I love to see chocolate brown used in home decor.  I love the color on upholstered pieces, in rugs and linens, and on walls.  But painting a wall chocolate brown can be tricky.  Size, lighting, room's function - all have to be taken into consideration.

In my own home, the walls of my sun room are painted in chocolate.  I absolutely love it, and the dark color works beautifully since three of the room's walls are basically glass.  It never feels oppressive or dreary.  However, dark colors aren't always the best.  When I first moved into my house, the dining room was painted a fiercely dark shade of aubergine; and while it was very dramatic, it just sucked the light, and life, out of the room.  I had to immediately repaint it.  In that case, the dark color made me nuts.

Now, I've discovered this photo of a gorgeous dining room with walls done in beautiful, chocolate brown.  It also is dramatic, but blessed with an abundance of windows, there is nothing depressing about it.  No, far from it; I would love to spend time in this room.  See for yourself this striking room, designed by Washington DC designer, Skip Sroka of Sroka Design Inc.