black and white and gorgeous all over

The beautiful apartment of Crystal Gentillelo (editor of Rue) was recently posted on Apartment Therapy, and while so much of it was amazing (the drop-dead light fixture in the kitchen and deliciously moody living room for starters), I was once again most drawn to the bathroom (or more precisely, the powder room).

It's undeniably so very pretty, but I think the main reason it spoke to me more than the rest of the apartment is that it's most striking feature - the black and white striped walls - are easily achievable regardless of budget. No fancy upholstered pieces or designer furniture needed, just a couple of gallons of paint and some very, very good quality painters tape. 

Truth be told, I have yet to meet a black and white striped bathroom I don't want to buy a BFF bracelet for. Here are just a few of my faves:

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Know where else this look really works? In the entry. It makes for such a bold yet timeless first impression. And bold and timeline is a pretty rare combination.

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Now not all black and white spaces are created equal. I've seen some real clunkers that might make you question if this is a good idea at all. But here's the thing: notice how in each of these rooms the walls are broken up by multiple pieces of framed art/mirrors/windows? Notice how each of the pieces of art contain a bit of black themselves? Notice that other homey elements usually reserved for living spaces (rugs, chandeliers, chairs, books) have been incorporated even in the bathrooms?

Them's the tickets folks. To make this work you have to break it up, giving the eye other places to rest and infusing the stark quality of the black on white with a little warmth and a "lived in" feel. 

I would also usually reserve this treatment for small spaces you only spend a limited amount of time in. In a larger space it could get to be a bit much (and maybe even borderline dizzying). Really, when it comes to black and white stripes, I think the smaller the room the better. I have come across a couple of exceptions, however, that pull it off really well and remind me that no rules are universal:

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My favourite of these? You got it, it's the last two. The warm tones of the wood and gold frames are the keys to their success, making them feel cozy rather than jarring or cold.

Well those and the red velvet sofa. That room had me at red velvet sofa.

In most cases though, I stick to my guns. Rooms like this one in Lonny, this one in Elle, and this one by Robert Pascal are beautiful, but I feel like they would become overwhelming pretty fast. That's just me, however, and I know there are those who would strongly disagree!

A whole other debate? Whether or not you prefer your stripes vertical or horizontal. I know where I stand. Do you?