The atrium at Villa Savoye
August 26, 2024

10 Iconic Black and White Interiors with Pops of Color

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7 min read

Summary

This article explores the timeless appeal of black-and-white interiors accented with bold pops of color, a design approach that has been admired across cultures and eras. From the Viceroy Santa Monica to Villa Savoye, these ten iconic spaces showcase how a monochromatic palette can be both sophisticated and versatile. The article also provides tips for incorporating this classic style into your home, emphasizing the importance of texture, patterns, and the strategic use of color.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can the balance between black-and-white and pops of color in interior design influence the mood and atmosphere of a space?
  2. What elements of black-and-white interiors make them so adaptable and timeless across different cultures and historical periods?
  3. How can you incorporate vintage and modern pieces in a black-and-white space to create a personal and unique design?

Journal Prompt

Reflect on a space in your home or a place you’ve visited that effectively uses a black-and-white color scheme with pops of color. How did the design make you feel? Consider how you could apply similar principles to create a space that reflects your personal style while maintaining a timeless elegance.

Write Journal

When we think of spaces that stand the test of time, black-and-white interiors with vibrant splashes of bold, saturated color often come to mind. This black-and-white design approach, so frequently seen in elegant French interiors, has been admired and adopted across various cultures and throughout history. Its enduring popularity is not just a testament to its timeless elegance but also to its versatility. A black-and-white space is the perfect backdrop for pops of color in artwork, accessories, and more. This concept has left a lasting impression on everything from the Line Hotel in San Francisco to the Château de Fabrègues. Let’s explore ten of our very favorite interiors that incorporate black, white, and pops of color!

10 Iconic Black-and-White Interiors with Pops of Color

In ancient Chinese art, the interplay of these two colors symbolized balance and harmony, while in the Art Deco movement of the early 20th century, black-and-white interiors epitomized modernity and luxury. This enduring combination continues to captivate, offering endless possibilities for creating spaces that are as adaptable as they are sophisticated. Here’s to black-and-white interior design!

#1 The Viceroy Santa Monica Powder Room

The Viceroy Santa Monica, reimagined by interior designer Kelly Wearstler in 2000, is a stunning example of modern luxury infused with eclectic elements. Originally a luxury hotel, Wearstler’s redesign introduced bold patterns, vibrant colors, and a blend of traditional and contemporary styles throughout the space.

Wearstler’s design truly shines in the powder room. The space elevates a classic black-and-white palette with a vibrant green accent wall juxtaposed against striking perpendicular lines of tile and a boldly painted black door. What could have been a simple, understated space is transformed into a contemporary, eclectic masterpiece that perfectly encapsulates Wearstler’s distinctive style.

#2 The Mark Hotel Lobby in New York

For those who are interested in fashion, this location might look familiar, this hotel is known as the “unofficial red carpet” of the Met Gala each May. While the building was constructed in 1927 and has always been a hotel, this lobby is the product of a redesign in 2009 by Jacques Grange.

The lines of the flooring create a unique pattern that is traced throughout the lobby. Reds, pinks, and other colors serve as the wow factor, and the incorporation of art and sculpture enhances the desired effect of the design.

#3 The Wolseley Restaurant in London

This restaurant in London is the perfect blend of historical and modern, with many aspects of the original design still incorporated. The black and white dining room was redesigned by David Collins in 2003, and many people consider it a fixture of the city.

Originally a prestigious car showroom, then a bank, this space has maintained its art deco style with pops of gold instead of bold color, including the black cabinetry of the bar with its gold accents. Its geometric marble flooring and domed ceiling are most notable, the original elements that still stand. 

#4 Villa Savoye Outside Paris

Just a short metro ride northwest of Paris, in the quaint French town of Poissy, there is a historical landmark: a modernist villa. Villa Savoye was built in 1928 as a family home, designed by Le Corbusier, but was quickly abandoned in 1940 when the family fled the area due to World War II. In 1965, after a turbulent period of ownership, the home was dedicated as a historical monument, which cemented itself as a valuable piece of architectural history.

In a time when Art Deco ruled the whole of France, Le Corbusier and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret designed a modernist home in direct opposition, creating a nearly completely white interior. The different shades of blue contrasting with the white walls provide a creative take on “pops of color” and are a great starting point when working with white interior design ideas. 

#5 Nate Berkus’ Historic French Project

This project is the product of designers Nate Berkus and Lauren Buxbaum Gordon. While the location and details have not been fully released, sneak peeks can provide valuable insight into what a subtle pop of color can do in black-and-white interiors. The rusty-colored marble fireplace, combined with fresh flowers, is enough to liven the neutral room. The solid grey fabrics used on the throw pillow and the off-white chairs bring coziness to the room. The home’s inviting design with touches of luxury, such as the crown molding on the wall, promises a completed project that might be one of his finest.

#6 This Hall Designed by William Hefner

William Hefner’s work here perfectly uses subtle pops of color that still stand out. His practice embraces both new and restoration architecture, interior design, and even landscaping in both traditional and modern styles.

Because of his passion for both the old and new, he is a leader in environmental building and sustainable practices, which is the ideal designer to bring the timelessness of black and white to the modern and unexpected pop of color. The iridescent console and the frame at the end of the hallway connecting the entry to the dining room provide the pinkish hues, and the gold accents provide an additional “pop.” These elements pair perfectly with the classic checkerboard tile floor. 

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#7 This Pierre Lacroix Apartment in Monceau

Interior and furniture designer Pierre Lacroix has a reputation for deep colors, but this unexpected brown, with its earthy color scheme, is an inspired take on the classic black-and-white color combination.

A private home completed in 2021, the textures, from the rope rocking chairs by Charlotte Perriand to the brown velvet sofa to the woven rug, are particularly helpful in modernizing the space. The modern brass chandelier is also a noteworthy design choice that makes this space impeccably designed.

#8 This Residence by Jacques Grange

Jacques Grange is a fixture of the interior design world with a client list including Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Bergé, Karl Lagerfeld, and the Princess of Monaco. He also designed the Mark Hotel Lobby, another project on this list. When Studio QD asked Grange to explain his style, he talked about his “attraction to ‘strange balances’ and his desire to mix ‘something very rough with something very refined.’”

That desire is on full display in this residence. Among the notable features is the ceiling, which has a textured white design. The floors are unique, with abstract modern artwork adding reds and blues to create visual interest. This hôtel particulier is Grange’s ode to the 19th century, fitting as the mansion was built in 1872. This room showcases his maximalist sense without saturating the room with colors. 

#9 The Living Room of Caroline Andreoni’s Saint Martin Project

This living room inside a jewelry showroom brings warmth and softness to the aesthetic, allowing the jewelry to be the centerpiece of the space. It’s evident that Andreoni’s mantra, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” is on full display here. The play between the materials and the curves of the couch and its pillows, combined with the soft pops of pink, is the perfect balancing act for the ornate gold mirror and the chandeliers. It’s feminine but subtly so.

#10 Pierre Yovanovitch’s Château de Fabrègues Vestibule

This massive château in the south of France is the home of designer Pierre Yovanovitch, who featured it in his book Pierre Yovanovitch: Interior Architecture. In it, he describes this château as an opportunity to express his taste, and he has done so, from the master bedroom down the vestibule.

The pop of blues in both the artwork and the paint color of the wainscoting keeps the space light and reflects the blue from the outdoors as you enter. Instead of a black-and-white interior, this is a white palette with black furniture and sculpture, which is a genius approach to this design style.

Final Thoughts: Tips for Putting Your Spin on Classic Black-and-White

If you are looking to incorporate a black-and-white palette into your house, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Incorporate textures where you can to add depth and interest. Like many examples in this list, introducing patterns in rugs, cushions, and wallpapers can add visual intrigue. Since black and white is a classic palette, you can be playful with bold or deep accent colors through accessories such as a throw pillow or vase; just make sure you are sparing with accents so your eyes can rest across the space. 

Playing with lighting can also enhance the contrast of black, white, and color while also providing drama through chandeliers or statement lights. Most importantly, mix modern furniture with vintage pieces to make the home not only more personal, but a home with character. This pairing will also last you if you enjoy the space, because it is a long-standing and versatile concept that can easily continue to be updated. Because simplicity is timeless, this elegant design style is going to be around for years to come.

By Jessica Collins.