Courteney Cox uses some of the trickiest paint tones in her living space – but this risky look is right on trend

The actress ventured to the dark side, and there's no better time to follow suit

Courteney Cox
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Courteney Cox is no stranger to the world of interiors. The Friends and Scream star recently celebrated the second anniversary of her home accessory line, Home Court, and often shares videos in her organic modern-style kitchen.

The living room, however, takes a different stylistic approach. Visible around 20 seconds into the video below, the space features a charcoal gray painted island and shelving unit, as well as gray stools with light wood legs.

Dark paint can be intimidating; it doesn't have the same demure undertones as its light counterparts. However, experts say that versatility is its superpower.

'Dark colors are bold and dramatic,' says Caesarstone's Head of Design, Mor Krisher. 'They can have within them so many different nuances, tones, and tactilities that give them different characters. They can be basic or sophisticated, daring or elegant, industrial or classic, traditional or modern.'

While Courteney has chosen to incorporate darker tones into her living room nook, dark paint is increasingly popular in the kitchen, with colored cabinets on the rise.

'Last year we saw a sharp increase in orders of dark kitchens with searches for grey shades up by 93 percent in six months,' says Tom Howley, Design Director at his eponymous company.

As a communal space that encourages culinary experimentation, it also serves as a room to make bold design choices.

‘Once upon a time, most kitchens were either painted white or were finished in natural wood,' Tom states. 'Now, kitchens are integral to the interior design of our homes, often influencing the style story in the rest of the property. Kitchens are evolving as large, multifunctional spaces where the whole family gathers to eat, socialize, and relax. Our design tastes influence the whole space, and as we are becoming bolder with our choices, dark kitchen designs are now taking center stage.’

For those with an affinity for some lighter hues in their common rooms, cabinetry can be softened with other textured accents, such as Courteney's charcoal and wood island stools.

Shop the Courteney-inspired edit below


Ready to try the trend? Browse some of our picks below.

Hannah Ziegler
News Editor

Hannah is Homes & Gardens’ News Editor, with a focus on celebrity style and entertainment content. She got her start in media as a digital editorial assistant at ELLE Canada, and has since written about lifestyle and culture for publications such as Nylon and i-D.

Her love of film is rivalled only by one with a great soundtrack, and she hopes to someday decorate a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen.