Black and white elements are very useful in interior design. Last fall on the blog, we shared some of our favorite black and white chairs as well as black and white artwork. This train of thought got us ruminating on spaces that adhere to a strict black and white color scheme and what makes them successful. Today we’re going to walk you through an imaginary morning in black and white.

Naturally, the day starts with a relaxing bath in a claw foot tub. This striking black and white bathroom by Studio Lifestyle demonstrates the importance of using restraint to balance bold moves. The graceful line of the black claw foot tub is enhanced against the graphic tile. The floor is a simple white marble, and the scale and form of the lantern pendant are complementary to the tile pattern. A patterned tile can make a room feel busy, but this one feels restful and composed.  

After a morning bath, it’s time to descend the staircase and move on with our black and white morning. Again, simplicity is key to this space. The white walls and ceiling are washed in light. The all-black staircase is an elegant and understated part of the overall composition. I love the over-sized vegetation and can imagine how easy it would be to switch around the furnishings in this stair foyer. One benefit of a black and white background is the ability to experiment with other colors or materials in the space.

The morning continues with coffee while lounging on the settee in this stylish dining nook originally seen on Houzz. The charcoal grey settee (ok, technically not black!) has visual weight and serves as an anchor. But the room still feels light and airy with white walls, grey trim, a neutral table, and mirrored accent pieces. The graphic rug injects a touch of modern energy into the space.

Fueled up on coffee, it’s time to get to work. Yes, that’s right – this playful and inviting space is in the home and studio of Laura Aviva of l’aviva home. I love the way the organic black and white patterns contrast with the crisp, black lines of the sofa frame, art frames, and window sashes. You barely notice, but those lines contain the patterns and lend a calming order to the space.  

If you’re not quite ready to go all-in with a black and white room, head back to our features on black and white chairs and black and white artwork for more inspiration.