How to Balance Black & White

Q: I love decorating in black and white, but I’m finding it difficult to create balance in my bedroom. The result is always either too dark or insufficiently dramatic. Any expert tips?

A: Professional home stager and design consultant Sarah Macklem suggests “mixing patterns and textures, and combining them with soft, muted neutrals. I love to use black and white accessories to become a feature, as opposed to overpowering the room. Another way to soften the look of black and white is to combine it with natural textures like dried hydrangea, for example. Black and white décor is timeless. One way to keep a space from appearing too dark is to use a lighter complementary color, as well as white and cream, to provide contrast.”

By Rebecca J. Razo

Color and Pattern Basics

Q: How can I mix and match colors and patterns without overwhelming the eye?

Photograph courtesy of Thinkstock.com

A: San Francisco interior designer Tineke Triggs of Artistic Designs for Living offers her expert tips, emphasizing balance to keep from weighing down a your bedroom decor: “A typical design mistake is to employ multiple solid colors into a design without any patterns; however, you also have to be careful not to have too many different things competing with each other. You don’t want too much of any one pattern overtaking a space. For example, you don’t want to have all stripes, all florals or all damask patterns. Choose one floral, one stripe, one solid and one trellis or damask in complementary colors, and then distribute them evenly throughout the space. Additionally, use big prints to make bold statements in just one or two smaller pieces, such as a throw pillow or a chair, which can be easily replaced if you decide that you don’t like them.”

By Rebecca J. Razo