Crossing over to the dark side

Morning, I was reading Architectural Digest in the middle of the night (couldn't sleep so was sure it would send me off instantly since the interiors are so uptight and dull) when in fact it did the opposite. Most of the interiors are dull and boring and co-ordinated and uptight and so just so, BUT one stood out.  Jonathan Adler & Simon Doonan's new summer pad (which I previewed a little while back) was a breath of fresh air. Simon actually made my laugh out loud in the article as they decided to paint the outside of the building black (yay hay to that) which apparently got the whole island talking, with one neighbour likening the result to Darth Vader's coffin! Its funny the effect black has on people, its such a phenomenal life changing colour (once you've converted there is no going back) but when you suggest it to people there are often sharp intakes of breath and comments like 'wouldn't it feel too depressing' or even worse  'gothic'. I have to take alot of medication when the gothic word comes up (hence the whisky in the handbag) medicinal you know! Jonathan and Simon spent time in Japan and saw how beautiful charcoal coloured structures looked melding seamlessly with nature. For me it was the trip to Amsterdam and the continual trips to NYC that inspired me to paint the outside black. Now I'm not suggesting you all paint your exteriors black (amazing if you did) rather I am suggesting (and its only a suggestion) to experiment with pushing boundaries. Paint something dark, an alcove, a door, a room something and see how transformative it is. It makes you happier and skinner (bit like wearing dark clothes). Talking of skinner off to pound the streets, have ditched yoga this week haven't got the energy to spend god knows how many minutes going into some stretch or other. Run full pelt, get sweaty, shower, coffee, eggs, morning sorted!