Dress your home in chic Chanel black

Effortlessly stylish, the Little Black Dress has been a staple of women’s wardrobes ever since Vogue published fashion designer Coco Chanel’s groundbreaking illustration of a sleek black crêpe de Chine dress in 1926.

The dress was revolutionary not only in its elegance and versatility, but also in its use of the colour black, which until then had been associated with mourning in the western world. With one deft turn, Coco transformed black from a colour associated with funerals into something chic and elegant.

To harness the power of this dramatic hue in your own home, take inspiration from Chanel and let this colour play a starring role. Don't be daunted by walls adorned in black paint – not only are dark walls wonderfully atmospheric, they’ll also make your room feel more expansive, especially when balanced with a light coloured floor and ceiling.

When used as a statement hue, black adds play to neutral shades, especially crisp, clean whites like pearl and ivory. A little bit of paint goes a long way – you don’t have to use very much to create an impact.

Add warmth to black with layers of comforting textures – think knitted throws, cosy cushions and fluffy rugs in hues of charcoal and cream. For the finishing touch, add a vase filled with white camellias; Coco’s favourite flower.