Designer Alyssa Colagiacomo reveals how she harnessed the power of black and added layers of elegance to transform a builder-basic, 800-square-foot Toronto condo into a sophisticated yet serene sanctuary.

How to Add Elegance

Serenity Now

Photography: Patrick Biller | DESIGN, Alyssa Colagiacomo, Alyssa Colagiacomo Interiors. LIVING ROOM PAINT, Dune White CC-70; CEILING PAINT, Simply White OC-117; ENTRYWAY PAINT, Overcoat CC-544; Benjamin Moore. Living room SCONCE, SOFA, blue CHAIR, Wayfair. RUG, FLOOR LAMP, West Elm. COFFEE TABLES, Everly Quinn. Faux shagreen SIDE TABLE, Cocoon Furnishings.

“When deciding on a colour palette for a room, focus on how you want that space to make you feel. For living rooms, I gravitate to calming tonal palettes over stark white – creamy ivories and greys that have lilac undertones are a favourite combination.”

Good Proportions 

“Choose the right-sized furniture. I chose a sofa with ample scale, which, strangely, makes the room feel bigger, while its sculptural curves break up all the straight lines. I echoed the curves in the tables and armchair because continuity feels elegant.”

Nice Touch

Photography: Patrick Biller

“Texture is another easy way to impart elegance. Velvet sofas are wonderful. as I find the pile absorbs light, adding dimension and shadow. This faux shagreen side table has a lively pebble surface that guests almost always want to touch.”

Table Talk

“I love bell-base tables in different sizes and heights, and I used them as coffee tables in the living area. They look amazing and are functional for moving around the room easily.”

Colour Burst

Photography: Patrick Biller

“I wanted to introduce a saturated colour. This deep-blue chair looks so lovely against the brass lamp and bone-inlay of the side table. Its sculptural element is a nice juxtaposition to their more delicate profiles, and the dark blue is a tonal link to the condo’s black kitchen.”

On Display

Photography: Patrick Biller

“Styling, to me, is just as essential as well-made furniture. It’s the finishing touch that uses design principles, such as scale and proportion, to make every accessory look intentional. I love groupings in odd numbers, one of the oldest tricks, but it works, especially when objects are of varying heights and sizes.”

How to Design with Black

Be Bold

Photography: Patrick Biller

“Use black all over if you have a smaller kitchen. It makes the kitchen feel grand and custom, while not overpowering it.”

Rethink Black

“Just as a living room needs a sofa and a bedroom needs a bed, every room needs black. It complements any palette. When used in a bright, colourful room, black emphasizes a palette’s zingy punch. In a space with soft colours, like the living room, black visually guides you through a space and keeps the room from feeling flat.”

Light Touches

Photography: Patrick Biller

“The black quartz has gorgeous light veining. Each accessory on the countertop was thoughtfully chosen with that in mind, and to bring in the finishes found throughout the condo – plaster white, brass, wood grain and black.”

Make an Entrance

“By painting the entryway black, it actually makes the space feel bigger. Black blurs the restrictions and corners of a confined space so your gaze keeps moving before landing on the gorgeous view of the neutral living room.”

Dress it Up

Photography: Patrick Biller

“Black walls are a great canvas for a statement piece, like this brass and crystal Blossom Mirror by Baker. The black allows it to become the focal point in the entryway.”

Go for Contrast

“I incorporated pops of contrasting colours and materials in the entryway in order to keep the use of black interesting. As well as displaying accessories, I updated the owner’s console table with a white Calacatta marble top for a bit of luxurious definition.”

All Natural

Photography: Patrick Biller | LITHOGRAPH, Berd Berner. FRAME, On the Wall Framing. SCONCE, OTTOMAN, Cocoon Furnishings. Cane CHAIR, France and Son.

“Black paint is powerful, strong and dominating. To keep it from feeling cold, mix in natural materials. I added artwork with a natural-wood frame and a cane chair to impart an organic edge.”

Balance of Power

“There are a bunch of black paints that have gorgeous grey, blue, green or purple undertones. Find the right one for your space and let the light bring out its beauty. Having said that, a dark, dramatic room needs light and contrast so it won’t feel dreary. Here, the living area breaks up the black.”