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!

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Armani' Inspired

Armani's Fashion Philosophy skirt and blouse with Blush screen in Macassar ebony. The Borromini linen chaise, Boreal rabbit throw and Burt rug exude elegance.

Bold geometric patterns, shimmering black pleats and refined textures define the latest collection from legendary designer Giorgio Armani. But don't think these seasonal trends are exclusive to the fashion runway. Armani was one of the first high-profile fashion figures to enter the world of home furnishings, translating a design aesthetic into a range of home products from furniture and textiles to accessories and tabletop. Launched in 2000 as a separate division within the Giorgio Armani Group, Armani/Casa embodies the Italian icon's inimitable style, bringing the same sophistication and timeless elegance of his fashion sense to his collection of understated interior decor.

Armani's extension into the home is consistent with the designer's fashion philosophy and language. "The process of creating products for the home and for fashion collections is very similar," he says. "Both skills require an ability to imagine things in three dimensions and to translate sketches into reality. In both cases, it is the precision and finesse that will make all the difference." The furnishings are designed to fit specific zones in the home: living, dining, bedroom, study, kitchen and bath. Each season, additional lines are introduced to complement the existing ones.

In the midst of a recession and with much fanfare, Armani recently opened his 47,000-square-foot U.S. store in midtown Manhattan, bringing all of his labels under one roof. Blending effortlessly with tailored suits and couture dresses, Armani has transcended fashion to become an all-inclusive luxury lifestyle brand.

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