Black and White Holiday
Are you anticipating this year’s winter holiday season? Looking for ways to take your décor up a notch, even without in-person guests and parties? Here are some ideas on a theme I love: Monochrome holiday decorating!
![Holiday tablet wet with black and white checked table runner, cheese, dessert and wine. The 6 white dining chairs are dressed with a green pillow on the seat and a green wreath hung over the back with black and white checked fabric that matches the table runner. Green plants are scattered around the room. Overhead, a deer antler chandelier continues the outdoor touches.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Black-White-Holiday-Table-via-Robert-Peterson-Rustic-White-Photography.jpg)
Monochrome should be softened with a touch of color. Here greenery creates a welcoming indoor/outdoor feel. I adore the wreathed chair-backs!
![Black and white striped gifts under a tree alternate with red, green and white plaid wrapped gifts, and a few in plain red or brown. Red pointsettas on the tree are made more visible with black and white striped ribbon. Red curtains line the windows in the background.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Black-White-Holiday-Gifts-via-Britany-Simon-and-Brian-Patrick-Flynn.jpg)
Here’s another way to use monochrome with other colors – the traditional red and green really pop when used with black and white.
![A white painted fireplace mantle and surround is covered in green pine swags plus gold and silver balls, and dressed with white furry stockings hung in a row. A pile of white gifts wrapped with silver and gold bows sits inside the fireplace, and a modern slipper chair in tan velvet with a black and white geometric pillow on the chair is off to the right, facing towards you. A hint of gold-covered Christmas tree is visible off to the left.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Black-White-Holiday-Mantel-via-Decoist-Bliss-At-Home-580x773.jpg)
I like the idea of placing wrapped gifts in a decorative fireplace. Love the print pillow here – it really adds depth to the scene!
![A bedroom with grey-washed wooden side tables and headboard, strung with white balls in 2 sizes. The bed has a white comforter, black pillows, and black-and-white-checked pillows, dressed with a serving tray and black-and-white striped blanket. A green Christmas tree with white decorations is visible on the far side of the bed.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Black-White-Holiday-Bedroom-via-HGTV-Rennai-Hoefer.jpg)
The bedroom can also be decorated to match this theme, as long as the dominant furniture colors don’t interfere.
![A stack of gifts under a white Christmas tree with gold garlands, on a white surround under the tree, wrapped in black-and-white polka dot and gold-and-white polka dot paper.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Black-White-Holiday-Polka-Dot-Wrapping-via-Decoist.jpg)
Stripes are so traditional for the holidays. Why not try something different? Polka dots in black and white and gold are sure to be a hit, as much as the gift inside.
It’s not too late to get help on your own holiday decorating! Kimball Starr provides ideas and easily executable plans for homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.