The combination of black and white may evoke the image of a bygone era — one of vintage excess, the glossy, chequerboard ballroom floors of the 1920s and art deco dressing rooms — but the new modern monochrome is all about bringing period properties up to date with slick minimalism.
Take Black & White Mews, a house in Primrose Hill, London, refurbished by Threefold Architects with the aim of maximising floor area and natural light. A strong but restrained palette — stark white walls, handleless white cabinetry and whitewashed brickwork — is punctuated with black detailing in the form of window frames, lamps and wall lights, a matt black shower and matt black wall-mounted taps. The palette draws your attention to the original fabric of the building and its industrial heritage, creating a look, the architect says, of “cool austerity, embedded with warmth and character”.
The key to monochrome appearing modern, rather than harsh, heavy or overly bling, is that restraint. Black & White Mews has no skirting boards, cornices or architraves and no unnecessary adornment or pattern. A simple set of rules emphasises the elements of each room with contrasting shades. The effect is to highlight an expanse of beautiful polished concrete or Douglas fir flooring. “The qualities of these materials stand out against the backdrop of white on almost all other internal surfaces,” says Matthew Driscoll, a director of Threefold Architects.
“The extensive use of white elsewhere shifts the focus on to texture rather than tone, and emphasises the play of natural and artificial light across different surfaces, which gives depth to the spaces. The use of black is confined to elements of function or movement, which, set against the white, become reminiscent of lines or markings on a drawing.”
Alex Holden, the managing director at the architectural interior design studio Oliver Burns, favours a monochrome palette and believes that the secret to creating a successful black and white interior is allowing one colour to be a dominant partner.
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“Texture is a fundamental element in any interior, but within a monochrome design, using soft, luxurious fabrics in a variety of finishes will help to bring the space to life,” Holden says. “Introducing pure grey to a black-and-white scheme is an easy way to balance what is often seen as a stark contrast. This approach works particularly well in bedrooms and living spaces, where a subtler palette may be required to achieve a restful night’s sleep.”
Black adds depth and absorbs light, while white illuminates, so introducing metallics can brighten a monochrome interior. Antique brass or nickel create a traditional feel, while copper and rose gold are more modern. Organic materials, such as wood, work well to soften everything; teak or Douglas fir would be Holden’s choices for a contemporary space. Black is increasingly found in the bathroom or kitchen, contrasted with white marble surfaces, white tiles with black or very dark grey grout, and pale wooden or grey flooring.
Carolyn Bullivant, the managing director at Bradshaw Luxury, a domestic appliances business, says black is enjoying a moment, especially in subtle matt form. “One place that we’re seeing a lot of matt black is in the kitchen,” she explains. “Matt black can be incredibly dramatic, can act as an accent, or ground an otherwise airy space. It’s timeless yet modern, whether you’re confident enough to kit out your whole kitchen in black or just want to experiment with a few black appliances.”
The same is true of radiators, says Barbara Payne, the head of design at the radiator company Bisque who finds that many customers ask for an alternative to the classic white radiator, but are not brave enough to opt for a bright colour.
Black draws your attention, adding extra interest to a room without being overbearing. “Black is so often considered a ‘harsh’ colour to use in the home,” says Payne, “but there are numerous ways to incorporate a monochrome scheme without it looking too plain or pristine.”
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If you want a modern take on Victoriana, consider a stand-alone bathtub in black, rather than white, against a white-tiled room. Victoria + Albert has introduced a range of “classic colour finishes”, from soft greys to anthracite, and gloss and matt blacks, which, says Jonathan Carter, the marketing director, have a “real boutique hotel-style feel about them.”
He adds: “Even last week we had someone approach us who was hoping to recreate the look of a hotel she’d recently stayed in, which featured a matt black bath and basin. You can create a striking look by pairing these with metallic accents, particularly brass taps and accessories. Co-ordinating finishes are key; it’s such an easy detail to get right.”
Be more careful with monochrome patterns. If you want black and white stripes, use sparingly and mainly on accessories. Lee Broom’s line for Wedgwood, for example, features slim black-and-white-striped vases and bowls resting on brightly coloured spheres. It is a classic but very modern combination, Broom says, which brings a sense of edge to a space, but one he believes is best left as an accent rather than an entire interior concept. “When you are using it [black and white stripes] in your home you need to break it down to a wall hanging, a cushion or a vase.”
Tiles are another way to add a more restrained black-and-white pattern. Consider hexagon mosaics for a more up-to-date take, or lay black and white wall tiles in a herringbone or basketweave pattern to create a three-dimensional depth, rather than a traditional brick bond or chequerboard design.
“There’s a trend towards dark and dramatic palettes at the moment, and monochrome tiles are perfect for introducing a pretty, decorative touch that ensures that even the darkest schemes look inviting, rather than austere,” says Tara Rees, a brand manager, at Fired Earth.
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“Fired Earth’s hand-antiqued Marrakech tiles have a vintage finish that works beautifully against a backdrop of crushed-velvet black Top Hat, [a paint Fired Earth describes as being the faded colour of a well-worn top hat].”
