Modern Gothic: nine of the best black homeware and furniture pieces
The sun may be shining, but it’s black in our hearts. For modern adopters of this gothic look, though, things have taken a more elevated, glossy turn – think coloured glass, lacquer and patent-leather finishes that reflect light and add drama. There’s also a growing trend for using black on more curvaceous forms, softening its tougher connotations and adding a little comfort to the dark side.
‘Canopy’ ceiling light, Francesco Rota for Oluce
First released in 2009, this pendant has become something of a design classic. At Milan Design Week, Oluce presented it in a larger size with a glossy black lampshade that’s sure to attract attention. From approx £1,440, loriadesign.co.uk
‘Cross Leg’ chair, Magnus Long
You might recognise the silhouette of this chair since it’s part of Magnus Long's Cross Leg family of furniture for The Conran Shop. A wide, shell-like seat perches above slimline steel legs, making it appear to float above the ground. £2,895, theconranshop.com
‘Plyn’ vase, Faina
Inspired by the movement of water, this vase is ideal for those who want to inject a little black into their home. Called ‘Plyn’ which means fluidity in Ukranian, each vase is handblown using the ancient Ukrainian glass-working technique of gutnyts. £1,138, victoriayakusha.com
‘Niamh’ mirror, Nicholas Devlin
Tapping into black’s darker, gothic tendencies, the ‘Niamh’ mirror by Nicholas Devlin is framed by polyurethane foam and plaster spikes with an epoxy coating that looks as though it is dripping down the wall. Approx £7,575, objectivegallery.com
‘Toad’ side table, Arthur Vallin
Rounded yet robust, the carefully considered form of the ‘Toad’ side table makes it a sophisticated choice that’s worth the price tag. It’s made from black lava stone which is a slightly softer take on the black trend. Approx £7,980, studiotwentyseven. com
‘Abi’ armchair, Christophe Delcourt
Crafted from sturdy oak or walnut and cushioned with supple leather, the ‘Abi’ armchair by Christophe Delcourt is the epitome of luxury seating. It’s shown here with brushed black oak and 'Sierra’ leather. From approx £3,170, vanrossum.eu
‘1/1/1’ table, 6:AM Glass
This chunky table made its debut at Gallery Funi’s exhibition, ‘Glass Transfigurations’, a duo solo show by Jochen Holz and 6:AM Glassworks that explored the potential of the material. Each of these tables has been handcrafted from glass and Carrara marble in Murano to create one-of-a-kind pieces. £4,000, galleryfumi.com
‘Dol’ table, AE Office
AE Office designers drew on the organic, rocky shapes they saw while living on the volcanic island of Jeju for their latest furniture series, ‘Dol’. Made from cork, this coffee table can also be purchased with a matching armchair for ultimate cohesion.
Approx £2,395, aeoffices.com
‘Moonrock’ rug, Timorous Beasties
The kaleidoscopic pattern and swirling mix of greys and blacks in Timorous Beasties’s rug brings an entrancing, tactile look to any floor. £2,300, timorousbeasties.com
