Would this coffee table clash with the rest of our room?

Question

Hey everyone. I'm in a bit of a color scheme quandry. My girlfriend and I currently have three of these bookcases lining one wall of our living room:

http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=836264

We've both always like the black finish and preferred the bookshelves to a home entertainment piece. However, we're now looking into a new couch and coffee table and we're having trouble pairing everything together.

The room will consist of the aforementioned bookshelves, a red accent chair, a sofa and the coffee table. We both really like this sofa from West Elm:

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODf554&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1FRNSOF&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1FRNSOF

However, the coffee table they suggest with it, while stylish and simple, is a dark shade of brown we're afraid will clash with the bookshelves:

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODf553&cmsrc=rel&stor

Answer 1

You definitely have a great contemporary style going. I like your style of choice and I'd have the same concerns. I think that almost dark color would tend to clask with the black bookcases. One option...Have you thought about painting the coffee table black? You could go ahead and get it. Then if you then think it clashes, just paint it black so it looks the way you want it to look.

Black normally goes with everything, but since the color is almost but not quite black, it makes it look a little off.

Or if it is wood you could take it to a professional wood finisher and have it finished in a finish similar to an antique Windsor chair black finish.

Answer 2

I am almost positive it won't clash, because neautrals go with neutrals. In fact, the brown will add more warmth to the black, so that it won't look too dark and un-cozy. Go for it! what can you lose?

Answer 3

Black and brown are fine. I mix black with cherry and mahogany. It adds some warmth to the black. I've also mixed black with natural red oak. It all works.

Answer 4

go for it it wont clash