Black and White

I have a little love affair going with graphic black and white patterns right now...

It's apparent from the black and white pattern mix going on in our dining room right now with the wicker chair makeover, and I'm finding myself picking up fun black and white accessories here and there.  Our living room has been saturated with color for months now, and while I'm not one of those people who can live in a home devoid of color for too long, there is something so appealing about this simple color palatte.

This clean white room is a favorite of mine - it's simple, but not boring, with the graphic punch coming from the pillows and striped rug.

Eclectic Living Room by New York Architects & Designers SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

If this were our bathroom, I could die a happy girl.  The wallpaper is fabulous in all it's psychedelic glory, but the clean white shower curtain gives the eye something to rest on amid the busy patterned walls.

Eclectic Bathroom by Little Rock Interior Designers & Decorators Tobi Fairley Interior Design

While I'm sure this rug isn't from Ikea (my guess is that it's the Madeline Weinrib version... quite pricey), but it's so fun.  Nate Berkus uses a similar version in many of his designs as well...

Eclectic Family Room by San Juan Capistrano Closet & Home Storage Designers Tara Bussema

Striped curtains - everything else in here is pretty simple, but these curtains make this room something to stop and look at!

Traditional Family Room by Detroit Interior Designers & Decorators The Yellow Cape Cod

And again, more fab black and white wallpaper.  We're still renting, but one day a sweet little powder bath is going to get one heck of a makeover in our house with something fabulous like this.....

Contemporary Home Office by Saskatoon Interior Designers & Decorators Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.

Not willing to commit to a pricey rug, or anything so permanant as wallpaper?  Ikea has recently produced some AMAZING pieces (and this is not a sponsored post - I am really just that impressed with them right now) so I pulled together 6 of my favorite pieces they're selling right now...

1. Staggered Stripe Rug
2. Woven Aztec Lumbar Pillow
3. Diamond pattern Area Rug
4. Striped Dinner Plate
5. Striped Knit Throw Blanket
6. Houndstooth Throw Pillow

I actually bought several of the lumbar pillows (they are thick, and look really expensive in person) and the striped throw has been a staple in our living room for the last year.  I also couldn't help myself, and bought four of the large striped dinner plates last week too!  They really are amazing, and would look so great with all white dishes, and a simple table setting.

What do you think? Are you loving black and white as much as I am??

Have you found other fabulous black and white finds recently??

Black and White

You know what I found kind of funny this year after NY Fashion week??  Hearing every fashion magazine and editor try to put their spin on the trends they saw, and unanimously across the board the answer was "Black and White".

Huh?  Was black and white ever NOT a trend?  It is the most classic, dramatic, lovely combination that will never go anywhere (in my ultra-professional opinion of course).  In home decor, in fashion, and everything in-between.  Black and white is here to stay...

These floors?  I mean, COME ON!  Perfection!

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And how awesome is a dark black wall??  One of my newest obsessions this year. The curtains here are pretty fabulous too though....

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Dual striped Roman Shades... so crisp, and so chic.  Makes me want to swap out my sweet yellow trellis roman shade for something more bold!

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Wear it to work.  Wear it to dinner.  Wear it out with a sassy mini-skirt.  I am a total sucker for a black and white striped top.  I probably have at least 10 different styles in my closet right now.

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Simple, and elegant.  I love the huge bronze lantern, claw foot table, and the glossy black door.  The clean white walls let the more ornate details shine.

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Styling at it's best!  I've seen mirrors with a similar "aged" finish sold from Ballard.  Obviously the real deal is best, but I love the look of the antique patina.

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There is nothing more chic than black and white stripes in an outdoor space.  So french - right in the middle of any city!  I actually just got back from LA and the pool area at Hotel ShangriLA in Santa Monica has a fabulous black and white stripe thang going on.

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Black and white goes mod in this little vignette.  It's the "Twiggy" of entry tables, and how COOL is the tweed on the sliding drawer fronts.  It looks like suiting!  Love!

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What a sophisticated work area.  I love the laquer boxes, glam chrome lamp bases, and the wide white stripe on the streamlined wingback chair, but the woven jug brings an earthy element to the mix...

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This bathroom is so modern and glam and fabulous in every. single. way.  Nothing in here is anything I'd call my "taste" but I would die and go to heaven if this were a bathroom in my house.  That wallpaper is like Jonathan Adler graphics meets Metalica.  LOVE.

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Black and White Weddings

I am normally drawn to weddings where light colors and rustic details take center stage, but I have to say that the graphic contrast of black and white is a breath of fresh air from all the summertime weddings that take place in a garden, barn, or vineyard.

     

     

Doesn't this bouquet of white anemones make a bold statement without being too "loud"?  I also love the black sash that break's up the sweetness of this romantic dress.



I've always been a fan of having bridesmaids wear different dresses, and this line-up above is still cohesive, while letting the girls wear something that is a) flattering to their figure, and b) shows off their personality.  Aside from that, the blush and black is a little more fresh and unique than the standard creme, and more flattering than nude.  So pretty!



This picture strikes me as the perfect look for a Halloween wedding.  Without being costume-y about it, the black lilies in the bouquets add drama, while the strappy black shoes are adventurous, and give a nod to the spooky... almost witch-like.

      

I love these invitations wrapped in black and white string, and how fun are those checkerboard socks and black and white wingtips?!  Adorable!



Maybe it's just me, but I think the chiffon softens the all black dresses above.  The vibe is romantic all the way despite the dark color.

     

Ok, who can say that these sheer lace Valentino's are anything short of FABULOUS.  With the big bows, sexy peep toe, and sky high heel, these shoes are sexy meets sweet.  Weddings aside, I want these for my own closet!

            

Feather's aren't really my thing, but it makes for a dramatic detail on a white lapel, and don't even get me started on that necklace.  I love the antique brooch that serves as a clasp, along with the oversize pearls - so pretty.



These invites are modern all the way.  I love the graphic "LOVE", the black background with white font, and the simple lay-out.

The more I look at it, the more I love the idea of a black and white wedding... what do you think?