Nature’s most stark colour combination has been a design inspiration for hundreds of years. Who can ignore the sleek aura of this colour scheme which manages to evoke a sense of classic déjà vu (think Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca) and modern sophistication (think zebra-striped wallpapers) all at the same time?

And this is not a new colour scheme as far as home design is concerned. It has been around for ages- from a staple pop culture graphic in the 50s and 60s to today’s sleeker avatar. However, truth be told, it is vintage black and white home décor that intrigues me more.

It’s fairly simple to have vintage black and white décor in your home. Here’s how:

Parquet Flooring

Parquet is defined as the arrangement of tiles in a geometric pattern and can be traced back to1684 at the palace of Versailles. It is a classic flooring style and harks to sepia-tinted times. It is fairly easy to install, with the herringbone design being the most popular. While parquet is normally done in wood, tile options are very common as well. In the picture above, the vintage look comes alive with black and white parquetry as well and a combination of antique furniture and light fixtures. What I love is the flooding of natural light and the feeling of space and airiness. It is important when you have a floor as busy as this, to keep the rest of the elements in the room fuss-free and minimal.

 Black and White Vintage Wallpaper

Image-hotstyledesign.com

You would think that a powder room (a room without bathing area) done in black and white may be a bit too much. But I think that this powder room is simply amazing. Right from the patterned ceiling to the graphic black and white vintage motif wallpaper, to the antique sink and faucets; this room is black and white vintage at its best. I love how the pops of fuchsia add freshness to the room.

 Black and White Polka Dots

Image-pinterest.com

This image is from a magazine in the 60s. I love how it truly does epitomise the spirit of mod interior design. What impresses me is the play of geometrics and patterns in the room. Polka dots, stripes, squares, zig zags- they are all there! The curtains even feature a heavy-duty fringe and valances. But they manage to balance each other out fairly well without clashing.

You can try this retro-kitschy-mod look but only if you have a strong stomach for lots of pattern.

Combine with Metals

You can also create a vintage feel with the use of dull metals like brass or matte silver and gold to bring a simple, old-world and understated charm to your room.

So if you love black and white, and adore all things vintage, this might be a décor theme you could explore. Go on, get creative!