There's something about the combination of black and white that oozes sophistication and easy elegance. It doesn't go out of date so why is it not that common? Methinks it's because people shy away from using black, as they mistakenly assume the result will be too dark, but that all depends on the finish. Here are some tips on how to make a monochrome palette work in your home.
The trick when using black and white is to contain the black, i.e., decide in advance, room by room, whether you are going to use it as a finish (for paint, wall tiles or flooring for instance) or for your furniture and accessories.
In many ways a monochrome scheme makes life very simple, because whenever you face a color choice, the options are somewhat narrowed. But on the other hand, the number of finishes available is endless. And that's where you can really make your monochromatic scheme work for you!
Glossy black tiles, although they are black in color, are still light and bright thanks to their stunning reflective surfaces and act like a mirror reflecting light back into the room.
Pair a black tiled wall with white floor tiles and your space will open up rather than shrink. Do it the other way around and the result will be the opposite!
If using lots of black, cleverly mixing textures ensures a tactile vibrancy. Create a perfect balance with pale injections and even a little color - blue tones works well as you will often find indigo tones within blacks. Or glam it up with gold.
In this living room, with no color to contend with, it is easy to experiment with a mix of shiny leathers, glossy furniture and shimmering details like the glass candelabra. Sheer curtains allow the light to pour in, while the dark leather sofa, as well as the brown leaf design on the rug, adds definition to the pale scheme.
Layering textures creates depth and adds interest. This can be achieved by using a variety of fabrics or by ensuring accessories offer differing textures, gloss, pattern and depth.
Piled-up cushions, for example, softens stark tones.
Accents of chic black give the scheme definition and create a look that's stylish as well as serene.
If you choose to go with a matt black, like the matt black chair or table pictured above, then offset it with something pale like a rug or the chairs here, and introduce some shine into the mix, with a shiny floor in this case. It's all about balance and consistency.
What do you think? Do you have a monochromatic theme to a room? Send us a photo at blog [at] bemz [dot] com.
Credit: Elle Decoration UK, Oct 2010 issue; Photos: Livingetc and Bemz
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