Decorating Inspiration: Black & White
I love black and white rooms like the one shown here (from a model home). I decorated my family room and kitchen similarly to this, which some people in my life have suggested is an indication that I have “commitment issues.”
They may have a point there. I have a hard time committing to colors because I may get tired of them someday. For example, I was gung-ho for a red powder room and painted about 7 coats of the stuff to get it just right. A year later I was sick and tired of all that red in there and spent another weekend priming over it and then painting it back to a soft beige. Everyone was scandalized by this because they loved that red room. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about myself, it’s that I love color–at other peoples’ houses. In my own, I’d rather have neutral walls and use color sparingly, in fabrics and artwork and accessories. That way I can change it around on a whim, and it’s no big deal.
I’ll go ahead and show you my family room, even though (this is my disclaimer) it’s not nearly as nice as anything you’ll find in a magazine. This is true decorating on a budget, folks. It’s decorating with sale items from Sofa Express and Target. And it’s decorating in a house where a teenager and a kindergartner live. In other words, don’t expect it to look like the model home shown above.
I already showed you the mantel in the family room and the difference the crown molding and trims made to the room in the post called “Crown Molding Magic,” but here it is again (to see what it looked like before, go there–it was pretty blah when we moved in):
Now here’s the view of the room you didn’t see, with the sofa and coffee table in front of the window:
What I love about having a neutral family room is that I can change it with the seasons. For example, from September through Thanksgiving, I go crazy with orange accessories for Fall. At Christmas, all the orange is replaced with red. For Spring this year I’m all about that bright turquoise blue that’s so popular now and want to try that. Here’s the blue I mean (via StyleCourt):
I’m craving bright blues right now. According to color theory, lighter blues represent creativity, and who couldn’t use more of that in their life? I’ll let you know if the blue in the family room works out.
In the meantime, here’s what the room looks like in the Fall, with shades of orange thrown in:
And at Christmas time, we go all out on the red:
See? Versatile. So I never get bored. Just as soon as I get tired of all the red, it’s time to take it down again in January.
Now onto a gallery of room that were put together by real designers who truly know what they’re doing and have a bigger budget than I do. I hope they inspire you to try a little black and white in your house, too!
This kitchen looks similar to mine–hardwood floors, white cabinets, toile window treatments, black countertops. Black and white looks so crisp and clean in a kitchen. Like the family room, my kitchen’s accent colors change with the seasons.
Whether this bathroom is truly functional or not, I don’t know, but I love the graphic look of it with the black and white:
This sunroom is so unusual. I had never seen one done in black and white before:
I showed you this bathroom in the post about Crown Molding Inspiration, but here it is again, just because I like it. It was a daring move to paint the crown molding black, but I think it paid off:
The photo below was taken from a feature on artist Magda Trzaski’s studio in a recent issue of Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion. (Via DesignTalk)
This living room was featured in Domino magazine:
What do you think? Do you love black and white like I do, or do you need more color in your life?
Just for Fun:
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Look at the cool black and white rooms I found in the Ikea showroom.
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See what you think about my black & white bathroom’s mini-makeover.
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If you love color, check out Aja’s colorful kitchen makeover.
- See what my family room looked like before we painted and added the crown molding.
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Take a look at my writing room makeover, which uses a lot of black and white, too.
Most black and white photos shown here via Better Homes and Gardens, Homes & Gardens, and Domino.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I love black & white too …
now if someone will please take my messy small children and leave me with a carton of bleach pens I’ll be good to go!
March 7th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Hey, Melinda, I actually use those Tide-to-Go sticks on my furniture (especially the white settee) when it gets dirty. They work great!
March 7th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Your family room is by far my favorite room on your blog! I love that you can change it up so easily with different colors to match the seasons. Now I want a back and white room!
March 7th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I love color too- and tire of it easily. My kitchen is going to be a buttery shade of yellow because there are so many colors that I can pair it with.
I love the look of the black and white. It’s so crisp and works very well with other colors- I love all of them. I’m in a turquoise faze myself. My husband wouldn’t go for it because of his intense dislike of black.
March 8th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Your family room is lovely, Julia. And I can totally understand wanting a scheme that is low-commitment. A few years ago we bought Stickley living room furniture, which is guaranteed for our lifetime, and at some point, my husband said, Uh… what if we get tired of this in a couple years? Good point. Conceivably, we’ll have this stuff until we’re 80. I need to find some ways to change it around with the seasons, though.
Thanks for the inspiration.
March 8th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Loving your blog. I found it because I am reading “House Lust” and went looking for other reviews. Found yours and then your blog. I’ve not read too much of it yet, but I am enjoying it immensely so far. And, by the way, your black and white room is lovely.
March 8th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Welcome, Meredith! Glad you found us here! I really enjoyed “House Lust.” Now I’m reading another really good book called “The House Always Wins” that I’ll be reviewing soon. I’ll also be giving a copy of it away like I did with “House Lust,” so everybody check back for that. I just have to finish reading it first so I can talk about it intelligently.
CindyK–you have real Stickley furniture? Wow. Maybe when I grow up I’ll own some “real” furniture in my house, too!
March 9th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Julia! Your house is so nice! I really love your living room and I loved your post about your office too–it all looks like a designer did it, at least in my opinion.
I feel like a hillbilly–what is Stickley furniture? Do they have a website?
March 10th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Thanks, Aubrey! I’m working on a post about Stickley furniture right now, so check back for that soon and all your questions will be answered. I have a feeling that once you see it, you’ll recognize it. You just didn’t know that’s what it’s called.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:46 am
LoOOOve it! Very inspirational!!
March 14th, 2008 at 12:06 am
I love the simplicity of working in just black and white. It forces the designer to work with other elements and focus on texture and emotion. I eventually made my own bedroom mostly white with a few black accessories (similar to the first picture). It is so heavenly and relaxing with the most divine glow.
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:43 am
I LOVE your family room.
I, too, have color commitment issues. 
I like to keep the rooms neutral and change accessories with the seasons. I do not want to get stuck with a color for too long. I do love color on other people’s walls, though.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:29 am
I LOVE the black and white look! And I love how you can change the feel by changing the colors during the different seasons. But how can I get the same look when I have a brown leather couch, and a dark brown loveseat? Got any good ideas?!?
July 4th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I googled and came across your blog. I must say, I LOVE how you have designed your rooms. Amazing!
July 8th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I have white cabinets & wallpaper in my kitchen, with blue countertops, floor and dining set. I’m so ready for a change, but don’t have lots of cash, so thought of black and white with toile window treatments and coordinating black and white chair covers. My collection of Fiestaware, in bright, bold colors would really look beautiful with this simple but elegant color palette. I googled and found your blog. You have great ideas that fit right in with my scheme. Now I’m really excited to get started. I can use one or 2 of my Fiestaware colors at a time, which gives me many options, or use all the colors at once.
My biggest hurdle is my husband. He doesn’t want me paint the dining set black. Anyway, thanks so much for sharing your creative and beautiful ideas with all of us!.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:39 am
I love love love black and white. My staple decor colors. And of course i love your family room. check out my blog sometime. i added a turqoise room in my house. I get compliments on it .but sometimes i want to change it. probably will someday. lol thanks love touring .. mishelle
July 31st, 2008 at 2:40 am
forgot to leave my blog info..
September 1st, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I am redecorating my cedar log home in Texas. I have lots of vintagbe items, tin signs, and an antique Coca Cola machine that used to stand in my Grandpa’s grocery store in Bogota, Tennessee. My walls are rough cedar as well as the ceiling. Here’s my question:
Do you think a black/white checkerboard floor is too much color to add to the mix? I thought a wood floor would just be too much wood!
September 1st, 2008 at 1:10 pm
VINTAGE not vintagbe
September 15th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Yes, yes, yes! LOL That is all I can say about this post. I love your room. I love that you can so easily change out the feel with a few pops of color - whether it be seasonal, or on a whim. That is fantastic. Purchasing a new couch, replacing carpeting, etc., in order to change a palette makes it prohibitive. I need to remember to show this to my Mom next time she’s over because this is such a great example of what I’ve been trying to suggest to her. Again, beautiful room!
September 20th, 2008 at 8:36 am
I have just developed a love for black and white and when I came across the designer room I almost feel off my chair, It the room I have been putting together in my mind. I like a lot of change and having a black and white foundation would allow me to add color whenever I need a change. I love your season colors, It is the right idea when you need change in your life. For me it is not a committment issue, it is the opportunity to change without redecorating the entire room. Absolutely Beautiful!!
November 9th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Wow, I LOVE what you’ve done with your house! Black and white can be a visually cold combination unless it’s balanced with other colors, but the tan/beige that you’ve used on your living room walls and floor give the room a welcoming warmth. And your kitchen is gorgeous! Black and white together are so striking that I never considered them as neutrals before, but now that I’ve seen your photos (and some of the others that you’ve linked with), I can see how you can use those two colors as a “neutral” background and then add in other color accents. However, I can’t ever see white sofas being a realistic option in my house.
December 31st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
When I was engaged three years ago, and trying to decide what kinds of things to register for (not ever having decorated on my own before), my mom showed me tons of pictures in magazines in this black and white style. Each room had one accent color…green pillows on the couch and a bowl of green apples on the coffee table, red valances in the kitchen window, yellow towels in the bathroom, blue bedding in the kid’s room, etc. She pointed out to me that it was a great idea for decorating because it was so versatile, and easily changeable. If I got tired of the green pillows in the living room, I could switch them out with blue throw pillows from the bed, etc. I tried to adopt the idea, but I didn’t want to do stark white, and I ended up only doing black and white in the kitchen, so far. I love the idea, though.