Do you really want to stick to only red, black and white throughout the entire apartment? You could add new pillows to the black sofa - red and add another color, a green would be nice. You could then pull those colors into the MBR, but make the green the main color, using black and red accents....or change to black and yellow with a small red touch in that room.

Consider using the same color scheme in the bedroom -- so that furniture like the chair could be moved around from room to room. It is always nice to have versatile items and color in your decor! And using colors in other rooms means that your place has a visual "flow" from space to space -- and that means your apartment will look and fell "larger"

Try adding a color like lime green for the summer months -- perhaps add a duvet and cover from Ikea in that fresh color. Lime green would still work so well with your other colors! Then simply add a vase in that color (with fresh simple white flowers) to a chest of drawers.

You could always add a grid of family photos in black-and-white to a larger wall (over a long black console table -- just an example) BUT add lime green mats -- along with white ones) to your photos.

OR try adding a large glass vase to a console table in lime green ......

OTher accent colors to consider:

Bright yellow
Deep indigo blue

But my vote goes to lime green accents around your new place to tie the rooms together.

If anyone has any photos of similar color schemes, that would be very helpful. I've been searching online without much success.

Thanks!

Here's an inspiration photo from Domino magazine .....hope this helps!

Jan

Here is a link that might be useful: Domino magazine photo -- bedroom

I don't do Contemporary but always like when a poster does. Then I get a chance to push different greens than most people have.

Architectural Digest is a great mag that has examples of most decor styles. The post I provided shows a redo with some reds and greens.

Here is a link that might be useful: Architectural Digest

Can you paint the walls? Even one wall in red would be lovely. And I agree that you will need a secondary accent color like the green.
The bedroom could be red and white with black accents.

I love your color scheme because it's the same as I have in my small home -- black, white and red. And, from experience, I find that it's best to have a cohesive look from room to room, especially in a small space. But, it doesn't have to boring. For example, my kitchen is red with a black and white backsplash. Since I can see the living area from my kitchen, I have painted one wall red -- the focal wall which has an ebony mantle. A decorator friend told me to carry this theme throughout for a classic, stylish look. For example, she advised that I use white bedding in one bedroom with black and white damask, and red throw pillows. Another room could be red and white, with black accents. Get the picture? You're using the same colors but in different ways. You mentioned a bowl of red apples. That's what I have on my antique oak kitchen table, which has black iron chairs. My apples are in a black iron bowl. Black, white and red is classic and always in style. If you get tired of red, use pink, lime green, or another bright accent color. I love the versatility that this color sceme allows.

Stargirl,

Thanks for your response! I finally "get it." Before, I didn't quite understand how to use the same colors in different ways. Now, I'm excited about decorating the new apartment.

So, here's an idea of what the living room will look like:

There will be more white in the living room - we have some white lanterns that we bought for our first anniversary party (we have 16) so I'm going to incorporate a few into the room. We also have a black and white marble chess set that will go on the coffee table.

And keep in mind that the walls of our apartment are light beige, as is the rug, and our fireplace mantel is white. So, the room will have lighter elements as well.