Look! Using Black and White In An Open Space

When it comes to open space living, the advice we keep hearing is to designate areas by using all the methods known to man (and woman). This would be, but not limited to: colors, rugs, curtains, screens, and tables...But for those of us who like to keep our spaces streamlined in all ways, here's an interesting example of restricting the color palette while still keeping everything in its rightful areas with the proper balance of black and white.

After staring at this photo trying to decipher how and why it works, we conclude that the lesson to be learned is this: when in doubt, opt for glossy white floors and an oversized light fixture. Oh, and try to keep everything spaced apart just enough.

[ Photo from Living Etc ]

Comments (16)

How do you obtain those type of glossy, white floors? What kind of material is on the floors?

posted by dpunjabi on September 5th 2008 at 3:14pm
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That looks like it is most likely an epoxy finish on the floors dpunjabi.

posted by art on September 5th 2008 at 3:26pm
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I love this room! I've recently started noticing - and really digging - a lot of black and white interiors. How the heck would you keep that floor clean, though? Constant Swiffing?

posted by Emily the Cat on September 5th 2008 at 4:08pm
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I LOVE this. And your analysis gibes with my own experience.

I live in an open-plan loft, and every attempt to "define the space" made me hate it. Dividing made it seem like tiny spaces, without the benefit of sound privacy and wall space for art. Finally I realized that what I loved about the loft was the feeling of a huge, open room. I pulled up all the rugs and tossed the folding screens.

posted by Lisa Hunter (Montreal) on September 5th 2008 at 4:33pm
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Nice looking room and feeling for black and white.

posted by poptart on September 5th 2008 at 5:37pm
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This is wonderful. I really love black and white in theory, but I've been afraid to embrace it since it can so easily look cold and sterile. But this is really warm and inviting.

posted by PhillyLass on September 5th 2008 at 6:41pm
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I love this space. If I'm not misstaken this is a photo from Danish design house DAY Birger et Mikkelsen's catalog. They have more great white and black design on their site:

http://www.day.dk/

posted by MissL on September 5th 2008 at 10:01pm
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having spent our summer vacation in Denmark (in en establishment run by married design partners), I LOVE the black & white look... now, anything else looks "too much" to me right now... and what was really cool, their wardrobes were equally black & white... it was amazing to be in a place where many people have adopted the black & white aesthetic, and to see how fresh and different it looks according to each individual... it is making me rethink a lot of things....

posted by mschatelaine on September 6th 2008 at 12:07am
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I have glossy painted white floors in the main living area and they receive a good weekly mopping with hot water and a bit of Mrs. Meyer's all purpose cleaner (geranium). To my surprise, they stay clean and fresh looking all week long (amazing in a house with a dog, a couple cats, a 7-year-old, and a husband that doesn't believe in housework).

posted by wendi_c on September 6th 2008 at 5:40am
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i don't get it, an epoxy finish on what type of floor? is it cement?

posted by parisienish on September 6th 2008 at 6:18am
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so pretty..a true living space..just when i 'brought' in some color..to mine...who knew..?

posted by keeks on September 6th 2008 at 6:20am
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Beautiful. They are indeed white epoxy with a high-gloss urethane coating. I have the same floors in my loft:

http://loft518.com

posted by bitboy on September 6th 2008 at 6:46am
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nice loft bitboy! I have a loft also thats under renovation and I installed 8in wide plank flooring which im thinking about painting a high gloss white.

posted by theloftlife on September 6th 2008 at 11:25am
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@theloftlife,

I've always liked that look. Or a white stain on wide planks.

@bitboy, that's a cool loft.

posted by art on September 6th 2008 at 4:58pm
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i'm loving this look too - especially that "3" pillow - i'm going to have to make me an 8...

i think here the appeal lies in the use of natural elements and a relaxed vibe i.e. - the wicker, wood, and lived in looking upholstery.

posted by houseno8 on September 6th 2008 at 7:54pm
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I love black and white, whether its white as the dominate in the foreground like this or opposite.

Also, these floor can be achieved my using this type of flooring product cost less than doing an epoxy floor-

http://www.lonseal.com/show_product/LONSTAGE%20UV

http://www.lonseal.com/show_product/LONMETRO%20UV

posted by LoriSF on September 7th 2008 at 10:04am
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