Black + White Living Room

A black and white living room may sound a bit harsh, but done the right way, it can turn out beautifully. Below are some tips on how to achieve a black and white scheme while still maintaining a sense of coziness.

• Opt for slightly off-whites
• Incorporate gold or silver metals through table legs, lamps and other accessories
• Mix patterns (throw pillows and blankets are an easy way to do this)
• Warm up the room with an area rug
• Add artwork and / or framed photos
• Play with different shapes (ex. a round mirror, square frames, asymmetrical area rug)

Check out the round-up below of black and white living rooms done right!

Photo: Bloglovin

Photo: Centsational Girl

Photo: This is Glamorous

Photo: Decor8

Photo: Pop Sugar

Photo: Decor Pad

Photo: Decozilla

Photo: Design Sponge

Favorite Patterns: Ikat

Adding pattern to a space is always a great way to liven up the look. A very popular pattern these days is Ikat. Traditionally, Ikat is a fabric in which the yarns have been tie-dyed before weaving (Merriam-Webster). Ikats come in a variety of colors and patterns, and can be found on almost any home decor item that you can imagine. I even have an Ikat pillow in my new throw pillow line! Get inspired by the great Ikat-filled spaces and products below.

Photo: Design Sponge

Photo: Carly Ahlman Design

Photo: The Kellogg Collection

Photo: Apartment Therapy

Photo: West Elm

Stylish Home Offices

I don't know about you, but working from home would certainly be a dream come true for me. Wouldn't it be nice if your commute to work consisted of a few steps (literally)? If you're one of the lucky ones who is able to work from home, then these home office design tips will be sure to catch your eye.

First and foremost, it's important to create a space that is solely dedicated to work. Whether you are able to designate an entire room, or a portion of a room (have an extra closet?), figure out a place that will allow you to step away from everything else at home and focus on your business. Once you've determined where your "office" will be located, it's time to get creative with layout, organization, and decor. Start with a color scheme and stick to it. This will visually separate your office space from everything else. Stay organized with labeled bins, boxes, drawers, and file cabinets (check out Design Sponge's DIY wallpapered file cabinet). Most importantly, make your home office a place where you feel comfortable and enjoy spending time in.

Photo: Decor8

Photo: Design Sponge

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Me Oh My

Photo: Sunset

Bright White Bathrooms

When in doubt, bright white is the way to go when it comes to a bathroom. White is a color (or lack thereof) that will never go out of style. Accent an all-white bathroom with touches of black, natural wood, or pops of color. With a backdrop of white, it's easy to make updates without spending a ton of money. Switching out accessories can give the space a whole new look.

Photo: Architectural Digest

Photo: Ashley Whittaker Design

Photo: Design Sponge

Photo: House and Home

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Houzz

Photo: Nine and Sixteen

Photo: The Style Files

Egg-cellent Decor

With Easter right around the corner, it's time to create some egg-cellent decor. Dying eggs has always been a fun Easter staple, but recently I've come across some great variations on the classic craft. Try dying eggs with natural ingredients for a lighter, less vibrant look.

After painting or dying your eggs, decorate them with paint and a very fine paintbrush. Create patterns and shapes, or spell out a word across multiple eggs. If you're looking for a more dazzling approach to egg-decorating, cover your eggs in glue and roll them in glitter. You can never go wrong with a little glitter.

Not into decorating real eggs? Create your own eggs from scratch using fabric scraps and a little stuffing. Pick some fun colors or patterns and sew strips of fabric together to form an egg shape. Before sewing them closed, stuff your eggs with batting. The great thing about these eggs is that you'll have them year after year.

Fill a glass vase or bowl with your newly decorated eggs for instant Easter decor!

Photo: Better Home and Gardens

Photo: Design Sponge

Photo: Martha Stewart

Photo: Retro Mama

Photo: Bower Power