Black and White (and a Bit in Between): Timeless Interiors, Dramatic Accents, and Stylish Collections

Black and white décor is at once dramatic and understated, modern and classic, apparent in the work of iconic designers such as Dorothy Draper and Madeleine Castaing but just as present in design today. And the inspiration is all around us—from nature (a zebra’s stripes, tree trunks rising from drifts of snow) to old Hollywood movies and fashion to black-and-white photography and patterns we encounter in our everyday lives (crossword puzzles and the pages of our favorite novels). 

In Black and White (and a Bit in Between), acclaimed interior designer Celerie Kemble trades in her signature vivid palette for this iconic aesthetic, highlighting the black and white work of design stars and peers, including Bunny Williams, Thomas O’Brien, Mary McDonald, Victoria Hagan, Mark Hampton, Delphine Krakoff, Brad Ford, Philip Gorrivan, Carrier and Co., and Miles Redd, and welcoming you into more than 100 spaces in every imaginable aesthetic. Woven throughout are her witty observations and expert advice on choosing the best paints and finishes, adding patterns and accessories, building an entire room scheme based on inspiration found in nature, collecting black and white objects, and even choosing the perfect accent colors. 

With more than 350 gorgeous color photographs, this is a vividly photographed celebration of a timeless scheme, infused with inspirational tips, glimpses into showstopping homes, and proof that a limited palette is anything but.

CELERIE KEMBLE is a principal in Kemble Interiors, a design firm cofounded by her mother, Mimi McMakin. Celerie has been featured in almost every major design magazine and has been listed for more than ten years in House Beautiful’s annual “Top Designers” list. She was chosen by Elle Decor as a top female designer in their first “Women in Design” issue. In 2010 she was selected by Benjamin Moore to appear as a home design expert in a national advertising campaign and she has been featured by J.Crew as a trendsetter and tastemaker.