Black and white and awesome all over.

To continue my interest/love in black and white interiors, here is a nice collection of more gorgeous b&w rooms. My apartment is full of browns blues, yellows and greens so this is a nice little fantasy for me.

LOVING this black and white splatter wallpaper made by Hinson. Black and white looks great with that wooden cricket table too. By Tom Scheerer.

EH to the bedspreads; just not my style. BUT I do enjoy a flashy pop of color like that turquoise chair. This dark grey paint is gorgeous and even makes the radiator look pretty! By RJ Thornberg from Point Click Home.

From the late and great Metropolitan Home, I love this dining room by Kelly Hoppen. Zebra rug, yup. Black painted floor, mmhmm. Black and white photographs? SCORE.

I love the drama of this staircase and the pop of bright yellow in the wing chair.

I saw this on Cup of Jo (via Lonny mag) a few days ago. This is the bathroom for the uber glam J Crew on Madison Ave on the Upper East side (where I love to shop). The vertical stripes are very bold, but if you look closer there are many beautiful details: the mouldings, the little ledge with frames on it, and the scalloped mirror. What a simple way yet creative way to make a small bathroom more exciting.

This mostly white kitchen from House Beautiful has wonderful pops of black. The black tiles help to frame out the cabinetry and counters.

Carleton Varney, in true Dorothy Draper style, uses the black and white vertically striped wallpaper in this sweet dramatic front hall. Also, check out the zebra on the stairway.

I know this isn't TECHNICALLY black and white, it's chocolate and white but at first glance, it could be right? This Rob Southern (adore) interior from Clover Mag is traditional but so fun and youthful. The wall covering is actually chocolate and white crewelwork--isn't it AMAZING? I'm just in love with this whole house.

Isn't this fun? I think I may start to incorporate a little graphic black and white-ness into my apartment. I came to New York with NOT ONE piece of black clothing, and look at me now ( I own lots of black now)! Sort of kidding but really, color looks really bright and fun against a more monochromatic background, yes? Black and white can be super dramatic and glam too!

Alicia B.

RED THERAPY

Fine Paints of Europe # 7195.

Says Mary McDonald, "I think red is a sexy color for brunettes. We can handle strong colors that would eat up a blonde. This is more of a blue red than a tomatoey country red. It's sultry and sophisticated."

Red scares me. Is it supposed to be exciting? Am I supposed to like it because its daring? Many very famous designers have built their reputations on being able to use red well. I have decided to do a little research on the uses of red. How much is too much? Too little? Just right? What do you feel emotionally from red? Anyway, I had fun--see below.

Dorothy Draper--this look is uber dramatic (the Greenbrier). LOVE.

This is from Domino. Using Brilliant in Tulip red from Fine paints of Europe, painting all the walls definitely makes a statement.

Sometimes just using a simple accent of red will draw attention especially in a room with such contrasting colors. From Metropolitan Home.

Also from Metropolitan Home, this room has such an airy feeling and the red is a much deeper hue. Love the dark wood nightstand with the cut outs.

Martha Stewart uses this glossy red paint around the windows and cabinets in a country kitchen.

This room is by Todd Romano; he uses a more mottled texture to this wall. I like this brick color red and the way he pairs it with browns and greens.

Alex Papachristidis, who pretty much fears NOTHING when it comes to design, uses many red accessories in this living room slash study.

I guess one of the secrets is using it in moderation or go totally bold with it. Really be daring but try to pick the right one. Sometimes a red can look very modern and other times it can evoke a colonial/New England vibe. In an article I read about the psychological effect of red, it can draw out many emotions, both positive and negative. Negative: defiance, aggression and strain and Positive: passion, energy and warmth! I think I might be coming around or at least feeling better about red. Thanks for going through that with me.


Alicia B.