A Minimalist Christmas Home Tour in Black and White

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Do you love black and white?  I do, and always have.  In choosing a color or theme for Christmas this year, I went along with what I was doing in my home.  Someone once told me an apartment could never be home, but it has been for us for a few years now, and it’s working.  Let me take you to Part One of my Minimalist Christmas Home Tour in Black and White.

Need a little last-minute inspiration?  Or maybe ideas for next year?  Check out my friends who are part of the Merry and Bright Home Tours.  So much talent in this group.

As in many apartments, you enter the dining area and living room, in an open concept with the kitchen off to one side.  More on the kitchen later.  As in any open concept, the colors and design need to flow from one area to the next. 

My Love for Black and White, Even at Christmas

I have always loved black and white, even photos.  When I was a little girl, I wanted a black and white Easter dress made with Dotted Swiss.  Who remembers that?   My Mother made most of our clothes and I was always so happy going to the fabric store to get this special fabric.

I have even been working on my wardrobe, especially for travel, incorporating as much of black and white, to make packing easier.

Being Minimalist and Black and White is Trendy

If you read about trends, both seem to be in style, and I really wasn’t aware of it so much.  I have seen a lot of black and white at weddings.  Even Hobby Lobby has a lot of black décor in their floral and bridal section. 

Watch for candleholders, boxes, and lanterns to use in your décor, all year long.  Catch something at a great price, but don’t want black – try some spray paint.

Could You Be a Minimalist?

 

I am in no way saying I am a minimalist, but I have found after downsizing to an apartment a few years ago, I am learning that less is best instead of more is more.  There’s less to buy, less areas to decorate, less to clean, but for me, less to store. 

When people think of an apartment, they may think of a small space with only a couple bedrooms, small closets, and cramped areas.  That is not ours at all.  With a little over 1,300 sf, it’s larger than our first home.  We have a laundry room, a walk-in pantry, 3 bedrooms with walk in closets, and a patio.   

Most may not think of black and white or a minimalist Christmas as the norm when decorating, but it is working for me. 

There were some updates done to the apartment earlier this year, so it was a perfect time to change out décor and furniture.  I decided to focus on black and white with some beige.  I’m lucky the beige walls are a good color.  So, when it came to Christmas, I thought why not go with black and white, which I have always loved. 

Early in the fall I did find some great Christmas décor online in black, so I ordered it before it sold out.  It seems if you want something these days, buy it.  Don’t wait.  I purchased several of my things in September, and so glad I did.

A Black and White Christmas Tree

Well, maybe not as much white, but lots of silver.  I have had a flocked tree for several years, so I wanted something different and bought a cashmere tree on sale and loved it.  But as I was looking through Pinterest, almost all of the trees I found decorated in black and white, were flocked.  So now to buy a new flocked tree.  As I started decorating, I knew it was the right choice.

Most trees come with warm lights, which create that yellow glow, which I really don’t care for, so I purchased the cool white lights.  The brightness it creates is perfect also for black and white.  The only downside is how they photograph blue so that’s some editing I need to learn before next year.

It is filled with lots of new black ornaments, but I was able to incorporate my collection of silver.  The cool white lights add a touch of elegance to the tree as well. 

I normally have my presents wrapped in paper to match the tree and décor.

Tree topper – Target – it was lit, but in the warm lights, so I just cut the cord.  I tried to take it apart to add cool lights, but it couldn’t be done. 

Use What You Have

As I was going through things I have, and let’s say I still have a lot, I was looking at what I could repurpose.  Amber bottles from the fall, which I hated, suddenly turned black with a little spray paint.  Even old berries and picks could be updated so I didn’t have to purchase new ones. 

Before you toss old décor and holiday items, think about how they might work with a little update or new color.

The Living Room

A lot is new in this room, the sofa, rug, curtains, and coffee table.  This was the first major change we’ve made since we moved in.  The entertainment center was built with Ikea shelves.

Simple designs were considered for all the home decorating.    I used to think that almost every inch of the surface needed to be filled, which I loved, but not now.  It was harder to do less during the holidays, but I’m really loving it.

On the entertainment center, the painted black bottles hold greenery picks.  Using greenery and wreaths is a great way to fill space.   One of the sleighs went from bright red to black.  The deer on top are stocking holders so I place a piece of wood under them to make them set up right. 

Fairy lights are always a great accent for a festive touch.

I love my black and white photos over the couch.  They are some of my favorite places we have visited in our travels. 

The Nativity Sign is from Hobby Lobby.  I would love to find a large Nativity Set for next year.

The coffee table is simple – we put our feet up  on it.  A candy dish, found at Home Goods, is always filled with chocolate.  Tree is from Target.

The Dining Room

The star of any dining room is always the table.  It’s only 42” round, so it’s easy to keep it simple.

Plates – Hobby Lobby last year – wish I had more

Reindeer – Pottery Barn probably 10 years ago

Mini tier tray – Home Goods  I’m obsessed with this

Black lamp – rechargeable from Amazon (candles are against the rules in the apartment)

Sequin placemats – don’t remember – it’s been a while

Silver chargers – Ross’s

Stemware – Dollar Tree

Hang a wreath on the chairs – Hobby Lobby

China Cabinet

I made this a few years ago from cabinets from Ikea – same as the entertainment center.  IKEA China Cabinet

It’s filled with a lot I had on hand with just a few new pieces. 

Black deer – top – flocked from Walmart

Standing deer  – bottom shelf – Target

Wood houses – Target

A few simple ideas:

Place a mini tree in a planter

Fill a bowl with ornaments

Use a charger behind a plate for more color

Side Board

This is another Ikea shelving unit but wood doors were added for an accent.

Hanging bells – I had seen a set as an inspiration on the Michael’s website, but it was $140.  I knew I could do it better.  The rod is from Walmart, about $9.  The bells were already on hand with the exception of two, which I found in a set at Home Goods.  Luckily all were already silver so no painting was needed

Deer and leaning trees – Walmart – sold out in early September

Taller black trees – Dollar Tree then painted black

Center Tree – I’ve had this several years – looks like something from Home Goods

Mirror – Mantle Mirror from Walmart – on sale now for $15 if they still have them

Is a Black and White Home or Holiday for You?

Are you inspired to add any black and white to your décor or maybe for Christmas next year? 

A lot of the décor I have out now can easily transition into winter décor after Christmas.

I plan to share my kitchen soon, but be warned, it’s very minimal as there’s not a lot of space to decorate.   Maybe I’ll share more Christmas tablescapes for inspiration. 

A Minimalist Christmas Home Tour in Black and White

I hope you have enjoyed a look at my black and white Christmas.  I know it’s not for everyone, but I think it’s perfect for me. 

Merry and Bright Blog Hop

Now go check out more home tours

 

Merry Christmas from my home to yours!

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