Black, brown or navy walls can be extremely beautiful in photographs, but is impractical [...]]]> Black and white decorating is a classical Hollywood Regency decorating scheme.  Working with two pretty basic colors can be a bit intimidating to put together, but the trick is to start with one piece you absolutely love and then work around that one piece.

Black, brown or navy walls can be extremely beautiful in photographs, but is impractical in most spaces.  There is a few tips to keep in mind before deciding on the darkest color of the spectrum.  First, black eats up any available light.  If there is not extra natural light coming into a room, be prepared to install ceiling lights and mirrors that will bring in the additional lighting.  When choosing paint finishes, consider a gloss, or satin instead of flat.  The draw back to gloss finishes is they show the imperfections in walls, when you choose a gloss finish.   Shiny or satin black walls do give a professional feel than a chalkboard look.  Another professional trick is to layer on lighter colors.  Pictures, paintings and drapes will bring in the light on a dark wall.  Dark paint colors do make a space look larger if you layer on the details, because it creates a depth to the eye.

Architectural details keeps the eyes interest.  Consider crown moulding, chair rails, and a bold fireplace that is ceiling height.  Do not have a dozen different black and white patterns in the room.  Choose a couple patterns at the most, and add other colors into the design.   Plain black and white white go a long way.  Add metal as an accessory on your cabinetry, chests, dressers, and chairs.  Gold and Silver is a neutral like black and white, so it is not seen as a complementary color.  Decorating your furniture and cabinets with decorative hardware will give your furniture and upgrade as well as adding interest to your space.  Don't be afraid to try something bold in bright or dark, because often times it doesn't pays off until the design is completed. 

Regency Decorating With Black and White

Regency Style with a ping pong table!  The white really is stiking against the black.  Sid Mashburn From Brilliant Asylum Blog

Pair of Black Lacquered Sofa-end or Bedside Tables Seller Antiquario Villas & Cottages

Regency Decorating With Black and White

Black paint wall color, with turquoise, blue, white, ivory, and cream dining room colors.  Regency Styled Chairs.

Regency Faux Rosewood Etagere c.1820 Seller Philip Colleck

Hollywood Regency Style Coffee Table Seller John Yaconetti Antiques

Ebonized Desk Seller Sarlo

Regency Decorating With Black Furniture Lots of Color

Silk blue drapes paired with a mahogany antique desk follow the black and white simplicity.  The blue paint wall color and drapes are a huge impact in color.  Blue, blue, black, brown and white colors are used.   Thanks to House of Turquoise!

Regency style cutlery boxes Seller Saniel Stein Antiques INC

Kelly Wearstler’s Hollywood Regency Style -The Viceroy Santa Monica

Pair of Regency Side Tables Seller John Yaconetti Antiques

Regency Style Architecture- Regent's Park, London

Pair of Regency style stools Seller Milord Antiquites

Regency Style Three Tiered Bronze Etagere Seller Coupdetat

Mahogany And Black Leather Regency Arm Chair By Hickory Chair Seller Assemblage

Regency Decorating - Markham Roberts

Hollywood Regency Styled Room.  Navy painted bookcases lined with Gold accents.  Patterned Regency style rugs and books bring in the light and interest- Designer Markham Roberts

19TH CENTURY ENGLISH WRITING OR SOFA TABLE IN MAHOGANY Seller Andrew Spindler Antiques