inspiration (black & white)

I've really been thinking about color palettes lately, now that I have a completely empty and
furniture-less room.

We have so much color outside right now, that I find myself drawn toward the black and white color combination. Handyman has traditional and conservative taste, so I often have to convince him through images that black and white doesn't necessarily have to be super modern, cold, or impersonal.

In fact, the black and white palette could work in any room of the home, from the front entry all the way through to the bedroom. Check out these images, and notice how the design is kept warming, inviting, and often traditional and timeless.

Each image has a few design elements in common:

• a warm or neutral floor
• an interchangeable pop of color (with flowers, pillows, or accessories)

THE FRONT ENTRY

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This black and white entry is has the warm tones from the hardwood, and even a very neutral and beige area rug. The touches of pink could easily be swapped with almost any color such as kelly green or navy blue. I love how you can catch a glimpse of the glossy black door in the mirror's reflection.

The KITCHEN

Source:Traditional Kitchen design by San Francisco Kitchen And Bath Precision Cabinets & Trim

This kitchen is really a blank slate. It's well-designed with classic materials and finishes. The owner could easily influence the overall style of the space with their own accessories and personal taste.

THE LIVING AREA

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  This is not an overly black and white living space. The black fireplace in contrast with the crisp white surround and mantle are the contributing black and white element of the room. The gray walls have a warm hue and the deep colored wood coffee table, along with the gold frames balance the stark contrast of the hearth area.

THE BEDROOM

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 This bedroom is a wonderful example of modernizing a more traditional look. The stuffiness of the four poster bed is toned down with glossy black paint and the striped graphic pillow and vase balance the antique oil painting.

THE GALLERY WALL

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 For those afraid to commit to any entirely white or black gallery space, this is a good example of both.

THE LAUNDRY ROOM

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 For those willing to commit to a dark wall color, this bright laundry room demonstrates a even balance of black and white. The white shelves lighten the walls, while the corbels add some charm. The window valance is simple and the adjacent room is a contrasting lighter color. And of course the striped green rug could be interchanged with any desired hue.

If you want to try something different, you could add a graphic black and white pillow to a neutral space, likes these cute damask pillows below.

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What's your favorite color palette?