Little Black with Your Coffee

I'm usually one for light, bright decor in a breakfast area, but I love the touches of black in these breakfast rooms; black fabrics, rugs, lampshades, even walls. I might even start taking my coffee black.

Antique mirror set in black lacquer mullions makes this such a rich space. Even the floor is black lacquer.

Love the combination of black with those copper light fixtures.

It's hard to tell in this photo, but that rug and the wallpaper are actually black. Black and emerald green is such a classic combo and trending hard right now. For more of this look, click here.

This room would sure wake you up.


Just a touch of black adds a little contrast here...


and a lot of contrast here.


For the moodier morning people.

Okay, so this is more of a dining room, but it's one of my favorites. I love the way this black rug grounds this crisp white room. Same for the shades on those emerald porcelain lamps. To order that fabulous light fixture, or any products you like on these pages, just shoot us an email.

Black Nurseries?

Definitely.

Lauren Leiss Interiors, Jenna Lyons in Domino, Ohdeedoh.com

Soft and white, clean and bright...

There's something undeniably soothing about a clean white space

and anything tufted in pure white.

Source: Randall Ridless

Mirrored Panels

Love, lust or just sort of ehh? Personally, I find them Greta Garbo glamourous. They can go Deco chic or Newport Cottage clean. (Yes, I know, most true Newport "cottages" were actually built during the Deco period). I just love the way they throw light (and glam) all around the room, any room. Thoughts? 

(Sources: Windsor Smith, Traditional Home, Better Homes Kitchen and Bath)

The Great Outdoors

First off, I do apologize for the long hiatus! I have been a little MIA. I wish I could say it was basic summer laziness, but the truth is I've been busier than ever! However, this morning I spent sipping my tea and visiting some of my favorite girls. I'm recharged and very inspired.

After months of working on other peoples' places, I've finally started to address the outdoor areas of my own home. I know, it's mid-summer, but considering we entertain outside nearly all year here, It's never too late. This week I'll be sharing lots of thoughts on outdoor spaces.

I'm really loving the ethnic inspired, loungey boho chic feel. There are some great outdoor ikats around these days...

Windsor Smith

Eddie Ross

(Okay technically it was more "event"  than "outdoor")

Veranda

This one above looks like the perfect spot for a margarita party.

Delight by Design

Blue and white still feels so cool and fresh...

               

House Beautiful

I'm finding these two images particularly inspiring, with black and white, boxwood topiaries. Classic yet fun. If only I had room for a tented cabana.

designactually

I think I might be headed toward a patio of Black and White. Think I'll start by painting my old navy wicker black...

House and Garden

Stay tuned...

By the way, we're shooting the latest project this week. Can't wait to show you how that Nantucket style house of blues came out. As soon as I get the shots from the photographer, I'll share them with you all. 

Yellow, black and white...I just love it!

I just read a post on my favorite blog of all time, Chinoiserie Chic, about inheriting our parents' design aesthetic. Do we or don't we? It got me thinking about the bold yet traditional approaches my mother's taken over the years, especially about one approach by which I will forever be awed and impressed: her little ode to yellow, black and white. The year was 1972. I know, I look so young, right? It was our first home in a small, uninspiring new development in Northern California. But Bonnie was not daunted by the banality of this neighborhood. She decorated with gusto; and I will say, she knocked it out of the park. There were peacocks and Eames chairs in the living room, cork walls in the dining area... but it was the kitchen/family area that will forever be branded on my brain. She papered the entire kitchen and adjacent family room in a shiny black vinyl that was covered in a white bamboo trellis. Very similar to the one pictured below... But scattered about every 10-12" over my mother's trellis patterned paper were giant, bold yellow poppies. Tailored white drapes hung in the family room with bright yellow tape at lead edge and along the valance. And over what I'd like to think was a white Saarinen table, was a yellow faux bamboo light fixture. While I can't remember the exact sofa, I know it was black leather with buttons that would catch on my shorts. The whole thing had a very Jonathan Adleresque crispness, along with his sense of humor and fun. Not long ago, after buying Kelly Wearstler's Modern Glamour, I showed these pictures to my mom. She laughed, "Oh my God, it's so 1970's..." We fondly remembered that bright, happy space and in unison we both exclaimed, "I just loved it!"

 

I just found a woman who really loves this color combo! It's her whole blog.

Images: Kelly Wearstler, blackwhiteyellow.