i’m just seeing…black and white do’s and two don’ts

I really hope you are inspired by all the amazing photos I have shared in this Black and White series.  Thanks so much to both Rue Magazine (www.ruemag.com) and Lonny Magazine (www.lonnymag.com).  These two magazines are becoming my new favs, showcasing real rooms that look timeless and have sprinkles of quirkiness!

  

If you remember the past posts, this rooms speaks to why Black and White is so darn yummy, and below is a list of definite do’s and two don’ts to get you buttoned up and on your way to Black and White stardom!

1. Do mix black and white, it’s okay if your whites are not all the same, just as long as you don’t mix pinky, bluey, greenish or any colory white.  It’s best to stick with white, off white and/or creamy white.
2. Do create rooms with an all-over white scheme, but be verrryyy careful about an all black scheme, too much black is, well, too much!
3. Do add various textures, wood, rustic elements, shiny, smooth, rough, cuddly soft, all mixed together add dimension and make the space feel more comfortable.  White + no texture = cold and sterile.
4. Do mix in neutrals such as warm woods, sisal, chunky faux (pronounced like four without the “r”) fur throws, linen, baskets and natural artifacts.
5. Do mix black and white prints, such as stripes, geometrics and florals of different scales and textures.
6. Do mix in accents of color if you want to add some punch – see see so good: part 2.
7. Don’t no. 1-I’m going out on a limb with this one, but in my very humble opinion, black and white and primary colors are a BIG no-no.  It screams bachelor pad stuck in the 80’s, soooo don’t mix primary colors with black and white unless, and ONLY unless, you happen to own the most amazing Mondrian painting and it covers a huge wall in your home and then, you should only allow the painting to speak for itself and not accessorize with more primary colors.
8. Don’t go crazy with black and white, everything in moderation.