All say that the key to black-and-white design is balance. “Being too heavy or too scarce with either color can lose the grounding of its classic look,” says Franklin, who also notes that wood finishes and statement lighting help keep it elevated. For those clients willing to go big, Bullard advises placing a strong black-and-white pattern on a room’s floor or ceiling while keeping walls white to hang art, background antiques, or host colorful furnishings. Black-painted or ebonized baseboards and crown moldings paired with a high-gloss lacquer white ceiling can also make a strong impact while providing “amazing light refraction,” he adds. Ring Murray, meanwhile, likes to color-block, “creating cohesive areas that are predominantly black or predominantly white to unify spaces or enhance the experience,” then playing with textures and materials to lend softness.
As a base palette, a black-and-white interior is highly flexible. It’s an “aesthetic that can be easily adapted and updated over time,” Franklin says. Due to its neutral nature, a coat of paint, new accessories, or an updated wallpaper can give a black-and-white room an entirely different look. “You’re able to experiment in wilder ways, in smaller quantities, but still providing a strong design detail,” Bullard explains. For those whose design preferences change with the seasons, it’s an option that doesn’t require a full home makeover.
When implemented strategically, the palette can also be a benefit against a home’s inevitable wear and tear. “A checkered black-and-white floor is very forgiving to foot traffic and can range from kitchen cozy to estate beautiful depending on the materials,” says White Carter, cofounder of bicoastal studio Carter Design. Materials do matter, Ring Murray advises, so choose them wisely. “Some light and dark finishes—especially high sheen finishes—do less to mask dirt, dust, and pet hair,” she says. “For a client with a white cat, I’d recommend against black upholstery.” Contemporary homeowners put a high value on individualized interiors. With a black-and-white palette, designers can create the perfect showcase for their personalities. —Elizabeth Fazzare
6 Designer-Fave Shades—and the Totally Chic Products to Match
What are the color trends of the moment? Oftentimes we’re inspired by our AD PRO Directory designers, who expertly mix tones both electric and earthy. We’ve asked six of them to pick items in hues they turn to again and again—from chocolate brown to forest green. See—and shop—the full selection here.
Sasha Bikoff’s Rosy Outlook
Sasha Bikoff is sugary sweet and seriously skilled at using shades of pink in her projects, which burst with both opulence and nostalgia.
Forest Green Finds From Jessica Helgerson
French joie de vivre meets Pacific Northwest organicism in forest green, which Jessica Helgerson masterfully implements across many of her projects.
Sunshiney Styles From Beauty Is Abundant
Atlanta-based Leah Alexander not only has an eye for color-blocking—she has fun with it too. Leave it to her to implement sunny yellow, the color of the season.
Ashley Lavonne Chooses Chocolate
Pulling from historical references and her architectural background, Ashley Lavonne’s Instagram is an ever-expanding mood board. We love the multitude of ways she envisions chocolate brown.
Going for Gold With Doniphan Moore
Don’t mess with Texas. Dallas-based Doniphan Moore knows golden grandeur and isn’t afraid to (tastefully) bling a room out in it.
Pistachio Picks From Ayromloo Design
Whimsy is Jessica Ayromloo’s way—and the designer’s joyful interiors make a good case for pistachio color-drenching, especially when paired with pink.
These Are the Colors Trending Across Kitchens and Baths
In rooms where white is often the safe bet, uproarious “color-drenching” has taken hold.
Somewhere along the line, all-white became the default for kitchens and bathrooms, as if we all reside within a hospital. (The reality is, hedging for resale value likely confined us to safe bet palettes.) But lately, designers have been taking risks within these spaces and are going all out with dramatic color on everything from cabinets to walls and fixtures. The muted pastels of a few years ago have given way to deeply saturated color, especially nature-inspired hues.
At this year’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, greens, blues, and browns featured prominently—particularly on fixtures and appliances. Kohler revived three greens from its archives—a bright lime from 1971, a minty hue from 1978, and a teal from the 1980s—for its Heritage Color Collection, and verdant, bluish, and blush tones figured prominently in Viking’s new color collection. “We’re seeing a shift towards self expression in our homes,” says Alex Yacavone, manager of the Kohler Design Studio. “The rules no longer apply.”
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