The Beauty of Black and White

This time of year, it’s easy to get carried away with color. With blooms in a variety of hues springing forth every day, we’re inevitably inspired by the pinks, yellows, greens, and every other option on the spectrum. Still, we always seem to return to black and white. A palate cleanser of sorts, as the above space by Northern New Jersey-based ELIZABETH VIZZONE INTERIORS shows, the combination also provides the perfect backdrop to the abundance of color all around us.

For black-and-white interiors inspiration, the portfolio of Nashville’s APRIL TOMLIN INTERIORS is an excellent place to start. Her palettes are wonderfully clean, and as the above space shows, her designs mix a variety of materials and textures together to create a look that’s utterly sophisticated.

Here again, APRIL TOMLIN INTERIORS keeps to a simple black-and-white color scheme, yet the space comes alive with stunning hexagonal lighting in a warm hue and tile that proves black and white is anything but basic.

The pared down palette never fails to let fixtures and furnishings shine. Top: black tile and a white window frame look gorgeous against clean-lined fixtures in a space by Austin’s GLYNIS WOOD INTERIORS. Above: in an image from Northern New Jersey-based to-the-trade SCHWARTZ DESIGN SHOWROOM‘s look book, a dreamy silver sofa stands out in a beautiful black and white setting.

A dark wall, creamy drapes, a plush pink ottoman, and black-and-white patterned pillows come together to create a relaxing room with romantic touches in yet another APRIL TOMLIN INTERIORS project.

A checkerboard floor can be hard to resist—and can take a space to the next level. Left: Atlanta-based HISTORICAL CONCEPTS‘s “Serentity on the May” project provides a stunning example of black-and-white making a statement (see more images of the Palmetto Bluff estate—including additional photos of the amazing entry hall pictured—HERE). Right: A photo by Daniel A. Newcomb captures a lovely kitchen by Palm Beach’s MM DESIGNS. We adore the pink patterned wallpaper and curtains paired with the classic floor.

A black-and-white color scheme might not be the most obvious choice for a child’s space, but Minneapolis’s FIDDLEHEAD DESIGN GROUP shows the palette’s playful side (how fun is the dog silhouette wallpaper in the bedroom?). The mixing of many black-and-white patterns makes the space feel fresh, dynamic, and inviting.

More black-and-white pattern play courtesy of Little Rock’s BEAR HILL INTERIORS (left) and Fort Worth’s BECKLEY DESIGN STUDIO (right). The combination is perfect for a powder room or seating area—especially when you add a pop of unexpected color or an ornate accent.

We couldn’t resist sharing one more image of APRIL TOMLIN INTERIORS‘s work. Who wouldn’t want to gather around this black-and-white table? Whether sitting for a meal or a creative meeting, the simple palette and eye-catching accents offer an ideal setting for lively conversation. Stylish yet unfussy, the space is contemporary yet comfortable—which we think is always a winning combination.

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