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Give Your Home an Edge With Matte Black

Freestanding bathtub with underside painted blackMatte black has become a staple in home design, but it’s not just showing up in light fixtures, faucets and cabinet hardware. This versatile and durable finish is popping up everywhere, from bathtubs to wainscoting.

“Matte black goes with many wood tones or paint colors, and blends well in any design aesthetic,” Normandy Designer Becca Ruggiero says. “It reads neutral, but it can be casual or trendy depending on how you use it. It feels more like a classic than a trendy option.”

When it comes to matte black in fixtures like faucets and handles, design versatility isn’t its only benefit. It doesn’t show fingerprints and smudges like other classic finishes such as chrome and polished nickel.

“Many clients often ask for something that’s not shiny because they’re raising kids or just have a very busy household and don’t want to be cleaning constantly,” Becca says. “A matte black finish will hide fingerprints and food smudges, which can be more visible with other finishes such as polished chrome.”

The key to successfully incorporating matte black is all about the application, according to Becca. “A combination of a simple white cabinet style and plain matte black hardware is very straight forward,” Becca says.Taupe kitchen sink with matte black and gold faucet “But if you choose a dressier cabinet design or a more decorative or larger piece of hardware — or textured or color tile — it can really elevate the design.”

Matte black can read traditional to modern and everything in between. “A light wood stain on something like rift-cut white oak with matte black feels more contemporary, while shaker-style cabinets with larger black knobs is more transitional,” Becca says.

The other metals you choose to pair it with can make the look more sophisticated. “Matte black is a universal color so you can pair it with shiny chrome, or brushed nickel, or a brushed gold finish for a nice contrast,” Becca says. “Kohler has some stunning combination-finish faucets with silver-black and gold-black.” But consider staying away from oil-rubbed bronze or titanium because they’re too close to black and don’t offer enough contrast.

“Matte black can be really sophisticated if you use it in the right application,” Becca says. “When it comes to neutral tones that go with anything, matte black is a great finish to have in your back pocket.”

Choosing finishes is just one small piece of your remodeling puzzle. If you’d like to meet with Becca to discuss more about your home remodeling project, schedule a free consultation. For updates on projects and to find more design inspiration, you can follow Normandy Remodeling on FacebookInstagramLinkedIn and Pinterest. We’ll even bring the latest in remodeling right to your email inbox, just sign up for our newsletter.

Home office in home addition with black matte wainscoting wall and matte black ceiling fan  Rift cut white oak kitchen with black painted hood  semi-frameless shower door with black handle

Blue kitchen island paired with white cabinets and walnut cabinets  Black kitchen sink

 

Zellige Tile: The Quiet Luxury Upgrade for Your Home Remodel

Ivory kitchen with mantle style hoodShifting your home design from lovely to luxurious is all about the little details. From the wood species of your cabinets to the material of your countertops, there are many opportunities to infuse the feeling of luxury into a new space. Zellige tiles can create this feeling in subtle but meaningful ways, from your bathroom to your kitchen.

“Zellige tile features a wave-like, shimmery design where no two of the glazed tiles are quite the same,” Normandy Designer Abby Osborn says. “The unique designs offer texture and interest to any room and fit in any style.”

The original zellige tiles have their roots in Morocco, where each delicate terra cotta tile is made by hand to develop its unique undulations that catch the light. “Most zellige tiles you find today are commercially made ceramic tiles, which are much less fragile than the original terra cotta versions,” notes Abby. “But whether they are handmade or commercially produced, they all share that same undulating surface that catch the light so beautifully.”

A big part of what makes zellige tiles so charming are their variations. “Zellige tiles have a handmade look to them, with each individual piece having variations in color and differently styled edges,” notes Abby. “One piece doesn’t tell the whole story. Whether you’re looking to use them for a backsplash or shower application, we recommend laying out a wide variety of tiles when making your selection. That way, you can see the look of the full spectrum.”

Many zellige tiles are best used in vertical applications like shower walls or kitchen backsplashes, less so for floors where it can sometimes be slippery.

“Zellige tile is one of those wonderful options that adds a little bit of interest without being too busy or demanding,” Abby says. “It can add a little bit of glimmer and texture to any room, no matter your design aesthetic.”

There’s a lot more to a successful remodel than finding the right tile. Set up a time to talk with Abby about your ideas and concerns for your home, and together you can come up with a solution that checks all the boxes. If you’re still in the pre-planning phase, you can find inspiration any time on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok, or sign up for our newsletter to get updates on projects, tips, and trends, delivered right to your inbox.

Walnut open shelves  Zellige tile in shower

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