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How to Decorate With a Touch of Black

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There is an old saying which is that every room can use a “touch of black.” This is true if the room is primarily white. The color black can add a focal point that grounds and adds a sophisticated look to a room. The best places to add a touch of black to aroma are in the trims of rugs or linens or curtains, in pillows, rugs or in a single black piece such as a black vase or black ottoman.

A bit of a black can give drama and sophistication to any color of décor but to get a really great effect make sure it is contrasted with a white room? This can lead to a very contemporary look if you are companioning black and white with a lot of metallic fixtures and furniture but originally this type of style was called Country French.

If you do not like the Tuxedo or Zebra effect that can come from using a lot of black and white décor then you can also accent areas that are yellow, cream, red or purple with swaths of black to create a striking looking interior. The darker the colors, such as navy or royal purple, the more elegant the effect will be. The lighter the colors are to contrast against the white, such as an aqua and black, the more whimsical it will be. Kitchens and bathrooms look best in the whimsical style as do fifties retro rooms. The darker colors contrasted with black are more associated with the eighties especially emerald green or crimson red combined with black. Deep purple and black is more of a Goth look from the mind nineties and pink and black is associate with the early part of the first decade of this century as well as the 1930s.

One way to gently incorporate touches of black into your décor is to install a black and white tiled floor. You do not have to go for the checkered look; an occasional strategically placed black tile is usually enough to do the trick. You can also add black to a kitchen or bathroom by installing black tiles on a backsplash or in the shower. Sometimes all you need to liven up a bathroom is black towels or a black shower curtain.

When adding black to a bedroom stick to pillows, curtains and maybe the bed spread or sham. The best black and white prints to use for a contemporary stylish effect are florals and plaids.

How to Decorate in Swedish Style

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The Swedish style of interior decorating is refined, casual and simple all at the same time. The designer Carl Larsson (1853-1919) is generally credited with creating and popularizing this decorating style which is airy, pale and light. The reason things are so light is to reflect light during long dark months when little light gets inside the house.

To decorate in this style make sure that furniture is painted or stained in pale tones of white, cream, pink, yellow green and gray. Accents on the trim are usually gold or gray. Blue pottery, pillows or small tables often accent this type of look. Tiny prints and patterns, usually of birds or flowers, are also typical of this style. Favorite fabrics used on windows and as part of furniture oared linen and cotton. Checks, tiny plaids and ginghams prints are also common. Most fabrics in Swedish decorating usually involve color on a white background.

Although the style is a bit austere it is known for its well padded benches and chairs with tie back cushions. The legs of tables and chairs are often delicately fluted, like deer legs. The stole is also identified by hutches with humped arched tops and many panes of glass on the doors. Knobs on cupboards and doors should be wooden, round and plain or a brass color.

Floors, tables and most furniture are made of soft woods such as birch beech, alder and white pine. These are also often pointed or stained with white paints. Sometimes tables and floors are stained with low contrast stripes or geometric soft colors in pinks, reds, greens, yellows and blues. Rugs also tend to have geometric designs in pale colors. Sometimes door and cupboard panels and door frames are lightly stenciled with birds, flowers and delicate patterns.

Another characteristic of this style is mirrored tiles in every room. Pairs of wall sconces light up the sides of entrances and closets. Simple oval framed mirrors also help reflect the light.

Delicate crystal chandeliers and iron chandeliers painted white or a pastel color also are part of the Swedish style of décor. They do not tend to be overly ornate. Simple vases of clear glass or cream colored ceramics are used to hold vases of flowers.

Motifs such as swags of ribbons, wreathes of flowers, sheaves of wheat, hearts and scrolling natural depictions are also seen as part of Swedish design. Oval shapes of all kinds are quite common.