Everything can look good in shades of black and white
There’s nothing drab about black and white... if you have style
Candy colours and tropical jungle prints may go ‘in’ and ‘out’ of fashion as quick as you can say Irish summer but a timeless monochrome scheme can prove just as visually eye catching when done right.
The apartment of stylish blogger Desiree Groenendal is a master class in pulling off this limited palette.
With clean, white walls, exposed concrete panels and some savvy decorating decisions, her stunning home oozes charm and personality.
Impressively, the colours black and white are strictly adhered to throughout, resulting in a dramatic interior, but her clever use of textures combined with personal touches like her artistic clusters of photographs, prints and inspirational quotations make the space feel really friendly and interesting.
Rustic cream bowls and sleek black ceramics are stacked around the slick monochrome kitchen where she has daringly painted a black feature wall.
‘People get so nervous about painting walls in dark, theatrical colours, but I say: just do it. If you don’t like it, you can always just paint over it. Paint is only temporary, so have some fun with it.’
In her minimalist bedroom she layers patterned bedding with crisp white linens alongside one-off industrialstyle furniture like vintage lockers while black hangers on a designer-style clothes rail complete the edgy look.
Desiree’s simple living room is further evidence of her commitment to all things monochrome. Mis-matched bold graphic cushions dotting her sofa complement the carefully selected natural accessories such as wicker baskets and wooden stools.
She opts for grey floors over white adding further interest with a large woven circular rug.
‘I love my grey floors,’ she says. ‘White floors can be a bit harsh – but grey gives a softer look and links the contrasting black and white elements in my home together.’
This is an edited extract from Design Bloggers At Home by Ellie Tennant, photography by Rachel Whiting (Ryland Peters & Small, €25). You can find Desiree Groenendal’s design blog on vogesparis.blogspot.co.uk