By
Jaima Brown (ARA)
Remember the old
joke: What's black and white and read
all over? Although that joke, along
with its punch line, the newspaper,
as well as black and white television,
may all be obsolete, the fashion caché
of black on white and vice versa is
never out of style. Like the little
black dress, this distinctive combination
reeks of sophistication.
Home fashion's
recurring appetite for the clear-cut
distinction of black and white decorating
is back in style. One reason is a
growing taste for classic modern style,
which originated in Europe in the
1930s. Black and white provides
an ideal complement for the clean
lines of modern furnishings.
Another reason,
however, is the versatility of black
and white. Perfect as it is for
contemporary rooms, it also adds clarity
and sophistication to more traditional
surroundings. Like a classic string
of pearls, black and white décor
is comfortable in any surrounding --
formal to casual, vintage to cutting
edge, urban penthouse to country cottage
and everything in between.
The combination
of black and white is also right for
any room, by itself or accented with
color -- from bright to subtle.
In kitchens, black and white walls,
ceilings and/or checkerboard flooring
present the perfect counterpart to
black appliances and also reflect
the glamour of stainless steel.
Black and
white in a powder room makes an easy
transition from the rooms beside it.
And don't count out the drama black
and white brings to a living room,
dining room or bedroom and master
bath. In the latter, the contrast
of a positive/negative effect works
especially well. Paper the bedroom
in a pattern of black on white, for
example; then reverse the two in an
adjacent bath, dressing area or inside
a walk-in closet.
Independence
Day Toile from the Jaima
Brown Home Parasol
collection brings the fine, etched
quality of French toile fabric home
to America. The scenes depict icons
of Washington, D.C., including the
Capital building and Jefferson Memorial
along with script passages from the
Declaration of Independence. This
is truly a take-a-second-look pattern.
Rendered in black and white, it is
sure to be read all over.
Match it with
Federal Harlequin, also from Parasol.
Perfectly linear stretches of tiny black
laurel leaves criss-cross in a classic
diamond pattern, which is among the
most sophisticated of complementary
decorating designs. Cabana,
a pattern of black and white awning
stripes from Parasol, not only complements
any other black and white pattern, but
also, installed vertically, makes a
short room seem tall, or, installed
horizontally, broadens the vista of
the smallest of rooms.
Sonata, a graceful
damask from the Sarong collection,
also from Jaima Brown Home, proves
the timelessness of black and white.
Like
Independence Day toile, this pattern
provides an unobtrusive backdrop for
furnishings and architectural details,
but becomes increasingly interesting
in close-up. It makes an especially
grand entrance of a two-story foyer,
for instance, where it connects the
décor of the first floor with
the hallway and rooms above.
To see more black
and white fashion and all of the fine
fabric and wallpaper patterns in Sarong,
Parasol and other Jaima Brown Home
collections, call (888) 865-0200 or
visit www.jaimabrownhome.com. Jaima
Brown Home collections are available
through interior designers and select
designer showrooms.
Courtesy of ARA
Content Image: Independence Day toile
in the Parasol
collection from Jaima Brown Home
depicts all-American icons in true
toile fashion. Image: Federal Harlequin,
a perfect black-and-white companion
pattern, is from the same Parasol
collection. Image: Sonata, a graceful
damask in the Jaima Brown Home Sarong
collection, proves the timelessness
of black and white decorating.
Looking for more Black
and White, also visit the Black
and White Collection.
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