black counters for 25 years. I doubt I will ever regret those decisions designing with black.

My dining room walls have been black for 20 years. Loved it then and still love it now. No plans to change it. It took 5-6 years before my Mom even noticed. Oh the horror! 😂😂😂

As someone who has always loved black but was afraid to use it the trend gave me the courage to move forward. I am aware that it can go too far very easily. I have always loved a black kitchen or darker in general, while my cabinets are a black brown colour I have marble countertops and stainless steel modern pulls. It looks good. I would love to replace all the cabinets to black but won't do it because I know in my space it is not the right choice. Yes my bathroom has black fixtures and I LOVE IT, but my vanity cabinet is also black so is the mirror. It works well together and your eye does not jump around because I put it together very carefullyl. i was a grey fan before it was a big trend and I went a bit nuts with it but realized that was happening so I dialled it back. I still love grey and still use it despite the anti grey trend. I am going to be repainting my living area and hallway which is grey now but i am choosing a much lighter version to make it look fresh.

I've been saying for years, a trend has a shelf life of roughly 10'ish years so unless you're going to be switching out things like cabs/counters/backsplash, flooring, furniture, etc., every 10 years, stick with classics for these, the timeless classic pieces that look good with nearly anything.

Thanks Maria! Loved the video ❤

Thank you!!! Everything you just said is 100% true. I just purchased a house and the whole was black and white. I've incorporated so much color, I'm afraid I may be going overboard.

I love your videos😊 And your terrific use of color.

I can’t watch one of these types of videos that takes several minutes to get to the purpose of the video.

Totally disagree on the black. I love it and it's timeless.

I am so tired of gray. Not that it’s ugly it’s just too sterile. The white gray look. I have always loved warmer tones even when they weren’t trendy.

"Trends" and "forever" in the same sentence. Lol. This was timely as I am planning to paint my house. Yhank you!

I LOVE black faucets and hardware and I’m not afraid to use black walls or artwork to tie it all in so that it doesn’t look out of place.

Always loved what a black lamp shade does for lighting.

I’ve been looking at houses for a year because I need to move closer to my mom, but I’m waiting for my grandmother’s estate to settle so I have the best budget to get as close to my mom (in Dallas, TX) as my mom. I’m beyond sick of seeing these houses that have been gutted and all I can see are gray walls, gray cheap flooring, and no walls. My decorating style is more Traditional which I guess is called Grandmillenial and/or Chinoiserie these days. Where are you supposed to put your furniture, artwork, shelving with decorative pieces if you don’t have any walls? And I’ve never been against wallpaper. I don’t know why it was so ferociously out of fashion. But that gray wall and gray flooring is something that’s starting to leave me feeling a little depressed when I see it over and over. I definitely agree with you when it comes to trends that need to go away!

loved every bit of this!! Thank you

Sure, black interiors can look bad but they can also be great. For decades, one of my favourite restaurants has been The Black Pearl in Newport, Rhode Island. Glossy black walls with framed nautical maps. I also still remember an apartment I saw 20 years ago with black piping on all the edges of the walls and ceiling, like the trim on a Chanel jacket. Sometimes it does work.

I completely agree with you!! You are so honest and knowledgeable, I really enjoyed this video. Looking forward to more great design tips. Thank you! :)

Soapstone is also a wonderful option for countertops & is a nice contrast with white kitchen/bathroom cabinets, it's also much more 'user friendly' than marble & it won't stain nearly as easily. This is the stuff on lab tables in nearly every high school science/chemistry/biology lab, if it can handle that... Whichever stone you choose though, be sure to go to the stone yard in person & take a bottle of water to pour on the slab you want to get a better view of the veining.

When I moved and updated my new house, I had to decide between doing what I loved, or doing what might be better if I ever have to see the house. I went with what I loved, since I had never been able to do that before. I’m so glad I did.

Trends play no part of my conversation . I am so happy i continue with my whites everywhere using big colourful splashes with art and cushions and lamps to affordably change it up . Following a trend in decoration as with fashion makes you a mindless follower .

As a designer and renovator, 16 homes.. my palette is tranquil bones, natural light, views and punch it with color, art, fresh flowers. Breathe.

I LOVE how you put rooms together!

We went with black granite kitchen countertops in 2000 and it was instant regret one day later! Huge dust collector & we are finally going to replace them this year. Not unhappy about my backsplash choice which was basic subway tile with white grout and I’m sticking with it. I totally agree with everything in this video.

I’m a big black paint lover haha sitting in my office right now, but you aren’t wrong! Opted for London Clay in our master and the amt of depth and texture to create that balance can be tough and a lot more work. It has to have a lot of foresight. I didn’t know you sold those lists of paint combos!! For someone who helps people reno their homes I’m gonna have to go find that, especially the moody rooms one! Love your content.

Black looks fabulous

Love black. Carefully.

I know of someone who painted their living room walls black a year and a half ago. They thought it was so dramatic. A month ago, they decided to repaint the walls. When they moved the furniture, you could see how badly the paint had faded. The new green paint looks much better.

I love your design aesthetic and use of color. New subscriber here, I found you on IG and love all your videos.

I love finding fabric to use as walpaper! put it up, get tired,pull down, was and reuse as something else!

I’ve moved every 8 yrs and decorated with new trends. Now I have to stay in one place and re-decorate. A first for me. Into color now so have to think about what I like. The trends didn’t work for long.

I just painted my kitchen cabinets a pewter gray with black hardware. I love it ! I live in a cabin with lots of windows so there lots of light.

Honesty. how refreshing!!

For your lighting that you love, when you’re tired of the black, paint don’t toss it. You’ll get another 5-10 years out of it.

Hi, Im new to your channel and so happy to follow you. I think your advice is more solid and sensible than most youtube decorators and designers by far. If you want the most bang for your buck this is the channel! ❤

I LOVE THIS ADVICE!! Now if only HGTV would hop on board.. it would be dead then 😂

You are helpful and so entertaining. 😊your humor is great

Thank you for this. It is difficult to go away from what all other design world is preaching.

I just want to paint the house some kind of white paint. Now I do have dark dining room.still like wood tones, which I have a lot of. Wonderful light in every room..lots of windows.

Love this! Shades of my mom; who was an interior designer. She’s passed now too soon. Beautiful!

Ooo! Your's is my aesthetic! I was raised with the OLD Southern Living magazine (not the new lame one). All things southern and colorful. Then I found The English Home magazine and dug even deeper into color pattern and timeless design. Every room in my house is color! Sherwin Williams colors: Naval, Romance, Lemon Chiffon, Hinting Blue, Koral Kicks, Kale, Glimmer... They all go together as you walk from room to room. Can't wait to see what you have!

I don’t understand how you can people make mistakes with are choosing furnishings and hard finishes. What ever happened to doing what make you feel good? Trends change every couple of years and most of us are not financially capable of following trends in and out. Advice to everyone - do what makes you happy!

I learnt long ago to not follow the trend but go with what I like and what is practical for me. Trends are just that -trends. I absolutely love earthy colours and textures. Just like fashion - for some it works for others it doesn’t.

What are your thoughts on black trim windows? I need to replace mine and I have no idea if I should go with regular white or a more contemporary black trim.

Just came across your content. Any advice for switching out or updating banisters and railings? I was considering the black iron ones but this video gave me pause. The only black element I have is the tile surrounding my fireplace. Recently upgraded to medium dark maple floors but the oak banisters etc really look not good. I’ve been waiting for black exteriors especially to run their course. Thanks.

Wonderful analysis and recommendations! I agree on all counts. I am so sick and tired of seeing black and gray and boring white splashed all over the place in every interior I tour. THANK YOU! The human eye is equipped with color receptors, so let's make use of them.

Hi Maria, What are your thoughts on gold fixtures, cabinet door handles and lighting fixtures? Will it be here for a while more or on it's way out? 😊

Loved your video content. Thank you. The only thing I think we are missing is people should choose the colors they like. I have half a wall painted in my living room. I don't like the color. So I stopped I'm taking my time to choose a color I love. I'm the one that has to live with it. Forget trends....choose what you love. Everyone else loves the color...but I dont....so I'm changing it.

Get on with it!

You do indeed know about color! Thank you for your videos. And, for the record, I love bright colors as I live in the very dreary (a good chunk of the year) Pacific Northwest. I gotta have colors!

Maria, I’m in process of a new build, and the only fixture I’ve chosen is for over the island. It is partially black, but mostly white. My question is, in the adjoining breakfast area, should the chandelier finish match the fixture over the island? I don’t want too much black, but I want the fixtures to relate.

Thank you! We are looking to purchase a new build inventory home, my choices are Gray, Gray and more Gray kitchen cabinets. There is a couple with White kitchen cabinets. I’m feeling like I should go with the White, will the Gray be outdated like by the end of the year?

I love your outfit color combo and accessories

Hooray! I’m updating early 2000 light fixtures and I’ve had two lighting designers recommend the black spider chandeliers. They give me nightmares! Also glad to hear silver is making a comeback.

I have had a black kitchen with antique rub for 15 years and still love it. I have beige counter tops and can up date it every year with every color that is popular. If anything we are sick of white kitchens.

There’s a designer on KZfaq, House V…she has done black rooms, black fireplace wall…black & white everywhere I don’t care for it personally but looks good in her home.

I love the greenish color in your video at 8:13. Can you share the name of that paint color. Gorgeous!!! ❤😊

We once toured a home when we were moving. The house had black wood flooring throughout. I was shocked!!! It was like someone threw a dark blanket over me. It was so oppressive. I told the agent, “Let’s go. I definitely don’t want this house”.

I always preferred chrome kitchen and bath fixtures. Brushed nickel feels trendy to me. I don't like black anything, it shows too much dust. I have a beige stucco house. I wanted to have it painted gray, but all my neighbors put up gray vinyl siding, so now I'm thinking blue with white trim and roof. Living on an island, and loving the beach, I've painted my interior all white, but rugs, drapes, and furniture are different shades of blues. It's calming and can be changed out easily.

What about the navy blue islands or cabinets you see instead of black , is that ok?

I like black fixtures but I think they work better in kitchens or bathrooms where there is some color so instead of white cabinets maybe they are light wood or sage green. I think the color helps to make it so your eye is bouncing around so much. I do love the black and White House’s as well but I do think the exterior accent may be a bit much. It’s a very stark contrast. Now to explain why I like these so much. I have lived in boldly colored homes. My bedroom used to be a crimson red, bathroom was striped red and white and my studio was grey. I then moved to an apartment with all beige / cream walls. I then moved to an apartment with white walls. I then moved to a home with green and blue pastel walls. And I’ve also lived in a house will wooden logs for walls. Of all of the homes I lived in the only one I truely loved and was obsessed with was the white one. I felt so at peace. It was calming and bright and it really worked for me. I think it helped make the home feel less chaotic and cluttered. It also really matched my personality. I am more of a minimalist. I also have an extensive wardrobe working in the fashion industry but my closet is mainly black, white, grey and like one or two shirts in a color. So this just fits my personality. I don’t think it works for everyone but as a creative myself I think it’s nice to have a balance of a color to make the chaos of life seem a little less hectic. I have two crazy cats with pica who cause me all kinds of stress so I just need something to balance that energy. I think color can look great like in your portfolio but it’s out of my comfort zone and is too energetic for the space I want to live in so I hope these trends don’t look dated because it’s really what works best for me. That being said I do love the work you do so don’t think of this as an insult. I’m just a Japandi kinda gal.

Hello Maria I’m so grateful to have found your Chanel due to your honest opinion. I live in a 1920s arts and crafts home and need help figuring out how to refresh the exterior paint. The base siding is stark white and the top section and porch siding is a faded cranberry red. The previous owner added black as an accent, so the porch was black but I couldn’t stand how filthy it always looks even after cleaning so I’ve started the process of painting it a neutral taupe called sharkskin by ppg. I’m not sure how else to tone down the harshness of the black. Do you have any recommendations of a timeless red and white and where the black accent should be? 🩷 I’m not sure I’ll get a response but I would greatly appreciate your feedback 😊 cheers!

I have a Powder room with black granite counters and floor. We have lived in thus house 10 years and it has always been difficult to decorate because of the stark contrast of black and white.

First time viewer. Agree with all you said..(except the gold hardware🤮) but almost passed you buy with the thought..'what can she teach me about timeless color when she's dressed like that?'😂 But I reminded myself of the season and my sometimes quirky personality and I dove in👍 That being said...isn't this really close to just ONE color trend mistake...black.

Don’t have any black in my wardrobe, linens, or chosen color. Just appliances that come in limited colors. I prefer natural woods.

I don't mind a little black used properly, but l hated the black hardware and plumbing fixtures as soon as they came out. I'll be glad to see them go.

I painted black accent walls in my house 17 years ago, and I agree with you 100% that it is very easy to overdo black. I believe many people who install an all-black kitchen will regret it and wish they used light natural woods instead, which are more timeless and sunny for a kitchen. Black walls tend to work better in bedrooms, while lighter wood walls and wood cabinets work better in the living room, kitchen and dining room. Darker natural wood floors match the earth element while a lighter natural wood ceiling evokes a light sky.

Goodbye black hardware etc - good point Maria. You wouldn't be called succinct though lol. Thank you for your professional guidance here. You do know how to make your point. Yuck black, yum cream.

That green and pink kind of grew on me by the end of the video 😃 Glad i found this video, i was just about to paint my garage door in Iron Ore (SW) or Iron Mountain (BM) on a beige stucco house. It's probably better if i go with Wild Truffle (Behr) or something lighter like that?

Never, never go for trends....Always go for what you like and what feels calming.

So true absolutely right

The white and black exterior on house coming from the show Yellowstone like their barns?

need a nice light timeless color for the interior of the home (the "all over" color) . We plan to stay in this home another 5 years so need it to be timeless for resale in 2030

I agree, black is a beautiful interior color, but difficult to make it look like a classic and time-lasting option. It's a bit like eating, the eye pulls more than the stomach can handle, and then you get sick... Too much is too much in everything.

anyone know what the moody blue/gray is in 8:06?

I liked it better when you sent a blog instead of a video.

I need a color consultant like you. For fifteen years we have been unable to decide on a tile that goes with the 500 sq ft of 12x12 tile already down. Our house in Texas is not spanish style but the builder put in this terra cotta-like color tile everywhere in the entry, kitchen, dining, laundry and utility areas. It is the color of Sherwin Williams 6629 Jalapeno. The white carpet was trashed by the dogs and removed so we have this red/brown tile and bare concrete. Can't afford to remove the ugly tile.

I love that watermelon channeling outfit.

I painted in 22 a small accent wall in black behind our counter bar and it looks awesome. Nothing else is. I don’t care what you say.