Christine Quinn utilizes this risky paint tone to bring 'sophistication and style' to her closet space

Closets, or compact rooms in general, may seem like the last place to experiment with a cocooning dark paint hue – but if anyone can convince us otherwise, it's Christine Quinn.

It is perhaps fitting that the Selling Sunset agent, known for her bold fashion choices, has a dramatic space to store her favorite pieces – but nothing makes a statement quite as much as the black paint that adorns her walls and furniture. Though this is not a small closet, it is a reasonably compact room overall, so her dark paint choices may seem risky –  however, Quinn has mastered the color perfectly.

In her closet, she paired the black paint with light wooden flooring, mirrors, and an abundance of natural light (coming through the glass doors). The combination of which ensures the space stays on the right side of moody – and it's inspired us to flirt with black paint in our homes. 

Not every home has a closet space as spacious and enviable as Quinn's, but as mentioned, we can replicate her technique in other small spaces around our homes. Tash Bradley, a color psychologist and director of interior design at Lick, agrees. 

'Black is bold but it can look very sophisticated and stylish when done well. If you’re working with a small room, try color-drenching the walls in black, as this can actually add depth and give the illusion of space, so it’s a great choice for a small study, TV room, or downstairs bathroom,' she says.

Color drenching is not for the faint of heart, especially when working with such a dark tone, but Bradley explains that we can also look to black paint for a powerful accent hue. 

'You can introduce black paint in accents throughout your home. The areas that I recommend using black paint on are woodwork, so, for example, choosing a dark contrasting skirting can outline a room in a really beautiful yet dramatic way,' Bradley comments.

'This makes the room feel carefully designed, not overwhelming and adds detail. The contrast can also make the lighter walls feel brighter. Lick's Black 02 in eggshell is a great option for this, as it has a slight sheen. The eggshell finish is more durable and doesn’t mark as easily, so it's a great option.'

Tash Bradley

Tash is trained in color psychology and theory, she helps people around the world bring their dream decorating projects to life and utilize color to impact personal spaces, as well as overall lifestyle and wellness. Tash leverages her expertise in color psychology and theory, as well as interior design, to lead Lick’s design studio and curate the brand’s global paint and wallpaper offerings. To date, she has led 1,000+ color consultations for Lick clients, providing customers the confidence they need to create a home they’ll love.

Shop the Quinn-inspired edit

Decorating with black just got even easier. We're starting with these picks that will elevate every closet, bedroom, or entryway – the Quinn way.