Double Parlor Painting The Victorian House

Black Beauty

I’d hoped to have a painted room to share today, but I underestimated the ability of my right arm to paint and paint and paint. I’ve primed, I’ve put a first coat on, and I’ve done half of the cutting in for the second (and final, I hope) coat of paint, but I still have a few hours of painting ahead of me before it’s done. Such tall ceilings! So many windows and doorways, and a fireplace to cut in! Such strong shoulders I will have! (On the right side, at least.) Luckily my legs are holding up just fine with having gone up and down the ladder all weekend, and I’ve finished all of the up-high work.

Black Benjamin Moore Paint Swatches - Soot, Almost Black, Polo Blue, and Black Beauty #makingitlovely

I liked the range of blacks that Benjamin Moore offered, so I stuck with them for my samples. I tried Soot (so close), Almost Black (too light), Polo Blue (pretty and nuanced, but too blue), and finally, Black Beauty (the winner!). It’s the warm black I had been looking for, and it makes the wood trim in the room look amazing. The three huge windows are South-facing, and the room is flooded with light, so it can take a dark, dramatic color. I can’t wait to see it with the furniture back in place!

Now, off to paint.

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  • Meg
    March 3, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    I recently picked Black Beauty for my kitchen cabinets. I loved that it was a true black but softer and less harsh than some of the other Benjamin Moore colors. I haven’t painted them yet, but I’m excited to see how it looks!

  • Ilse
    March 3, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    Can’t wait to see how it turns out, I bet it will be gorgeous! I will soon be painting an entire room a very dark grey colour (just have some prepping to do!) so I am very excited to see your room in black too, I really love the colour you picked.

  • Molly
    March 3, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    WOW! That is so gorgeous already!! Can’t wait to see the final result, plus all the styling you do. This is just breathtaking!

  • Autumn
    March 3, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    I can’t wait to see it with the furniture back in place either. I personally stay away from dark colors, but with the style your going for I’m interested to see how it will turn out. :)

  • Sarahmia
    March 3, 2014 at 3:20 pm

    I’m not sure I’d ever consider black for our home (when we moved in we painted absolutely everything white, ha) but I must admit, it looks like it’s going to be lovely, here :)

    We have sporadic light in our house, which changes over the year so I really don’t think a fully dark room would survive. Maybe just the one wall tho, hrm…

    Looking forward to seeing the finished space! :)

  • Melissa
    March 3, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    I can’t wait for the final reveal! I am debating painting my bedroom black. My mom thinks I am crazy

    • Kristine
      March 4, 2014 at 2:59 am

      Go for it Melissa (if you really want to). ‘Member, it’s only paint :-)

  • Laurie
    March 3, 2014 at 8:33 pm

    Well I’m very impressed. I painted Sunday but only managed to prep and get the primer on and it’s only one small wall! You are knocking it out!

    The black really does look fabulous with the wood. I love that you are doing this because I would never have tried it or even thought of black as a choice for wall color but I really like how your room is looking with it.

  • Kristine
    March 4, 2014 at 2:55 am

    At least high ceilings, lots of windows and a fireplace are good nuisances to have. I ADORE the look of warm (almost orange-toned) timber against a dark colour like black or navy. Rockin’ it! So brave!

  • Tena
    March 4, 2014 at 6:56 am

    I see that you are using Benjamin Moore colors, but are you also using the actual paint? There are several rooms in my house that are on the “to do” list for painting this spring. Is there a difference in brand quality? Are some better for humid areas (like the bathroom) than others? Is priming always necessary? This girl needs help!

  • carrie @ brick city love
    March 4, 2014 at 10:04 am

    I almost put Black Beauty on my portico. Even bought a gallon of it. It looked a little too brown in direct sun for my project but I really liked it as a color. Excited to see it in your space!!

  • Clever Girl Reviews
    March 4, 2014 at 11:22 am

    WOW I’m loving it already. I’ve always wanted a black powder room :)

  • Natalie
    March 4, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    We just painted all of our interior doors black beauty! I love them! One downside is that you can’t see them at night. Ouch! hehe

  • sasa
    March 4, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    Love the black background:) <3

  • colleen
    March 4, 2014 at 9:24 pm

    Love the drama of the black. I have to add too: I saw this feature in the current Rue and the woodwork reminded me of your house! http://www.ruemag.com/magazine/issue/issue-twenty-six#108

  • julianna
    March 4, 2014 at 10:44 pm

    Do yourself a favor and invest in a platform ladder. So much easier than all the up-and-downs with a regular ladder. Plus, if you do any floor projects with drying time you can use it as a bridge to cross over.

  • alisa
    March 5, 2014 at 10:44 am

    agree with the platform ladder post… for all the painting you have down the road, I see this as a good investment.

    can’t wait to see the road you are going down… looks very amazing.

    Off topic, have you tried Stitch Fix yet? I saw an advertisement on your page, and am anxious to try it (mine is scheduled for May due to life’s complications). Just curious.

  • The Second Parlor, Painted Black | Making it Lovely
    March 5, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    […] color is Black Beauty, by Benjamin Moore in a matte finish. It’s a soft, warm black with more of a brown base than a blue one. I think […]

  • Shavonda@AHomeFullOfColor
    March 17, 2014 at 1:42 am

    I painted my front room Martha Stewart Francesca and I love it. The color you chose is gorgeous too. I’ll definitely have to remember it. Its such a rich charcoal tone. Just gorgeous.

  • Amy
    March 24, 2016 at 9:26 am

    What was the original color?

    • Making it Lovely
      March 24, 2016 at 9:28 am

      That’s black tinted primer beneath the swatches.

  • Bathroom Design Plans - Making it Lovely
    March 11, 2021 at 12:34 pm

    […] pine, and I am completely fine with painting that. The doors on the second and third floor are all black, and now the bathroom door is as well. The door trim, window trim, and medicine cabinet have all […]