When someone mentions a dark background my mind immediately goes to Amish black, but honestly, dark can be any thing that is not light. I was thrilled when I discovered that a royal purple could be a dark background and it changed the whole appearance of the pattern and final quilt. Do you recall the craze a few years back to use cheddar as a background? Some stunning results.
So take the leap and leave the white/cream behind for a quilt now and again and enjoy the results. I see that many of you have already.