Black is the new white: The design trend darkening Brisbane's finest homes

I was in primary school when I learnt a Brisbane life lesson the hard way: never, ever, sit on bitumen in summer.

Black gets hot. Science tells us that black absorbs light and generates heat, while white reflects it, so it makes sense that in a city that’s sunny, we like to surround ourselves with white.

Indeed, the trend that has taken Brisbane homeowners by storm in more recent years is the Hamptons style with its relaxed, light-filled, white interiors layered with neutrals and soft accents – the perfect foil to Brisbane’s relentless heat.

But amid the swathe of white houses, a new and rather unlikely colour is emerging from the shadows, winning over Brisbane homeowners with its timeless sophistication and versatility: black.

David Roberts, a creative director, found his house at Lansbury Parade, Ashgrove, painted a “weird shade of blue” when he moved in 12 years ago. He quickly set about making it “less feminine and more authentic”, painting it black outside as well as inside.

“To me it feels like a very Australian home. Sure there’s a lot of black but I’ve also got timber, a bit of white and some corrugated iron. It’s the palette of Australia; it has a very earthy feel, which is why it works so well,” he says.

“As far as living with it every day, it’s wonderful because everything else becomes twice as vibrant against black. We live across from a park and the black provides a beautiful frame for all of the greenery and the wonderful outlook we have.”

Now up for sale by auction this Saturday, Mr Roberts’ five-bedroom, three-bathroom renovated home is attracting huge interest from local buyers, agent Alex Rutherford of Place Estate Agents says.

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“We’ve had lots of inquiries on this one actually, from people who don’t want that vanilla or the homogenised property. This house is refreshingly unique with a sophisticated palette that really nails the inside, outside lifestyle,” she says.

In nearby Bardon, project manager Elitha Bouwer is selling her spectacular property at 30 Carmel Street. From the street, it presents as a classic, albeit large, Queenslander.

Inside, it’s a different story: an opulent show-stopper that brings black into the home and makes it the hero with custom moulded ceiling panel work, character moulded architraves and custom joinery.

Ms Bouwer had a clear vision when she bought it in a very tired state four years ago. She spent 14 months completely transforming the property into a sophisticated five-bedroom, four-bathroom, luxury open-plan home.

“I was inspired by the interiors of Ralph Lauren, by that bold but timeless drama – and I think it’s a style that really suits Queenslanders,” she says.

“Black is an amazing blank canvas – I’d argue it’s a better blank canvas than white. Black really provides a base to give a space life far better than white does … it’s almost like the perfect frame for whatever else is in the room.”

She says people should not shy from using black in their homes, especially in Brisbane.

“I think there’s more of a danger with not using enough black. When you don’t use it enough it looks flimsy,” she says.

“Yes, if you have everything black it can look dark and dreary but when you get the balance right and have the monochrome base, it gives you the most wonderfully diverse blank canvas that can work with everything, from very contemporary features and furniture, to properties with beautiful period details and Chesterfield leather couches.

“The devil is in the detail. Every bit of detail contributes to the overall look.”

Other fabulous homes embracing black in Brisbane:

181 Jubilee Terrace, Bardon

181 Jubilee Terrace, Bardon, creates drama with its use of black throughout. Photo: Supplied

This spectacular property on Jubilee Terrace with north-facing panoramic views manages to incorporate black in an elegant yet contemporary way, weaving it throughout different elements in the houses, inside and out.

It’s going to auction on Saturday, August 5, at 12pm. Agent: Nick Penklis, Space Property Agents Paddington.

44 Upper Cairns Terrace, Paddington

41 Upper Cairns Terrace, Paddington, features glossy black floors and feature walls. Photo: Supplied

This three-level architectural home offsets glossy black timber floors with soft shades of grey, stainless steel and black feature walls which recede into the background against 270-degree views of the CBD.

It’s for sale by negotiation. Agent: Glynis Austin, Glynis Austin Properties.