Black and white

Like chocolate and vanilla or a simple black dress with white pearls, classic black and white exudes effortless charm. In home décor the combination is the epitome of style, presenting itself as dramatic and engaging while demanding attention with calm assurance. There are myriad ways to harness the power of this dynamic decorating duo. Here are fifteen of my favourite home décor ideas in black and white.

1. Black furniture against white walls. The intense contrast that black and white provides allows black or ebonized furniture to stand in sharp relief against pure white walls. The heightened impact is best employed when furnishings are sleek and sophisticated.
2. Checkerboard floors. Black and white stone or ceramic tiles bring instant drama to rooms. Lay the tiles diagonally to increase the energy in the room or lay them on the square to suggest solidity and formality.
3. Crisp white bedding. Create your own urban oasis with crisp white bedding in a minimum 300 thread count. Accent with striking black accent pillows and the look is sexy and timeless.
4. Black and white toile. Whether the image is a bucolic field or a lively hunting scene, historic toile delivers no-fail style to traditional rooms. The hand-painted screens work to establish the room's focal point.
5. High impact curves. To really show off the shape of an item, say a piece of furniture or a drapery treatment, delineate it with contrast piping. A black pelmet or valance can be outlined in white cord, thus showing off its form. Play up the curves of an all-white wing chair by accentuating its shape with black piping.
6. Pure white marble. To create a bathroom with classic appeal, layer it with white. A white marble countertop atop matt white cabinetry is the ultimate indulgence.
7. High contrast improves seeing power. As we age our eyesight becomes weaker. Enhancing the contrast between floors and walls, say black floors and white walls, brings a room's proportions into more obvious relief. This is especially effective in hallways where lighting is dim to begin with.
8. Set the stage for drama. A black and white colour palette adapts to virtually any accent colour. Incorporate a shot of bright pink, royal blue, or buttercup yellow and watch the room's dynamics transform.
9. Black marble countertop. In the kitchen, a black countertop with white cabinetry converts a builder's kitchen into a smart and stylish showplace. The high drama combination lends this frequently-used room energy and verve.
10. Black and white photographs. Smart and sophisticated, black and white photography has the ability to turn an ordinary room into an art gallery with ease. To create a cohesive collection focus on a theme such as grand cities or choose a period such as the 1940's.
11. White sheers. To add a touch of privacy to window treatments without blocking sun, designers rely on the beauty of sheers. It wasn't so long ago however, that sheers were made up almost entirely of solid synthetic materials. Fortunately, this isn't the case any longer according to Frank Fortier, Showroom Manager of Robert Allen Fine Fabrics. According to Fortier, "Today's sheers come in a variety of materials including cotton, silks and linen and they have added body and detail. Patterns such as an intricate floral trellis or rhythmic paisley contribute to window treatments with real style."
12. Black and white stripes. To emphasize the height of a room, use black and white striped wallpaper. An excellent choice to create style in a small entrance or foyer.
13. Black door and window frames. In a kitchen setting, black window frames sharply punctuate white bead board walls. This look works best when windows are uniform in size and shape and are placed centrally within the wall.
14. Gingham. Gingham's easy charm goes high voltage with the strength of black and white. A black and white gingham table cloth is ideal for bistro style dining table and chairs.
15. Black lamp shades. To create a more formal statement with floor lamps and sconces, consider replacing the more popular white shades with all black shades. The darker silhouette is ideal for lighting that is decorative rather than ambient or general since the dark shades dampen the bulbs' output.