Life is not Black & White

But black and white decor can look pretty good from time to time!  Apparently the contrast of black and white is super hot right now.  Some good, some bad.  Personally I couldn't live in a space that's just black and white.  This girl needs some color but let's explore, shall we?

I've always loved this entry way by Rob Southern.  The high gloss walls are stunning. 

Robert Couturier designed this living room.  The room dividers are really cool but I don't think I could live in a room like this. 

WOW. That's quite a wild backsplash.  Black and White. Chevron. Trend alert. By Anne Marie Midy. 

This is monochromatic but I love all the textures: Furs, woods, twigs. Love it. 

I am obsessed with what this painting might be.  Also, the shades of black, white and grey add many layers to this cool but comfortable looking moment. 

So yeah, theres my view on Black and White interiors.  I think the way to accomplish a successful one is to make sure it has many layers, and textures are key.  Add a little fur in there, some raw unfinished woods, and a high gloss piece of furniture or painted walls.  Or just add a splash of color and go crazy with it!

Alicia B. 

Black and white and awesome all over.

To continue my interest/love in black and white interiors, here is a nice collection of more gorgeous b&w rooms. My apartment is full of browns blues, yellows and greens so this is a nice little fantasy for me.

LOVING this black and white splatter wallpaper made by Hinson. Black and white looks great with that wooden cricket table too. By Tom Scheerer.

EH to the bedspreads; just not my style. BUT I do enjoy a flashy pop of color like that turquoise chair. This dark grey paint is gorgeous and even makes the radiator look pretty! By RJ Thornberg from Point Click Home.

From the late and great Metropolitan Home, I love this dining room by Kelly Hoppen. Zebra rug, yup. Black painted floor, mmhmm. Black and white photographs? SCORE.

I love the drama of this staircase and the pop of bright yellow in the wing chair.

I saw this on Cup of Jo (via Lonny mag) a few days ago. This is the bathroom for the uber glam J Crew on Madison Ave on the Upper East side (where I love to shop). The vertical stripes are very bold, but if you look closer there are many beautiful details: the mouldings, the little ledge with frames on it, and the scalloped mirror. What a simple way yet creative way to make a small bathroom more exciting.

This mostly white kitchen from House Beautiful has wonderful pops of black. The black tiles help to frame out the cabinetry and counters.

Carleton Varney, in true Dorothy Draper style, uses the black and white vertically striped wallpaper in this sweet dramatic front hall. Also, check out the zebra on the stairway.

I know this isn't TECHNICALLY black and white, it's chocolate and white but at first glance, it could be right? This Rob Southern (adore) interior from Clover Mag is traditional but so fun and youthful. The wall covering is actually chocolate and white crewelwork--isn't it AMAZING? I'm just in love with this whole house.

Isn't this fun? I think I may start to incorporate a little graphic black and white-ness into my apartment. I came to New York with NOT ONE piece of black clothing, and look at me now ( I own lots of black now)! Sort of kidding but really, color looks really bright and fun against a more monochromatic background, yes? Black and white can be super dramatic and glam too!

Alicia B.

Black and White amazingness in The Hamptons

Black and white has been a huge part of my life all of a sudden. I'm having a black and white photography show that I mentioned yesterday and I've falling IN LOVE with black and white interiors. It all started with this S. R. Gambrel house on the Hamptons that is different shades of black, white and grey with little pops of color here and there. I love the contrast with the classic elements in the house.

Check out the window frames painted in black; it really makes them stand out. I love the super traditional gilded mirror with the other more structured elements.

I'm not sure what that chair is doing there but I am LOVING the ebonized headboard and the black and white pillows.

Woo, all that travertine marble is making my head spin with delight. I love it.

The living room is so beautiful. The greys, blacks, and whites are very nice but the reason this all works is the pop of red in the lampshades and the greens which you'll see in the next image.

As a color girl, I LOVE how these colors pop in this neutral but NON beige base.

Aren't these chandeliers fun?

The main reason that I fell in love with this home is the kitchen. I love the graphic quality of this floor and the tiles on the wall. The benches and the rustic table read a little country (NOT a bad thing) and the floor makes it look more modern.

See what I mean about the graphic quality of the kitchen? I'd DIE to have this oven but this floor is like Escher came in and did a little art project on the floor. I usually hate oven hoods but this one is so impressive here with the pottery on the shelves against the black subway tile background.

I started this post out as a collection of great black and white interiors but I clearly changed course and couldn't stop looking at these pictures again once I started. I think these are a great example of a neutral not having to be a boring beige but a graphic exciting and surprising backdrop of creating something wonderful in an old home.

Alicia B.