Live Breathe Decor

via hello my pretties

I love the idea of a really bold statement somewhere in my house. I tend to play it safe and keep things neutral and white so I can add and change colour through accessories. Also sometimes I don’t want to live with colour so I like to be able to take it out altogether. BUT I am really drawn to the idea of doing something bolder, but in a small area. Every time I go to Ikea (which seems to be a lot lately) I am drawn to this black and white stripey fabric and I wonder where I could use it. Then I thought, maybe black and white striped wallpaper instead? I love the idea of using one on the inside of a wardrobe or the back of a bookshlef – or maybe a hallway.. I’m wondering about trying this (above) in my little front hallway. It’s small, so the wide horizontal stripes might make it look bigger, and I love the blac-framed photos against it to add some interest. And of course I love the black doors..

source unknown - possibly elle decor or traditional home??

 This stripe (above) reminds me of a large-scale ticking fabric. I like the traditional style and the black bed posts look great against it.

elle decor

 I’d love a little cottage house with an entry and staircase like this (though it’s way bigger than at my house!). I like the beams in the ceiling and the style of the staircase. The black and white striped wallpaper is such a modern and bold contrast to the style of the architecture and the cottagy rounded door, but it works. The pale floor keeps it light and casual.

miles redd in domino

 I like the thinner black and white stripes in Miles Redd’s kitchen. I picture this as working for a little galley kitchen in a small apartment, and it works so well with the green cabinets. There’s that little pop of colour in the pale blue coffee machine!

anne coyle

 Love the classic style of Anne Coyle’s work. these stripes are perfect for me.

I’m not sure if the black and white stripes here (above) are wallpaper or painted on. The horizontal stripes really draw your eye around the room and look great as a backdrop for the art, rather than giving the room height. It’s more cozy this way. I am so drawn to drawings and etchings with mismatched gold and black frames – I know I’ve said it before, but I love ‘colourless’ art walls and this one is gorgeous for me.

via walldigger

 This is an interesting mix of styles (above). The table (I don’t love it), chairs and art are modern, the chandelier is a classic style but modern black in colour, and the wallpaper ties them together. I love those classic ‘navy’ chairs and nearly bought them for my place – they are so great with kids. For me the weakest link here is the dining table, but I’m not a big fan of warm red-toned timbers. If it were me I would stain the floors black and maybe use a white table.

Love this! The headboard looks fab against thos stripes, and love the retro-style bedside table, pillow fabric, clock radio and vintage lamp base. The white waffle blanket, lamp shades and bright whites keep it modern. This is such a fun and interesting room and the pop of colour (lovely aqua lamp) is great.

brown design inc.

 Black, white and yellow is always a great colour match. The black, white and greay horizontal stripes here are classic and modern at the same time but not as overpowering a statement as wide black and white alone. The mirror, black laquered asian-style table and zebra stools are all strong elements in their own right so that they work with the wallpaper and force the paper into the background. Imagine if the mirror and table were plain white – it would still look great, but the walls would then be the main feature. Gee, I could go on about decorating all day!

elle decor