Decorating
Decorating: How to Elegantly Decorate With Black and White
Monochrome has enduring appeal because of its elegance and power. Find out how to work it to best effect
Monochrome is such a bold look, but that doesn’t mean it can’t do subtle and elegant, too. With simple, bespoke touches and a measured attitude towards your use of black and white, you can make a home feel calm, collected and bang on trend. From dramatic to more restrained monochrome schemes, be inspired by these different approaches to styling this look.
Frame black and white prints
Who better to rock the monochrome look than Coco Chanel? I love these pictures, and they work so well with the geometric cushions and rug. Framed prints can be really affordable and you can go to any good home store for the frames if your prints are a standard size. Keeping the walls brilliant white gives a gallery feel and stops the blacks from being oppressive. The combination of different geometrics and patterns gives an eclectic feel that prevents this living room feeling too contrived.
Who better to rock the monochrome look than Coco Chanel? I love these pictures, and they work so well with the geometric cushions and rug. Framed prints can be really affordable and you can go to any good home store for the frames if your prints are a standard size. Keeping the walls brilliant white gives a gallery feel and stops the blacks from being oppressive. The combination of different geometrics and patterns gives an eclectic feel that prevents this living room feeling too contrived.
Add a single splash of colour
Don’t feel you have to stick to black and white alone in a monochrome scheme – bright colours can really bounce off this look. I love the bold acid yellows and how they set off this stunning geometric rug design. The border on the stairs and the dark handrail tie this scene together perfectly.
Don’t feel you have to stick to black and white alone in a monochrome scheme – bright colours can really bounce off this look. I love the bold acid yellows and how they set off this stunning geometric rug design. The border on the stairs and the dark handrail tie this scene together perfectly.
Take a subtle approach
Monochrome doesn’t necessarily mean geometric, which often springs to mind when you think of the term. This calm living room shows an altogether more subtle approach. I love the use of contrasting black piping on the sofa – it really brings strength to the otherwise pale piece, and stops it from fading into the white wall behind. The clean lines also work brilliantly with the framed artwork above.
On a practical note, darker piping on pale furniture is a good way of stopping the fabric from looking grubby with use.
Monochrome doesn’t necessarily mean geometric, which often springs to mind when you think of the term. This calm living room shows an altogether more subtle approach. I love the use of contrasting black piping on the sofa – it really brings strength to the otherwise pale piece, and stops it from fading into the white wall behind. The clean lines also work brilliantly with the framed artwork above.
On a practical note, darker piping on pale furniture is a good way of stopping the fabric from looking grubby with use.
Tone down with brown and cream
The monochrome look can be softened by going for chocolate and biscuit shades. Dark woodwork is an effective way of adding drama to a space, and here, the dark window frame and floor look striking against the biscuit wall, while the sofa pulls the scheme together. The introduction of the turquoise cushions stops this scene from feeling completely monochromatic for a lighter look.
A word on dark woodwork: it is not very forgiving, so don’t get overzealous with the vacuum cleaner, as chips will reveal the light undercoat beneath. It will also show up dust much more than lighter woodwork.
The monochrome look can be softened by going for chocolate and biscuit shades. Dark woodwork is an effective way of adding drama to a space, and here, the dark window frame and floor look striking against the biscuit wall, while the sofa pulls the scheme together. The introduction of the turquoise cushions stops this scene from feeling completely monochromatic for a lighter look.
A word on dark woodwork: it is not very forgiving, so don’t get overzealous with the vacuum cleaner, as chips will reveal the light undercoat beneath. It will also show up dust much more than lighter woodwork.
Make a brave statement
This runner design in stone really is a brave statement. Its striking curves, colours and positioning make it the focus of the room. If this is a bit too strong for you, you could go for a more traditional pale stone tile, laid on the diagonal, but then introduce a dark marble cabochon in between the larger tiles. Personally, I love this design. The curves of the contrasting pieces make it fun but super stylish.
This runner design in stone really is a brave statement. Its striking curves, colours and positioning make it the focus of the room. If this is a bit too strong for you, you could go for a more traditional pale stone tile, laid on the diagonal, but then introduce a dark marble cabochon in between the larger tiles. Personally, I love this design. The curves of the contrasting pieces make it fun but super stylish.
Experiment with accents
Rugs and feature walls are a great way to introduce monochrome into your home. Not only do they have real impact, these more temporary accents can easily be swapped out if there’s another must-have trend on the horizon. Here, the black and white is paired with Scandinavian-inspired wood tones, which add warmth to the scheme.
Discover how to work the Scandi palette of wood and monochrome
Rugs and feature walls are a great way to introduce monochrome into your home. Not only do they have real impact, these more temporary accents can easily be swapped out if there’s another must-have trend on the horizon. Here, the black and white is paired with Scandinavian-inspired wood tones, which add warmth to the scheme.
Discover how to work the Scandi palette of wood and monochrome
Invite black into the bathroom
If you can get some warm lighting into a bathroom, then a dark colour scheme can give you a real five-star luxury feel. I love the dark bath surround here, which makes the white interior of the bath look so clean and calm. The pale stone floor breaks this room up and keeps it looking inviting rather than intimidating. The white accessories work really nicely, too, and that glimpse of hot pink from the flower shows how well a dark room can take a splash of colour.
Be inspired by more creative radiator ideas
If you can get some warm lighting into a bathroom, then a dark colour scheme can give you a real five-star luxury feel. I love the dark bath surround here, which makes the white interior of the bath look so clean and calm. The pale stone floor breaks this room up and keeps it looking inviting rather than intimidating. The white accessories work really nicely, too, and that glimpse of hot pink from the flower shows how well a dark room can take a splash of colour.
Be inspired by more creative radiator ideas
Set the scene with dark stairs
Staircases make the perfect gallery space, and framed black and white images offer you and your guests a great excuse to linger on the stairs looking at an array of meaningful memories. The dark carpet is what really ties this luxurious look together. It brings out the line of the handrail, and the darker tone border that runs down each side adds elegance.
TELL US…
Are you planning to go black and white for 2015? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Staircases make the perfect gallery space, and framed black and white images offer you and your guests a great excuse to linger on the stairs looking at an array of meaningful memories. The dark carpet is what really ties this luxurious look together. It brings out the line of the handrail, and the darker tone border that runs down each side adds elegance.
TELL US…
Are you planning to go black and white for 2015? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Just the odd cushion here and there can bring a little monochrome magic into your room design, and in this case it works brilliantly. With a white-painted wood floor and French-style headboard in black, this bedroom gives a quirky nod to monochrome without feeling too chilly. Bringing in pale grey really helps retain some warmth, and this can be a good way to make this dramatic contrasting palette work in a room where cosiness is key.