As you can imagine, even when I go out for dinner I check out my surroundings and get totally distracted by great interiors. It was no exception when we went to Colborne Lane for my boyfriend’s birthday a little while ago. It was hard to be distracted from the great food, not to mention rare, attentive service, but I was in love with the dark alchemy of this space. The walls are primarily black but the strong accents of aged wood and mad-scientist-inspired glass fixtures keep it from feeling somber. A tufted banquette along the outside walls of the dining room tie all the tones together in a veriagated striped upholstery.

That’s the great thing about restaurants and hotels – you can get inspired by different styles and see what turns you on without picking up a paint brush or hiring a designer. It may even be cheaper than making a mistake at home……unless you’re paying for dinner.