Black & White

Have you noticed how much Monochrome there is around at the moment? It never goes out of style for long and each time it comes back, it's that little bit different. It's a classic choice and works particularly well in bathrooms, and the best thing is - it's the perfect base to add colour to if you get bored.

Oooh I do love a stripe and black and white is spot on. So bold, striking, and theatrical somehow. And a solid black wall is the perfect backdrop for it. But this room obviously gets plenty of light, so the black doesn't feel heavy, further helped by the white painted floor. Those cameo pictures on the wall are just right too. Chateau collection, Clarke & Clarke

Black and white works particularly well in a big patterned wallpaper like this one, it's a kind of abstract all-over leaf pattern but its not overpowering as there is so much white. The cushions in different designs sit perfectly with it and builds up the colour story. This design is from the Marimekko collection at Galerie wallcoverings

White kitchens never go out of style, and black taps, Crittal-style windows, and black detailing are so on-trend right now. So choose your kitchen then add black profile strips around the door frames, but just on some of them, so it doesn't overpower, its a good way of marking out a particular area such as the cooking zone here. Black pendant lights add an industrial vibe with their simple, graphic shape, a must-have black tap and uber-stylish black dining chairs create a harmonious. Exposed brick and a wooden surface on the island warm everything up. Just gorgeous. Integra Dunham in white by Magnet

This is a much softer version of monochrome, with just touches of black. Cream rather than white is a more forgiving shade and the black is used subtly, in the cage effect lampshade and as detailing on the textured cushions. A black distressed tray adds the perfect finishing touch. Cox & Cox

There is a tribal feel to this bedlinen, with influences of north Africa. The two tones are evenly matched in the stripes so its easy to live with. Repeated in the rug. The side table has a black frame and white marble top, and wood and wicker touches complement it perfectly. French Connection

Like I said, black and white works particularly well in bathrooms, and not in an Art Deco kind of way but brought up to date with matt black profile strips, black fittings and black frames to the windows and mirror. One wall is solid black as well as the slim shelving unit but when teamed with black and white marble, it has a light touch - stunning. Oh to have a bathroom as big as this one....Liberty glass shower screen. Roman Showers

A monochrome hallway. Ok, there are touches of navy but with white walls, that stunning black chandelier really stands out. Again the scheme is warmed up with aged brass on the console table and mirror and the deep patina of the wooden floor. Keswick console table, Garrick chandelier, Corinium lamp base, Fleming mirror, all Neptune