5 Smashing Black and White Homes
A high-contrast color combination provides the perfect base for bold interior design
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
By now everyone knows that it's pretty easy and inexpensive to switch up the look of a room by changing out throw pillow covers, a lamp or two, artwork and a rug. However, to pull this off you need a versatile base. Using black and white as a base makes these switch-ups very easy and is visually striking. Get ideas for how to do this from these five houses that use black and white as a starting point.
1. An oceanfront house in Massachusetts. Upon entering this striking oceanside home north of Boston, one immediately knows that LDA Architecture and Interiors has not designed a typical beach house.
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| This balance of the two colors even keeps an over-the-fireplace TV looking sleek. |
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| Not all of the rooms are white with black accents; others, including this kitchen, let black dominate and bring big drama. See the rest of this home |
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by Stephanie Sabbe
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| 2. A bold Manhattan apartment. Interior designer Stephanie Sabbe created a wowing look by using black, white and shades in between (for example, the light gray sofa). This sophisticated home starts with a strong black and white chevron rug on the floor, and graphic touches abound from the floor up to the ceiling. |
by Stephanie Sabbe
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Another black and white rug creates continuity between the rooms; this time it is rendered in a zebra print. Electric orange dazzles as part of this palette, while boldly colored prints are anchored by black and white framing. Any of the bold hues of the artwork would work well on the dining chair slipcovers.
See the rest of this home
See the rest of this home
by Stephanie Sabbe
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Out on the terrace, black woven furniture can take on a bevy of bold hues and geometric prints.
See the rest of this home
See the rest of this home
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by susan duane
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| 3. A country charmer in western New York. Susan Duane, blogger of Hometown Girl, has preserved the classic look of her antique home through major renovations. The use of black and white lends a crisp, traditional look. |
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| Turquoise chairs stand out on the otherwise strictly black and white screened-in porch. |
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by susan duane
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| Black and white tiles on the floor and a traditional floral print on the walls and windows give this bathroom a vintage feel. See the rest of this home | Add vintage touches to your bathroom |
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| 4. A Shelter Island cottage. For this charming cottage on Shelter Island, New York, Steve Schappacher and Rhea White took a common beachy farmhouse aesthetic and switched it up by rendering it in black and white. |
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| Keeping a strict color palette ties together an eclectic mix of seating and decorating styles. |
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| Chalkboard paint provides an ever-changing backdrop to the cottage kitchen. See the rest of this home |
5. A contemporary box in Venice Beach. In this contemporary home, interior designer Vanessa De Vargas carries substantial black and white pieces throughout the home, often in chevron patterns. This gave her the freedom to mix in shots of bold color in every room while keeping a cohesive look throughout the entire first floor.
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| The black and white pieces in the room work well with glass and chrome. An ornate gold mirror and a natural fiber rug keep things from being too matchy-matchy and warm up the otherwise stark palette. |
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| Pops of yellow add cheer to the black and white breakfast nook. See the rest of this home More: Home Styles: New Traditional Design 5 Inspiring Homes from the Chilly North Dream Spaces: Seriously Glamorous Homes |
Comments
Amy Renea That first home in particular is simply stunning!
16 months ago · Like
Lori Berry Love!
16 months ago · Like
Erika Bierman Photography Love it, very elegant!
16 months ago · Like
Rikki Snyder I love black and white with pops of color. Beautiful spaces!
16 months ago · Like
patscats2 I love black and white but need to have at least one other color infused.
16 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER I LOVE this idea book.....black and white, SO beautiful. The photos are great.
16 months ago · Like
tommy58 Black and white kitchen with red accent... 
16 months ago · Like
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Wow, Becky. You almost convince a confirmed color addict that black and white could be livable! Especially the first and third examples. The word 'stunning' is so overused, but I think I have to say it. I really hate the TV in the second example. And it's way too high for people seated that low and that close. Is that lamp on a tripod? Looks interesting.
16 months ago · Like
Becky Harris Laurel, you make me laugh - I try so hard not to say "stunning" "striking" "pop of color" "zen" and a long list of other words I tend to overuse but I cannot help it! Sometimes there is just not an acceptable synonym that says it the same way :) Anyway, I am pretty sure I used all of the above in this ideabook!
16 months ago · Like
Damien F Um, Is this a home belonging to the 1%???!!! Really nice- when shall I pick up my plane tic. to Mass???
16 months ago · Like
Christine Baudin Here's a pic of the house we are buying (under contract) and an old bathroom we had renovated in our last home. 
15 months ago · Like
Lorraine Gordon I normally don't care much for wall-mounted television screens over fireplaces, but with this black and white colour scheme, I think it works.
15 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on March 5, 2012.
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