HELP: BLACK TRIM

I am regularly approached for "a word" of design advice. What would YOU do in this and that case?

This is not a rare occurrence and as flattering as it is to be asked, giving advice for a space you usually have not seen is at best tricky.

Hence, this column: 

I will post  general advice in answer to non site-specific questions I have been asked. 

You may participate, of course. 

That would be so much fun. 

Just keep it relatively general, if you could. 

LES MOULURES NOIRES

Monika:  I would like to paint the trim in my apartment black. What are the rules if any? What other shade could I choose so as to make a statement but not go overboard?

"The rule is there are no rules" as they say; just choices and good editing. With black trim, one has to be careful not to overdo it and the design of a room with black trim has to be in sync with the design statement such a choice makes.
1) if you want a light room, restrict the black paint to the trim, even a lot of trim but be careful that the wall color stays a light neutral.

2) in any case, coordinate furnishing and accessory colors so as to keep them to a relatively monochrome palette.

3) To make a BIG statement, keep the walls in total contrast: black trim on white or cream walls. Modern even in a traditional setting.

4) with bright or saturated color on the walls, be careful to keep the rooms from being too crazy. Some bright colors can make a great look in a hall or kitchen, for example, but keep other bright colors in the space to just one or 2. No one wants to LIVE at the Cirque du Soleil.

If you are not quite convinced that you like black trim after all, you may want to consider a safer choice: just a few shades darker than the walls, but not very dark nor black.

To satisfy your wish for dark moldings, without making too big a contrast, you might want to paint the trim and the walls dark.

The exact opposite to the black trim on light walls would look something like this. 

What do you think? is this a better option for you?

images decorpad, marie claire maison, nestingblog, design crisis, martha stewart 

If you have a topic you may want me to analyze or any design question you would like answered, let me know at un petit commentaire below. It would be so much fun for me to put my 2 cents in. 

au revoir.