Black and white rugs give the room a wonderfully bold, authentically graphic appeal. They create a classic elegance that is always fresh.

When designing a room, we often use stark contrast to add dimension and drama to the decor. To include a black and white stripe, or a buffalo plaid, or a traditional French toile can often give structure to all the other colors, patterns, and textures in the room. To introduce extreme contrasting colors in a room tends to give punctuation to the room, and adds pizazz, like ground pepper on a baked potato. It can be pattern or solid blocks of color.

A black and white rug can be an animal skin pattern, such as zebra or tiger, or it can be a stripe, a checkerboard pattern, a tweedy look (berber), a toile, or a linear drawing that is actually woven. It can be calligraphic, such as hand writing. How interesting and whimsical is that! There are so many interpretations of this theme, all of them appealing and decorative, all of them distinctive.

Black and white rugs are very versatile and can be used in many different kinds of settings. Contemporary interiors often combine black and white rugs and other furnishings with brightly colored lacquered furniture, smooth metals, patent leather, woven textures and ceramics. Casual traditional settings, such as country French use black and white pattern quite often to offset other patterns and colors. Toiles and mattress ticking stripes, and gingham checks of one color on a white ground are often used in country French settings.

We love the look of a black and white striped rug because it tends to organize and give structure to the room. That’s why designers often go for zebra pattern which is always chic and never seems to go out of style. I’m an animal lover, so I would never use the actual skin, but the printed or woven counterpart is absolutely fine and very decorative.

If your decorating preference is for a stark, black and white graphic look, go for it! But be careful that your room doesn’t come off “cold looking”. I would warm it up a bit by introducing a spot of color, even if it’s a neutral, such as a warm gray or beige. It could be a stunning way to go, and very sophisticated. I would suggest not going with an optic white on walls and woodwork, or even fabrics, but rather choose a livelier white, such as ivory or linen. Benjamin Moore’s “Navajo” is a great paint color. Don’t worry. It still registers white, but it radiates more warmth and liveliness.

Black and white rugs can be used beautifully in a contemporary setting. Also great in a retro setting that looks very ’50’s mod. The “new” retro combines this color scheme with fuschia, orange (very 60’s), yellow, and/or turquoise. Black and white rugs can be used effectively in traditional settings that incorporate woven textures, traditional prints, and solid colors.

Whatever look you want to create in your home, be sure to make it 100% “you”. Your surroundings should always be an expression of who you are. Your designer is a skilled professional with experience, talent and taste. Your designer has the skill to bring it all together for you. Ultimately, the home should reflect the people living in it. That’s the way to make your living quarters “home”.

Select your beautiful black and white rug and design your imaginative and fabulous room.

Joan S

Article originally published at Source by Joan Saloomey