Black, White and Beautiful All Over
Save up to 30% on your energy bills - click here to find out more
Remember the old joke: What's black and white
and read all over? Although that joke, along with its
punch line, the newspaper, as well as black and white
television, may all be obsolete, the fashion caché of black on white and vice versa is never out of style.
Like the little black dress, this distinctive combination
reeks of sophistication.
Home fashion's recurring appetite
for the clear-cut distinction of black and white decorating
is back in style. One reason is a growing taste for
classic modern style, which originated in Europe in
the 1930s. Black and white provides an ideal complement
for the clean lines of modern furnishings.
Another reason, however, is the
versatility of black and white. Perfect as it is for
contemporary rooms, it also adds clarity and sophistication
to more traditional surroundings. Like a classic string
of pearls, black and white décor is comfortable
in any surrounding -- formal to casual, vintage to cutting
edge, urban penthouse to country cottage and everything
in between.
The combination of black and white
is also right for any room, by itself or accented with
color -- from bright to subtle. In kitchens, black and
white walls, ceilings and/or checkerboard flooring present
the perfect counterpart to black appliances and also
reflect the glamour of stainless steel.
Black and white in a powder room
makes an easy transition from the rooms beside it. And
don't count out the drama black and white brings to
a living room, dining room or bedroom and master bath.
In the latter, the contrast of a positive/negative effect
works especially well. Paper the bedroom in a pattern
of black on white, for example; then reverse the two
in an adjacent bath, dressing area or inside a walk-in
closet.
Independence Day toile from the
Jaima Brown Home Parasol collection brings the fine,
etched quality of French toile fabric home to America.
The scenes depict icons of Washington, D.C., including
the Capital building and Jefferson Memorial along with
script passages from the Declaration of Independence.
This is truly a take-a-second-look pattern. Rendered
in black and white, it is sure to be read all over.
Match it with Federal Harlequin,
also from Parasol. Perfectly linear stretches of tiny
black laurel leaves criss-cross in a classic diamond
pattern, which is among the most sophisticated of complementary
decorating designs. Cabana, a pattern of black and white
awning stripes from Parasol, not only complements any
other black and white pattern, but also, installed vertically,
makes a short room seem tall, or, installed horizontally,
broadens the vista of the smallest of rooms.
Sonata, a graceful damask from
the Sarong collection, also from Jaima Brown Home, proves
the timelessness of black and white. Like Independence
Day toile, this pattern provides an unobtrusive backdrop
for furnishings and architectural details, but becomes
increasingly interesting in close-up. It makes an especially
grand entrance of a two-story foyer, for instance, where
it connects the décor of the first floor with
the hallway and rooms above.
To see more black and white fashion
and all of the fine fabric and wallpaper patterns in
Sarong, Parasol and other Jaima Brown Home collections,
call (888) 865-0200 or visit www.jaimabrownhome.com.
Jaima Brown Home collections are available through interior
designers and select designer showrooms.
|
