The refined nature of a monochromatic scheme means there is plenty of room to play with form and texture to add visual interest and flare to a bedroom. These projects from the ELLE Decoration archive show how sculptural furniture, statement lighting and richly textured fabrics all work to inject a pared-back palette with personality.
The period home with a sleek black and white interior
This heritage home in Melbourne was given a 21st century lift by interior architecture practice Studio Tate who utilised a fresh, restrained monochrome palette to bring a cohesiveness to the old and new elements in this home. In the bedroom, the stately moulding on the ceiling is echoed in the angular forms of the pendant light by Lambert & Fils.
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Abstract monochrome in an architectural cabin
Striking black and white cabinetry in the home of architect Patrick Warren injects the cedar-clad bedroom with graphic drama. It cleverly extends beyond the custom built bed to create a striking headboard. A small sculpture by Mayhew is placed on the bespoke bedside table, beside a Miss Bunny sculpture by Anyuta.
A minimalist monochrome home
This serene home on the outskirts of Aberdeen was purpose built to offer a sanctuary from the outside world. A monochrome palette in the bedroom pairs perfectly with the home’s sparse approach to interior design – in this calming space, the ‘Vertigo’ pendant light by Petite Friture keeps things interesting with its instantly recognisable minimalist shape.
A black and white platform bed by Mark Grattan
A black and white platform bed takes centre stage in the bedroom of furniture designer Mark Grattan. A bespoke take on his own ‘Docked En Rio’ bed the design draws from art deco and Japanese influences. ‘I truly don’t need much more,’ he says of this minimally but perfectly design room.
Sculptural furniture brings the drama in this Melbourne home
‘Contemporary without being cold’ is how interior decorator Simone Haag sums up this home she designed in collaboration with designer Angela Harry. The retrained palette in the bedroom and ensuite is punctuated with sculptural pieces such as a the ‘Lou’ nightstand by Christophe Delcourt for Minotti and Porcelain Bear’s ‘Acrobat, Forward Bend’ pendant light.
Old meets new in a historic Italian apartment
Modernity and history combine in this apartment within the 15th-century surroundings of Palazzo Poeti in central Bologna. Homeowner and architect Carola Fumarola of Arcade Studio sought out statement contemporary furniture to fill the lofty proportions of the property. In the bedroom, the fusion of old meets new is continued with the stark ‘Ashawood Baldaquin’ bed by Studio Controdesign for Xam which contrasts brilliantly with the rustic beams overhead.
Curved forms soften this monochromatic palette
This slick monochromatic bedroom in a Melbourne home is softened by curved lines in the bespoke headboard, ‘Indi’ pendant lights from Articolo and the ‘Round’ armchair by Yonoh from HC28 Cosmo, purchased at Domo. Devised by interior decorators Doherty Design Studio, it’s a perfect example of how to keep a black and white theme from becoming too austere.
The sleek coastal home with a natural materials palette
A palette of limestone, charcoal-stained timber and ash-grey marble runs throughout this moody take on a coastal home, by interior design studio Hecker Guthrie and stylist Simone Haag. The bedroom features Rodolfo Dordoni’s ‘Tatlin’ bed for Minotti and an elegant marble-topped ‘Onda’ bedside table from Poliform, with a minimalist wall light by Lambert & Fils mounted above.
A pleasingly symmetrical bedroom in Paris
Designer Felix Millory stuck to a restrained black and white palette throughout this Parisian triplex. From Eichholtz’s bronze and alabaster ‘Spike’ wall lights to Poliform’s ‘Abbinabili’ bedside tables, there’s a pleasing symmetry to the bedroom, which is further enhanced by the ‘Giorgina’ bedside lamps and pair of ‘Rubautelli’ armchairs, also from Eichholtz.
A gallery-style home in London
This bedroom in a London home, designed by architects Carmody Groarke, is another example of using carefully curated accent pieces to inject a stark space with personality. They installed a large print of a photograph of Jimi Hendrix by Gered Mankowitz against the plain white wall, the ‘S-Chair’ by Tom Dixon for Cappellini and Anglepoise bedside lamps to add visual interest to this otherwise minimal room.
