Black and White Color Combination Extraordinaire

“Black and White” by Three Dog Night makes a profound statement in many ways, but today it struck a black and white color combination extraordinaire chord.

black-white-foyer

Architectural Digest

I’m of the strong opinion that all color begins and ends with black and white.

Van Gogh

“Suffice it to say that black and white are also colors…
for their simultaneous contrast is as striking as that of
green and red, for instance.”

– Vincent van Gogh

black-white-benchTraditional Home

Put the two together and the black and white color combination extraordinaire takes command of design and space.

white-kitchen-black-floors

My Domaine ~ DISC Interiors

If you are contemplating going with a black and white décor but wonder about the absence of a pop of color, take a look at the following examples of black and white done right.

black-white-wallpaper-bedroom  Maura McEvoy for House Beautiful

black-white-color-palette

Williams Sonoma Home ~ PaperCity Magazine ~ Shabby Slips

black-white-bathroom

House Beautiful

Don’t confuse choosing the design darling color combination of black and white with boring, calculated, unimaginative or stale.

park-city-house-tour

Elle Decor

Selecting a black and white color palette clears the cobwebs of color confusion.

What?

Let me explain.

Have you ever been totally overwhelmed in the selection process or execution of color?

I’ve selected colors with the best of them, and I can testify to the fact too much of a good and colorful thing can confuse the living color out of me.

black-white-cole-and-son-malachite-wallpaper-octagon-wall-sconce-bathroom

Decor Pad

The places and spaces in our homes speak to us in either a whisper or a roar to the intent and result of our choices.

shawn_broaddus_2016_04_01_9999_9

Shawn Broaddus and Mike Hammersmith

Of interest is a recent article referencing how in business and everyday life we should always strive to be inspired, continually educated, and never lose sight of the fire in the belly.

Pulaski-black-chest-accent

Vice-love-canister

 

Jonathan Adler Vice Love Canister

Bolder Color Palette Framed Canvas Art PrintBolder Color Palette Framed Canvas Art Print

Mina Victory Luminecence Metallic Leopard Throw PillowMina Victory Luminecence Metallic Leopard Throw Pillow

Odd as it may seem, the color combination of black and white accomplishes these points.

black-white-CaracoleSimply Put – Caracole

Decoristas seem to never tire of studying new and inspiring design applications.

Inspiration is everywhere.

black-white-decor

Casa Vogue

Opera-Box-wallpaper

black-white-kitchenAtlanta Homes & Lifestyles

Building upon a standard of design is what keeps it relevant as well as timeless.

As decades go by, fads and trends fade from favor.

 

Duncan 1-Light Black Pendant and Rod with White ShadeDuncan 1-Light Black Pendant and Rod with White Shade

Does a certain period, style or color continue to strike your fancy, but you hesitate with the choice asking yourself the question, “Is this still used today?”

I think we all have.

Fear not.

Timeless to say the least, the presence of black and white in interior design and interior decorating choices proves as stunning today as it was sixty years ago.

Ebanista-Savelle-cabinet

Ebanista

Proven decorative ability is ever present when the design and decor color power duo is at play. A traditional decor favorite regarded as a contemporary darling and a modern marvel, black and white is a timeless color combination able to stand strong as the sole choice of color for a space.

This classic color combination choice removes palette doubt and eliminates any chance of the color combination extraordinaire burning out or fading away into decorating obscurity.

Foyer Thinking: Foyer Decor and Design

Talk of and moodboard creations for entryway and foyer decor and design has got me Foyer Thinking.  You know what they say about first impressions.  A stylish and stunning  foyer is guaranteed to make a fabulous and lasting first impression.

Traditional Home

What is the shelf life of your home decor?  I’m talking accessories, furnishings, accents, lighting fixtures, wallcoverings, flooring- the whole home decor enchilada.

Oak Hill Architects

Do you spot refresh, elegantly edit, or wipe the decor slate clean?  A foyer is a great space to do a little of all of it in. Taking flow and form into consideration lays the groundwork however,  I admire and appreciate a decorative curve ball- a step away from the expected.  It’s a visual treat to the most trained eye, and it keeps things interesting.

chic foyer decorRue Magazine

As I worked on the Foyer Thinking  Olioboard moodboard for a client presentation this past week, I began to feel the pangs of home decor change.

 Better Homes and Gardens

That’s me- a forward-thinking foyer thinking decorator who likes a good play on words.  Giving the client a myriad of options gave me my own myriad of ideas. Standard accessories usually include a mirror, well placed decorative table or floor lamp(s), and a place to hang your hat.  Artwork, architectural pieces, whimsical objects, accent seating, a rug or runner in pattern play- yes, please!   A foyer or entryway offers a welcoming glance -a preview of  your personal decorative and design show and tell.

 

As I find myself deep into seasonal updates, client moodboards, color and editing, decor refreshing seems to be hitting home… mine!  Thank goodness the major design and decor choices in this house continue to hold my attention.  Home decor “staples” are design and decor elements that anchor the space and reflect core tastes.   A sideboard in the kitchen one day may be the entertainment center in the den the next.  That’s the great attraction to great pieces.  I call them decorative chameleons. 

marble-top-sideboard (2)

Then & Now

sideboard-partners

The temptation to remodel, refresh and redo goes with the territory.  I have promised Dave we will start small (you know what they say about promises, they are made to be broken).

Wikipedia

A trip to the Hopefully Classic climate controlled storage unit for a personal shopping afternoon will soon be taking place.  Foyer thinking will do that.  I feel the need to take inventory, treasure hunt, shake things up a bit, and do a tad of editing from within.  You know what they say about first impressions!

I’m Not Quite Through Enjoying Fall Decor Just Yet

Fall decor confirms what I’ve known for sometime.

I like, no, I love this fall decor time of year.

Fall excites the senses through seasonal colors on parade, thread counts of warm and cozy fabrics, tastes of pumpkin, apple, cinnamon and spices, and pitch clear sounds floating through the air of a crisp fall evening.

Those of us who live for and love the fall season savor the season, knowing fall is best enjoyed when we keep calm and harvest on.

keep-calm-fall-harvest

Fall is the gateway to the season of warm colors, cool weather fairs and festivals, and home for the holidays celebrations.

diy-fall-scentsHouse Beautiful

I wait all year for this time of year to roll around and I want to enjoy the look of fall decor for as long as I can.

I’m adopting a stop and smell the cinnamon and apples attitude.

fall decorSouthern Weddings

Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decor ideas and decorations are in stores and magazines, but I remind myself to keep calm and harvest on.

I’m not quite through enjoying the beauty of fall decor just yet.

branch-light-fixture-dining-room-rustic-with-adirondack-antlers-birch-bark

Houzz

This space definitely got the natural elements works memo.

Stone masonry, white cedar logs, and birch bark veneers carry out the Adirondacks feel year round.




The spot on twig chandelier and stag horn candle holders emphasize the season and put the finishing touches on the rustic package.

rustic-chandeliers

Wildwood Branch Chandelier

You are good to go with nature inspired home decor pieces from September to spring.

Pasillas+Flared+Arm+Loveseat

Pasillas Flared Arm Loveseat

Spanish-style-chandelier

Balsimo 30″ Wide 8-Light Spanish Traditional Chandelier 

Copper cookware and home decor accents lend an element of warmth and distinction to stove and space.

Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper Chef’s Pan with Acorn Handle

Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper Chef’s Pan with Acorn Handle

John Derian’s Fall Frolic fall collection of digital notecards and party invitations has a vintage vibe.

The artist based them on 19th-century pieces from his own decoupage archive.

These fall frolic invitations are anything but boaring.

boar-john-derian

This time of year gives our seasonal home decor choices a permission slip signed go ahead- get cozy, relax, and stay awhile.

Using Metal Colors in Interior Design and Home Decor

Keeping late project hours tend to catch up with you, but inspiring images and finds prove a powerful motivator so here I am, at the keyboard, typing out what I hope is informative as well as inspirational information for using metal colors in interior design and home decor.

transitional home office Webber Coleman WoodworksWebber Coleman Woodworks

In order to keep my painter happy the air is turned to artic blast, the coffee is brewing, and the radio dial is set to his favorite classic rock station.

Traditional Home

“Heavy Metal” by Don Felder played this morning, and now it is stuck in my head.

Whittney Parkinson DesignWhittney Parkinson Design

The catchy tune and the on-trend metal parade gave me the idea for this using metal colors in interior design and home decor post.

Inspiration is everywhere, my friends.

gold-paint-swatch

 

taylor borsari industrial style kitchen cabinets Taylor Borsari

nickel-paint-swatch

Pursley Dixon Architecture kitchen

Pursley Dixon Architecture

Mihai Cork Metallic Wallpaper RollMihai Cork Metallic Wallpaper Roll

white-bathroom-brass-fixtures-marble-washstand

 Tamara Magel 

copper-mine-behr-ultra-paint-colors

gold-trunk-the-Brick-HouseThe Brick House

 kristen panitch interiors Kristen Panitch Interiors

pewter-mug-behr-ultra-paint-colors

kelley flynn interior design

Kelley Flynn Interior Design

Using metal colors in interior design and home decor adds depth, warmth, and sophistication to the feel of the space.

Color Duo: Black And White

The decorative darling color duo of black and white is as classic as it is sublime.

Oreo-cookie

Distinctive traits bring to mind another classic color duo of note, the Oreo cookie.

black and white

John Jacob Interiors

Both utterly delicious!

Chanel-tweed-suitsPinterest

There’s those who consider black and white to be nondescript, flat, and visually uninteresting.

Beautiful Black & White Canvas PrintsBeautiful Black & White Canvas Prints

Who would dare refer to the legendary Coco Chanel black and white suit collection as nondescript, flat, and visually uninteresting.

replacements-Domino

Domino – Photography by Meghan McNeer 

Black and white introduces a touch of luxury and classic elegance into a space.

Benjamin Johnston Design

Benjamin Johnston Design

Neutral to some spaces yet to others a palette focal point.

Jill Shevlin Design

Jill Shevlin Design

This never boring, always on trend color pairing stands up well as a decorative chameleon- a color foundation in which to design and decorate upon.

Estee Design

Estee Design

From classic traditional to modern to retro kitsch, black and white interiors, accessories and accents garner dramatic results in presentation.

Robert Kaner Interior Design

Robert Kaner Interior Design

James Dawson Interior Design

James Dawson Interior Design

I discovered a new level of cookie greatness over the Christmas holidays.

oreo-truffles

The easy and delicious Oreo Cookie Truffle takes the three ingredient recipe of Oreo, cream cheese and white chocolate to a whole new level.

Distinctive.

Decadent.

Delicious.

Like its color duo counterpart, it’s all in good taste.

Melanie Turner Interiors- Stan Benecki Homes

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

Be it together on a wall, chair, frame, fixture or in complementing contrast to each other in the space, the decorating darling color duo of black and white makes a classic color statement.

Love your style!