Tags
chandelier, Dining room, entry, foyer, Furniture, high end design, Home & Garden, interior design, Light, light fixture, luxury interiors, Textile
I have been pondering so much lately – the outside of my house because of the nice weather, but also a few rooms in my house, which led me to look for some inspiration. Spring always brings on new projects for me – I just get the itch!!
I think dark and light rooms are very smart looking when done right. I also like them infused with a “pop” of another color to prevent them from looking to sterile or serious. Here are some pictures that I have found interesting for one reason or another (but some could use a 3rd color) :
My floors have gotten a little worn, which I like because it gives credence to the house being old, but I do like dark and glossy!
Love the black wall! I’m not sure if I’m bold enough to do this though…
I always like chairs that have multiple fabrics; they are just more interesting.
Believe it or not, this is a project that you can do yourself and here’s why: you staple gun the fabric, but then you hot glue trim over it. Note the seat where this is done.
I really like this room because the rug is such a statement, although I’m not sure if I would have used the fabric on the chairs. I also like the gold throughout.
Very pretty and crisp bedding. Here I think the gold on the bench sticks out a little too much and fights with the mirror and lamp.
An unusual way to display artwork in this (slightly masculine) modern office.
Chairs literally split in half with upholstery!
This dining room has a coastal feel despite an empire chandelier and traditional furniture. I love, love, love the clam shell, although I hope it is fake because I don’t like the idea of sea creatures being booted out of their homes for the sake of design 😦
Love the rug, valances, bolster pillow, lamps and mirrors behind them. I might need to open my mind, but I am not fond of mixing metals, although I have seen it in a couple of pictures. The brass lamp and picture frame seem contrary to the lamps and the nail head trim on the nightside tables.
Again, using mirrors behind lighting – this time chandeliers that are used instead of nightside lamps.
With so much white here, it’s nice to see the rug have so much texture and such bold artwork. Artwork is something that I still need, so I may try to emulate the large one!
Just love the molding here!
Love the zebra rug! I found an amazing 9’10” x 13′ black and white rug for $320, which I’ll post on my sidebar! I’m thinking of using it for my office 🙂
Gold + Black + White = LOVE!
Another interesting rug…
Such an interesting ceiling treatment. Although such a pain to paint the ceiling, and so many leave it unfinished, it should be addressed with paint at a minimum and even molding.
My living room ceiling is calling my name, but my arms do NOT want to do it 😉 To those who go to the gym: forget the gym; work out out home and see RESULTS in your home and your body!! At least that’s how I justify it.
Putting up chair rails is super easy and paint a different color below for maximum impact.
Although I usually abhor white walls, here is one that looks really good with the addition of smart black frames picking up the black pieces in the room.
This cabinetry is my inspiration for my closet, although I’m not sure if I will go with the black. I love the pilasters and molding! When I finally address my closet, you can bet I blog about it because you know I will do it myself!
And a mirror again behind a lamp! I think I will need to do this in at least one room in our house.
With the nice weather, I hope everyone has been able to get out and enjoy it!
I wish I lived here!!! WOW!
Great ideas for great looks and great arms. I need all of that but not sure I have the muscles to do it. I enjoy all the ideas and possibilities you always present in your posts
Joy
LOVE the black and white, and black and gold together, as well.
My Dad and his wife have a black and white room, black tables white furniture. I did like the bedroom but the other pictures remind me of Loki from Star Trek.
You lost me at Loki 😉
The chairs that are split in half remind of Loki’s face!

Ohhh!!! As soon as you said the chairs split in half, I knew EXACTLY who you were talking about!! Hahaha!!! That is so funny!
Stunning. I really love that foyer! I have black & white marble in the foyer with the black banister & would so love to do the stairs in that glossy black, but with a dog… you know?
I love your blog & really appreciate how you point out the details in the photos. Sometimes I see something & really like it but can’t quite put my finger on what exactly makes it special. You have a great eye.
I adore black and white marble!! I have referenced it in previous posts about how timeless it is for flooring – it just never goes out of style and always looks so classically rich!!
Yes, I completely concur with the stairs! I think that’s why I envy them so. Mine used to look so pristine, but then my 4 dogs did a number on them 😉 Completely worth it though! Thank you for the compliment too!
Love the displays of art work, especially on the shelves. A lot of interesting visuals going on in these rooms.
I agree that the small amount of color really warms the room. The photos with touches of pink or gold are stunning. Of course I’m a gardener at heart, so any picture with a classically arranged vase of flowers rocks my boat!
I read an article that said flowers, greenery and/or fruit is the “must have” item in high end professional design photos, so you have a good eye! Once I read that and started paying attention, it does make a world of difference!
Thank you! I have living plants in most rooms in the house and flowers whenever possible. Since plants are always changing and growing, they keep rooms interesting. They also bring nature in from the outdoors.
I’m enjoying your blog.
I love all the pictures you chose, there is something just stunning about black&white done right. I painted a wall black in my old house against the advice of everyone I told what I was about to do. What do you know? everyone loved it when they saw it. If you are hesitant to do a whole room, try just a wall!
You are SO brave!! It is such an intimidating color! That must have felt great to be so right, when everyone said it would be so wrong 😀 it is such a strikingly beautiful color in design!
Haha, its kind of fun to be right but there are so many times when I am so, so, so wrong! so I try to hold back when I get it right. At the end of the day its just paint, a lot of work but pretty cheap and easy to fix!
Its fun to be right but I am so wrong other times so I have to hold back from gloating 🙂
The great thing about only painting one wall is its $15 bucks in paint and no more than two hours of your time if your idea tanks!
I love the art displays, casually propping art against the wall, multiples on top of eachother. Just switch a different one to the front every month for a totally different feel!
I hadn’t even thought of that! It really does change the mood of a room!
I also pass off my kids’ “masterpieces” as art (matted and framed), so it’s nice to keep them inspired too 😉
Lots of great ideas here, thanks for the inspiring post
Those glossy black floors are beautiful! I would never be able to keep them clean and shiny. We had Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors in our old house and they looked great for an hour after I cleaned them, and someone would walk on them. I think I want a black wall in the bedroom now.
Haha!! I can’t keep anything clean and I don’t have Brazilian cherry to blame … I have 2 little ones that are like cyclones and fur “tumbleweeds” from the 4 shedding dogs 😀
this is interesting to look at, but I wouldn’t be able to live with it… Too much contrast, too much of a hotel feeling. Black and white elements in the design – of course, fully appointed rooms? Not for me…
Fabulous post, love the B&W themes – if only I was brave enough 🙂
You and me both! But I’m pondering it…black paint is definitely intimidating
So gorgeous…I want every room in my house in black and white!
I’m in looove with that staircase…
These pictures are great! I know this may sound odd but do you have any modern black and white style pictures of a bathroom? We are going to totally remodel ours and are thinking of color schemes to go with. 🙂 I love your blog and all the wonderful pictures you always have!
I will find some for you and post 🙂 thank you – you are always so kind to me!!!
Wonderful! 🙂 Thank you! I do love your blog and tell my boyfriend about it all the time how you have such great architectural interior design tips!
That is so nice to hear!! Now, you will be happy to hear I got all my black and white bathroom pictures together, so I will work on a post tonight and should have it ready to go tomorrow (hopefully, but there are a LOT of pictures, so it may take an extra day) or Saturday 🙂
I have also been trying to find a source I had for really pretty and inexpensive fixtures, but I can’t find it and it’s driving me mad!! GRRRR! If you need faucets and I can’t find it in time for the post and I find it later, I’ll can let you know.
You are too kind! I hope it wasnt much trouble. I am so proud of your blog and all the hard work you do for your readers. Thank you so much for your hard work! Dont worry about rushing, we dont move in for a few weeks 🙂
I look forward to seeing your wonderful pictures and getting some ideas for our remodel. Your Awesome!
I love this posts, black and white is such a great combination it bring excitment and clean lines and you can always up it with a touch of color. So gorgeous!
Thank you! That’s such a good way to describe it!
I love the B&W as well…. we’re planning black upper walls above traditional white wainscotting for our new dining room. To add an extra bit of dash I’m thinking about painting the ceiling a metallic silver as well. I too love the stairway photo, so grand and yet so “dainty’ at the same time. Thx.
That sounds absolutely divine!!! I hope you post a picture!
I really like some of these, although I would much prefer wood and earthy colors in my house.
LOVE LOVE LOVE high contrast black + white, LOVE gold, and LOVE LOVE LOVE venetian glass mirrors (closet pic). Great post, great minds….. think alike 😉 thank you!
You have FABULOUS taste 😉
I like that black wall behind the bed with the room decorated as it is. It gives the room a nice balance. I also love that wardrobe in the second to the last photo. It looks both practical and elegant. Nice selection of photos to browse through.
Thanks!
I like that you can add any colour as an accent. You can change your decor or feel of the room as often as you like, very inexpensively too. Not sure I can do this style, I prefer warm decor over the cool. The 9th pic from the top is basically what I dream of for my master, except the palette will be chocolate brown with vanilla/ivory like colour and red accents.
That is an exceptional point! I also am in the process of gathering contrast photos and there are quite a few chocolate/cream rooms and they are quite appealing.
Do you know how many of these BW clips I have in my stash!! Great taste, obviously! Love the flanking floor mirrors in the bedroom. Excellent idea for rooms short on windows.
May I commend you on your excellent taste!!! How funny is that!?!
I recently redecorated a bathroom in B & W. It had 1950’s Paris feel. White subway tile, B & W photos, stripes, mirrors, glossy black accents. If only I’d had room for a chandelier…
C’est beau!
Wow! Your house is beauteous! Thanks for sharing.
Love black floors. Really want to try that.
How beautiful!! I simply have no talent for setting up a beautiful room, but I love seeing other peoples’ masterpieces. Maybe someday…:-)
Love, love, love the balance in the 4th from last photo!
The foyer with the chair rail? If so, you’re so right – it has great balance between the two colors!! Hope you’re doing well 🙂
Yep, that’s the one. It’s just perfect. 🙂
I love black and white design schemes and find them to both dramatic and exciting and yet at the same time, juxtaposed with a white background calming and soothing!
I agree!!
Love the color combo. Those floors and stairs are amazing!
A great post I love the staricase in the first photo an the dinning room I love the chairs, All and all it is great.
Love all the sudden use of mirrors behind the lighting! Wonder what the effect is when the lights are on- glaring?
I’ll let you know once I find the right mirrors! I have two lamps that are begging for this treatment 🙂
That would be great; I’ve very curious! Love your blog. I’m out in the TX woods but it’s inspiring me to finally make changes around here! Somehow mid-century modern, my taste, doesn’t quite work out here but I hate ‘rustic.’ I’ve been in a quandary for a while!
Great collection of pictures showing the dramatic contrasts of black and white – the yin and the yang. Not sure if I could decorate an entire house in this fashion, I’m a neat freak and both of these colors show pet hair etc very well lol. I prefer neutral earth tones.
With steps like piano keys how can you not feel like Frank Sinatra.
Love the sharp clean lines -beautiful & sophisticated living-I’m more of a color and clutter, but a girl can dream, right?
Just beautiful!!! I love the drama of black & white…& that black ceiling with the mouldings is just gorgeous!
love it! I also really love grey and whites. Like a dark, deep grey. Grey enough that you know it’s grey!
Oooh! I love grey too, especially if there is silver, chrome or a mirror in the mix! Just so elegant!!
I love the monochromatic black and white. So powerful and chic! Would be great to implement it at home with some pops of colour.
These rooms are beautiful. The new paper pack that I just bought and am anxiously awaiting for matches them perfectly lol. All black and white.
That is so stunning! Wow!!!!
I’m intrigued by the artwork simply leaning against the wall in the 11th photo. It’s a curious blend of sophisticated and casual. This wouldn’t work for me right now (with a 14 month old running around) but I’ll keep it in mind for down the road..
Beautiful, but a little too stark for my taste. … Thanks for sharing. Be well, Dorothy 🙂
Black and white are my best liked colors. You use a house like an artist uses a canvas.
What a thoughtful thing to say!! Thank you!!
You’re welcome! I appreciate your hard work. To many people don’t take their “talents” and “experience” seriously and wind up being mediocre, but not you,
Dark floors work provided the room is sufficiently large and bright. Small spaces with little or no natural light would not benefit from a dark floor, methinks! Great blog by the way!
Love your sense of style 😉 Find your blog interest 😉 Will be following
It’s elegant and lovely.
Reblogged this on Children's Health Naturally and commented:
I love this blog! She has great information and is great to her followers.
Awww!!! You’re so sweet!! I may have great information, but I am just *awful* with getting everything to look right, so it takes me too long to do too little
I have 39 pictures for your post (and that was after spending the day throwing out the ones that weren’t up to par), so it’s brutal!! I may have to slide show them…we will see how it goes tonight!!
But I love, love, love thinking about design, so I’m super excited about your project (and your house!) and have been scribbling down tips for the bathroom on what I wish I had known or wished had been available when I built my house 🙂
Thats fantastic! I appreciate all the time you are spending on the post. I will definately look forward to any tips you have, it is a big project and I am very excited about it.
Thanks again for everything. I look forward to seeing your awesome pictures!
One post went up yesterday – and I think I found out from the WP forums why it’s been taking me so long to format my posts – It’s my browser!!! So, I’m going to switch computers and it’ll go faster!
After the 2nd post, I’ll post bathrooms with color and if you still don’t see what you need, let me know 🙂
Such beautiful rooms, but I’m not sure I’d want to live in any of them. I do like mixing in black and white, but I love color too much to keep it straight b&w. My own apartment walls are pale lime green 🙂 Of course you’ve reminded me that I’ve been itching to do some redecorating lately – getting sick of my red couches. And thanks 🙂
This color is my absolute first-love for an interior!
Great photos! I loved your post “Closets need love too”. I couldn’t agree more, Though I have never gone beyond keeping them nicely organized – never even thought about painting the inside of a closet. (but I have never had a walk in closet).
I just redid my family room, now I want to work on a spare bed room which I was thinking of doing in black and white. So I have found the photos here very inspirational.
Oh – BTW love the light for your pantry – especially the price. WOW. I love a bargain too and will start doing more shopping on line I think.
I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog.
great inspirations!
I don’t have the kind of house where something this stark would work, but I do love how black and white looks too. These pics are gorgeous.
Pingback: Black and White Bathrooms By Request « A Detailed House
Beautiful photos. I would think that black and white would be too stark, but it isn’t at all.
Pingback: Me? An Award? | 10:02
Wow, so many awesome design ideas in your blog! You have great taste.
I love the light fixtures in some of these photos, especially the big bulbous one.
Reblogged this on Jessicaadelle's Blog and commented:
Beautiful! I love a neutral palette and adding pops of color with flowers and accessories! This way, you can change it up often, inexpensively, and quickly!
I have a zebra rug too ( made from cow hide)! Really very decoratative!
Great post! We are in the process of building a new home and this is pure inspiration.
Pingback: Big Statement Chandeliers and Kid Rock |
Your collection of blk/white rooms have the most elegant styles I’ve ever seen. Something about the contrast between blk/wht creates a restrained appearance allowing one to include detailed and extravagant accessories without appearing ostentatious.
I created a blk/wht board on Pinterest I’d like to share with you: http://pinterest.com/PinkPoniesPins/blk-white/
LOVE the closet and the black, white & gold inspiration! Great post 🙂
Very elegant but a little cool for me!
Really like your blog. Elegant and interesting.
I really enjoyed your blog. I agree with you about the the bench in front of the bed, it does compete with the mirror. Parlly though, I thinik it is becasue they should have used a richer looking gold (more red tones). The gold they used was too yellow (tinny).
Thanks
Bold and daring black and white.
I don’t know if I could pull it off – but I think it is gorgeous…those stairs in the first photo are so elegant, and the simplicity of the decor through the other shots very impactful and sophisticated. Love it.
I’m into the black and white look very much (black sleigh bed, white dresser w/black knobs, black/white lamps, black side tables) I just have to finish it by getting rid of tan carpet, painting dull off-white walls, buying curtains and taking the beautiful b&w comforter set I bought two years ago out of the bag. H’mmm money and work – think that’s whats preventing me from finishing. Very inspired though by your post, maybe I will get at it.
I love the black and white theme! These rooms are gorgeous!
Pingback: 9 Vintage Glamour Design Ideas For Your Home - Sofa Workshop