Remember the old joke: What’s black and white and read all over? Although that joke, along with its punch line, the newspaper, as well as black and white television, may all be obsolete, the fashion cache of black on white and vice versa is never out of style. Like the little black dress, this distinctive combination reeks of sophistication.
On ABC recently, the classic black taffeta dress worn by Princess Diana at her first appearance with Prince Charles, fetched $335,000 at a London auction. Classics like Audrey Hepburn and Princess Diana have encouraged our love affair with black and white through their elegance of style which resonates into home decor. Home fashion’s recurring appetite for the clear-cut distinction of black and white decorating is back in style. One reason is a growing taste for classic modern style, which originated in Europe in the 1930s. Black and white provides an ideal complement for the clean lines of modern furnishings.
Another reason, however, is the versatility of black and white. Perfect as it is for contemporary rooms, it also adds clarity and sophistication to more traditional surroundings.
Sonata, a graceful damask from the Sarong collection by Jaima Brown Home, proves the timelessness of black and white. This pattern provides an unobtrusive backdrop for furnishings and architectural details, but becomes increasingly interesting in close-up. It makes an especially grand entrance of a two-story foyer, for instance, where it connects the décor of the first floor with the hallway and rooms above.
Like the little black dress, black and white décor is comfortable in any surrounding –formal to casual, vintage to cutting edge, urban penthouse to country cottage and everything in between.
The combination of black and white is also right for any room, by itself or accented with color –from bright to subtle. In kitchens and halls, black and white walls, ceilings and/or checkerboard flooring present the perfect counterpart to black appliances, white beadboard while also accenting colored walls for any room.
Black and white in a hall makes an easy transition into adjoining rooms. And don’t count out the drama black and white brings to a kitchen, living room, dining room, bedroom and master bath. In the latter, the contrast of a positive/negative effect works especially well.
Using a black and white awning stripe not only complements any other pattern, but also, installed vertically, makes a short room seem tall, or, installed horizontally like in this bathroom, broadens the vista of the smallest of rooms.As Mitchell Owens states “Patterns give any room a graphic punch, but few do it more boldly than stripes—they’re clean, crisp, simple, and effortlessly glam.” Especially true for black and white stripes. The only decisions you need to make are vertical versus horizontal, wide versus narrow, colorful versus muted, and hand-painted versus wallpaper.
The timelessness of black and white makes an instant statement no matter how little or how much you use!
Images via:elledecor.com;jaimabrownhome.com;crateandbarrel.com;katespade.com;contemporaryflooring.com
