Mixed Bag Designing with Black

Kelly Wearstler is a decorator with her own studio, House of KWID (Kelly Wearstler Interior Design) and is particularly well-known for colorful mod-baroque commercial interiors, such as those of the Viceroy hotels in Palm Springs and Santa Monica, the Avalon in Beverly Hills, and the Tides in Miami Beach. She is currently a design judge on the second season of Bravo reality television show Top Design, and her books include Domicilium Decoratus (Harper Collins, 2006) and Modern Glamour: The Art of Unexpected Style (Collins Design, 2004).
Kelly Wearstler designs featured at Neiman Marcus

Below are more mixed bag ideas for using black in your home decor color scheme.





Armani inspired custom pillows

Sometimes the most sophisticated nuances of any home décor are in the subtle accents and props that create design harmony. Décor that is interesting as it is beautiful can be achieved by maintaining a comfortable balance between the look and function of a room.

The simplicity of the black bar stools adds elegance to the black bar.



Armani inspired fashions and accessories using basic black



Bath designs using black accents simply speaks elegant

I love this for a bistro theme, the tassels don't seem to fit. I would have added a colorful accent rug to blend all of the colors in the room for a focal point.

Tables and lamp accents in black




Coco Chanel and Armani all use it as a base, now trends using black in kitchens are making their debut. When using black make sure their is plenty of natural light. You can create light by spot lighting certain areas in the room, then go wild with your colors. Bring in the glass, chrome or mirrors, which will also keep it light and airy!

Animal Instinct

I placed this leopard statue under my personal coffee table. Decorating with animal accents allows creativity to go wild!!!! (Pun Intended!!!)

These hand drawn animal prints are a personal private collection given to me by two of my favorite and very creative friends. They know I love accenting with animal pictures, statues, etc.

My friend drew this picture which was featured on the back cover of a national geographic photograph.

One of my favorites!!!!

I am always in search of accents with animals and this was a gift by another friend who knew my style of decorating with black, animals and oriental touches.

.

Now that you know my love for designing around animal accents. I was so excited to find another designer that shares that love and I am making his home the "Featured Home of the Month"!!!!!!

I found his photographs at HG and emailed him asking permission to publish his room. WOW, guess I can spot them, it turns out he is a creative designer living in Atlanta and also working on his own reinvented vintage style clothing line for ladies, a high end suits line fashioned after the late great Coco Chanel. His website is under construction and I will publish that information when he has completed it. Lon has used the basic black theme, which I love and created lovely rooms with his animal accents and fabric selections.( Chanel created the classic design of the little black dress) as we realize clothing fashion will flow into home interior fashion.
In this photograph Lon has a great accent chair and has covered the cushion in yet a different print pulling it all together as a focal point into the room.

I love the total look here, clean, stylish and comfortable!!!


Accenting the photo, Lon selected this leopard frame , a simple yet perfect touch.



How chic!!! BRAVO!!! to you Lon, can't wait to see all of the clothing line. It is a privilege to showcase such a multi-talented designer.


This is one sample of Lon's clothing line!!! Talk about animal instinct...we will keep you posted when his website is up and running and provide a link.

Just the name, Coco Chanel, was enough to define a pair of shoes, a hat, a purse, a suit, perfume, jewelry-an entire look. It conveyed prestige, quality, impeccable taste and unmistakable style.
Since Coco Chanel introduced it in 1926, the little black dress, has become the epitome of timeless fashion. It is the answer to every "What should I wear to..." question from cocktail parties to casinos to class reunions. Just add pearls or completely change the look by adding color accessories or a patterned scarf . It is the same concept many designers use in homes or offices , simply changing the accessories changes the total look for a timeless design.
As a concept, the little black dress has even moved on to represent an ideal of a perfectly simple, yet sexy object. Even the computer industry recognizes the need to inject a bit of "little black dress" into its design and marketing.
A fashion anomaly, the concept of the little black dress never changes, much unlike the trend-crazed home interior and fashion industry.

. http://womenshistory.about.com/od/chanelcoco/a/coco_chanel.htm