Timeless Chic

By Hend Seif El Din

Other than sticking to neutrals or earth tones, why not try something different this year?  It is an age-old combination that works wonders; it is powerful, versatile, sexy, and glamorous…yes, I’m talking about black and white.

This color combination can be used in a plethora of ways to create shocking, bold statements, or to design de-cluttered sanctuaries.  How you choose to accentuate the colors makes all the difference.

If you’re a bigger fan of white–rather than black–then you’ll be happy to know that white walls truly “light up” a space, allowing light to bounce off of them.  To avoid turning your home into a hospital though, add black furniture pieces and/or accents to create the perfect contrast.

Black and white will never go out of style, which is good news, of course!  In other words, even though the combination is currently being labeled a “trend,” it is truly timeless, and–when used correctly–lend sophistication and drama to a space.

If you’re designing a room, which has a lot of natural light, black will make it look cozier, while if you’re going for a rustic design, you need to be careful with how much black you use.  In other words, stick to one wall or just use black accessories.

In smaller, narrower spaces, black sets the mood for reflection, and it’s graphic nature when combined with white, makes choosing artwork much easier! 

Considered using black in your entryway?  If you haven’t, then you definitely should.  You can either paint the walls black and accentuate them with white accents, or vice versa.

If you’re one of the many ladies with feminine bedrooms, adding a dash of black will make your man feel more at home, asserting a dash of manliness.

Black and white do not seem to make it on the kitchen-color-scheme list, but again, why not give it a try?  Consider black countertops or even kitchen cabinets.  If you prefer white, then you could use that hue to create a very traditional looking kitchen–somewhat rustic–or a very sleek, and modern one.

This powerful combination also works wonders in bathrooms.  Consider black and white tiles and black accents.  Don’t worry, you can also throw in a splash or color here and there to funk it up a bit or give it a fresher look.