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Decor / Entertaining / Holiday / How To's / Shopping Guides

HOLIDAY INSPIRATION: Black/White/Green

Are you feeling it too?

We’ve decorated the house and yet I’ve felt like it needed a little punch — the neutral gold/silver/white on green is looking a little too predictable these days, don’t you think? I think I found the perfect addition that will give it what I need: adding black into the mix! Don’t you love how much black/white stripes make everything pop with a touch of green?

[ Vatel Manila ]

[ Ballard Designs via Atlanta Homes Magazine ]

[ Country Living ]

[ 1 ] Jonathan Adler salt & pepper shakers, $48 [ 2 ] Kate Spade “Larabee Road” tidbit plates, $80 [ 3 ] Crate & Barrel boxwood planter, $79.95 [ 4 ] Minted “Merry Stripes” card, $1.68 each [ 5 ] Washi tape, $9 [ 6 ] zig zag stockings, $25 [ 7 ] green satin ribbon, $6.95/10 yds. [ 8 ] Crate & Barrel Marimekko gift wrap, $7.95 , and black/white striped gift wrap, $9 [ 9 ] Vivaterra succulent wreath, $98

What’s your holiday decor inspiration this year?

With the closing of my stationery company, this is the first year that I haven’t designed my own (and many others’) Christmas cards. At first I was excited about all the extra free time, but grew quickly frustrated that so many online photo cards look the same! Have you noticed that too? Everyone used to tell me this, but I guess I never actually looked. So now I’m kinda sad.

Erika Brechtel

Erika's passion for guiding women to "Style Your Biz, Your Home, Your Self, Your Life" led her create 'The E List' (formerly the Small Shop blog) in 2010. Since, she's expanded globally into speaking, mentoring, course offerings, angel investing, and social entrepreneurship through the Élanoura Collective for women founders.

Reader Interactions

The Comments

  1. Bethany says

    December 12, 2011 at 7:33 am

    OMIGOSH – I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!!!!

    Bethany
    http://powellbrower.blogspot.com/2011/12/kitchen-for-new-year.html

  2. tobe | because it's awesome says

    December 12, 2011 at 7:39 am

    love it – a very sophisticated but fun addition to the palette! will you be showing off your decor??

  3. Naomi@Design Manifest says

    December 12, 2011 at 7:54 am

    I do believe that black and white stripes make nearly everything better.

  4. kristina@beancakes says

    December 12, 2011 at 8:12 am

    erika ~ i agree that black is always a perfect addition to any color scheme {adds just the right amount of punch} love ballard designs ~ wishing you a happy monday ;)
    xx ~ kristina

  5. Elle says

    December 12, 2011 at 9:32 am

    Hi! This is slightly random, but I was browsing your almost-too-beautiful home tour and fell in love with the photo in your dining room (your first piece of art). Could you possibly share the artist’s details? x

  6. Lily says

    December 12, 2011 at 9:45 am

    Love this look…the black and white really makes everything else pop !!

    xxLily
    goldandgray.com

  7. designstiles says

    December 12, 2011 at 11:07 am

    Black and white is so classic. Love the striped look too. Also classic. Mixed with green is a nice alternative to the typical green and red. Looks a little fresher too.

  8. Grace - Stripes & Sequins says

    December 12, 2011 at 11:19 am

    Wow – all are just amazing! Great inspiration. My decorations this yr were straight out of the Martha Stewart Holiday Crafts book.. (stay tuned!) I would die for one of my dinner settings to ever look remotely like the one in that first shot!

  9. Lonely Wife Project says

    December 12, 2011 at 11:24 am

    This is the most inspiring holiday-themed post I’ve read this year! Bravo Erika!

  10. Neda says

    December 12, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    Ok, you just described the exact look of our holiday decor- “neutral gold/silver/white on green”…and thank you for finding an easy way to spice things up! :)

    • that girl says

      December 12, 2011 at 4:44 pm

      Neda I have a feeling everyone’s doing the gold/silver/white, and so we’re all bored of it!

  11. Tamara, Bella Boho says

    December 12, 2011 at 12:14 pm

    The table is fantastic! Love the wrapping paper too!

  12. Rebecca says

    December 12, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    somehow anything but the traditional red and green just looks fabulous. black and white looks classy. :)

  13. Brynn {chartreuse & a twist} says

    December 12, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    haahaa :D love that we’re on the same page with feeling the need for a little extra oomph this holiday season! i absolutely LOVE the black and white stripes with the green…amazing inspiration :) xoxoxo brynn

  14. Oh, It's Just Perfect! says

    December 12, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    This combo looks so elegant. I love it!

  15. Annemarie @ Brunch at Saks says

    December 12, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    Such a gorgeous color combo! I never knew how much I loved these color together until now. Great post xoxo

  16. karlita Borrego says

    December 12, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    oh! green really spruce things up! will you add it to your decor! I am loving boxwood these late days..
    Regarding the stationary… any chance of re-opening?? I guess free time will always be un-free and we will sooner or later fill it up with something else so why not with something we love? why the sad?

  17. Drew {Coral Cafe} says

    December 12, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    I am in love with these stripes!! What a simple way to turn Christmas decor to chic!!
    Those cards of your daughter is precious beyond words!! Looks like she gets that beauty form her momma!! ;)

  18. Lauren says

    December 12, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    so amazingly gorgeous!!

  19. Barbara@HausDesign says

    December 12, 2011 at 11:44 pm

    I love these pops – it makes it so much fresher and modern…that first table is amazing! Pinning it now…:)

  20. Christina says

    December 13, 2011 at 9:27 am

    The dining room by Ballard Designs is KILLER. Oh my lord I love everything about it. I have resisted the chevron trend a little bit just because it is EVERYWHERE but suddenly I feel the need to own a black and white chevron tablecloth. Oh my god I just noticed the ornaments in the pendant lights, how adorable. I’m smitten. :)

    Sorry to hear you are bummed out about stationary. I didn’t know you used to have a stationary company (I am a pretty new follower after all), that’s super cool. I have yet to do the Christmas card shebang. I’m waiting until I’m hitched or have a more interesting life (whichever comes first). Haha. :) So even though you don’t have your company anymore, can’t you still design your own Christmas cards?

  21. Mae says

    December 13, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    this isn’t the first color combo I think of for the holidays, but I LOVE IT! that chevron tablecloth and those pretty little packages! perfect.
    I tend to play it safe with gold & silver but will give this a go for sure!
    xx

  22. bentley says

    December 13, 2011 at 7:33 pm

    I hadn’t stopped by in awhile and had to say hi. I love everything on your blog right now. It looks fab. Esp. this post! Happy Holidays to you!!!

  23. kathysue says

    January 4, 2012 at 8:35 am

    I know that Christmas is over, but since you and I share the same color scheme this year I thought I would give you a heads up on black and white striped paper at a great price. I use the stripes all year long, it is my signature wrap, I also have a herringbone that is very versatile. You can get a 180 ft bolt for under $20 at Nashville wraps. It last for a long time, I just ordered my second roll. Just thought you might like this resource, Happy New Year, 2012,
    Kathysue

  24. Vatel Manila says

    February 19, 2012 at 10:21 am

    We just saw this post recently. Thank you very much for featuring our work here! :-)

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