No color palette is as simple and elegant as black and white. Able to be interpreted into as high-brow or accessible as we’d like, with as much complexity and flourish or basic minimalism as we desire, the combination is the perfect illustration of the phrase, “What’s simple is true.”
Regardless of our tastes, our style or the kind of life we live, a black and white color scheme in a home can reflect exactly who we are and what we love, and it’s easy as pie to update over time just by switching out one tertiary accent color for another.
Starting with the basics: a classic, timeless pattern like a chevron stripe (shown above) is one easy way to add a bold flourish to a room without screaming too loudly; it’s conservative without being stuffy. For the classic girl who loves her pearls, this print is perfection, and a perfect introduction into a black and white world.
For those who crave something a bit more ornate, scrollwork patterns always do the trick. Â Generally best used in small doses, these swirly, lovely lines hint at royalty and history; they’re particularly effective when contrasted closely with a drastically different pattern in the same colors, such as a ultra-thick black and white stripe on a wall behind it:
For the thoughtful and artistic homedweller who likes to contemplate the little details, illustrative line art like the design found on this Crate & Barrel mug provide a quirky kick to its surrounding space.
Designs like this imply intelligence and creativity — two things very likely possessed in spades by the woman who’s drawn to this look.
And finally, there’s the slinky, sexy, in-your-face effect of a fearless wash of black — say, on a wall like the one below, courtesy of the normally mild-mannered Martha Stewart (who knew?) — balanced with pops of white and an accent color for fun.
A black wall is not for shrinking violets or fans of subtlety and delicate overtures; applied with precision, though, it brings with it an unexpected sense of class and style.
Like peas and carrots, sand and sea, black and white go together as naturally as anything could, and yet they’re as versatile as can be. Â Although a one-size-fits-all mentality isn’t always stylish, this particular pair is a beautiful exception.
Photo credits: Castle Creek Designs, Target, Crate & Barrel and Martha Stewart Home
