Houzz Tour: Black and White in Idaho
Refinished vintage finds and Scandinavian-inspired furniture spice up a two-tone palette in this Boise blogger's home
Sticking to a black and white color palette is harder than it looks. Add dealing with a rental home's quirks and the needs of a toddler, and you have quite the design challenge. But Jennifer Hagler, the Boise, Idaho, blogger behind A Merry Mishap, makes it look easy.
"I'd love for people to see our place and know something about the people who live in it," she says. "I want the house to look like an extension of us, but still inspiring and unique."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jennifer Hagler, her husband and toddler son
Size: 1,300 square feet; two bedrooms; one studio
Location: Boise, Idaho
"I'd love for people to see our place and know something about the people who live in it," she says. "I want the house to look like an extension of us, but still inspiring and unique."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jennifer Hagler, her husband and toddler son
Size: 1,300 square feet; two bedrooms; one studio
Location: Boise, Idaho
A mixture of styles and patinas lends this basic palette a sense of texture. Hagler collects items from all over the world, carefully blending vintage and new.
Shelves: String Pockets, Scandinavian Design Center; sideboards: Ikea
Shelves: String Pockets, Scandinavian Design Center; sideboards: Ikea
A Moderna Museet print plays off the bold lines of an industrial MUUTO Unfold Pendant in the dining room.
Although the black and white color scheme keeps this space looking particularly clean, Hagler also edits her belongings frequently, selling or donating what she doesn't want anymore.
"It helps to realize what objects have the most meaning to you," she says, "the things you truly want to have in your home."
Although the black and white color scheme keeps this space looking particularly clean, Hagler also edits her belongings frequently, selling or donating what she doesn't want anymore.
"It helps to realize what objects have the most meaning to you," she says, "the things you truly want to have in your home."
Different textures in neutral colors play off one another in the modern but cozy living room. Layered rugs and mismatched textiles add visual interest to the furniture's clean lines.
Sofa, floating cabinets: Ikea; coffee table: Normann Copenhagen, Finnish Design Shop
Sofa, floating cabinets: Ikea; coffee table: Normann Copenhagen, Finnish Design Shop
Hagler especially loves the Design House Stockholm rug in her living room, which she found at House & Hold. "After searching for so long for the right rug, we love this leather-trimmed woven rug so much," she says. "It's equal parts durable and attractive, and I think it really brings together all the other elements of the room."
When she couldn't find a desk that would work for this corner, Hagler and her husband made this simple setup with a plywood top and table legs from Ikea.
Basket: SIWA, Design Within Reach; desk light: vintage
Basket: SIWA, Design Within Reach; desk light: vintage
Hagler uses the walls for as much storage as possible to help the space feel more open. Simple shelving in the office eliminates the need for another piece of furniture, which could crowd the room.
An Ikea bedframe in the master bedroom plays off of Hagler's Scandinavian style. A striped rug, a gold pillow and Componibili tables provide the only necessary decor in this soothing space.
Because Hagler's home is rented, there's plenty she'd like to change if she could — namely the wall-to-wall carpeting. For now, she does her best to make do with cute rugs and cowhides on top of the carpeting in every room.
Because Hagler's home is rented, there's plenty she'd like to change if she could — namely the wall-to-wall carpeting. For now, she does her best to make do with cute rugs and cowhides on top of the carpeting in every room.
Hagler created these diorama-style shelves in the master bedroom using old wooden wine crates. Screwed onto the wall and painted in white, the old crates became instant display cases.
A stylish but functional curated clothing rack in the corner saves on closet space.
The midcentury-style desk is a find from a local store; Hagler had it refinished to pristine condition. Industrial and modern accessories, such as the glass cube lamp from Design House Stockholm, contribute to Hagler's signature look.
As in the rest of the house, Hagler kept her son's room simple, but was careful to add playful accents to make it a cheerful haven for the toddler. Geometric wallpaper acts as a sophisticated reminder of elementary school notebooks.
See more beautiful black and white homes
See more beautiful black and white homes
"I like simple things," says Hagler. "Too much color overwhelms me, so it seemed natural to choose a simple black and white, neutral color palette. This way it's easier to layer colors without it feeling overdone."