Room of the Day: Classic Contrast in a Stylish Master Suite
A dynamic palette of black and white, infused with pattern, enlivens a new master suite in Seattle
Camille LeFevre
March 16, 2017
Houzz Contributor. Arts journalist specializing in design and architecture. Former editor of Architecture Minnesota, editor of Innovative Design Quarterly, contributor to Midwest Home and HomeDish blog, contributor to Architect's Newspaper and author of the monograph Charles R. Stinson: Compositions in Nature. Have also written for Architect, ICON and Architectural Record. On my bucket list: Modernism Week in Palm Springs; happy to have done Modernism Week in Phoenix in 2017!! More at camillelefevre.org
Houzz Contributor. Arts journalist specializing in design and architecture. Former... More
“I absolutely love black and white,” says interior designer Barbara Hyde Evans. “Most designers do. We love contrast, and the ultimate contrast is black and white.” After tearing out two tiny attic rooms converted into bedrooms in her Seattle home, Evans added on a second story with a master suite, including bedroom, bath and office. Enlivening the simple color palette is an overscale black-and-white pattern used on the walls, ceilings, bedskirt and window treatments. “If I’m going to do it, I do it big,” she says.
Photos by Laurie Black Photography
Master Suite at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Barbara Hyde Evans and her partner, John Easton
Location: Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle
Size: 650 square feet (60.4 square meters)
It all started during a trip to Palm Springs, California, where Evans also has an office. She found two black lamps with raised white polka dots at an antiques shop there. Those lamps, painted black, now flank the four-poster bed and provide a fun contrast with the more traditional yet large-scale pattern of Thibaut’s Louise wallpaper, bedskirt and window coverings. “I loved the scale of the pattern and the imagery,” she says. The addition’s new windows capture views of Lake Washington, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and Husky Stadium.
Master Suite at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Barbara Hyde Evans and her partner, John Easton
Location: Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle
Size: 650 square feet (60.4 square meters)
It all started during a trip to Palm Springs, California, where Evans also has an office. She found two black lamps with raised white polka dots at an antiques shop there. Those lamps, painted black, now flank the four-poster bed and provide a fun contrast with the more traditional yet large-scale pattern of Thibaut’s Louise wallpaper, bedskirt and window coverings. “I loved the scale of the pattern and the imagery,” she says. The addition’s new windows capture views of Lake Washington, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and Husky Stadium.
Here’s a closer look at the lamps that launched the color palette and decor of the black-and-white master suite.
An antique chandelier and a French nightstand infuse the aesthetic with traditional charm.
An antique chandelier and a French nightstand infuse the aesthetic with traditional charm.
The contrast is carried into furnishings like this chair, upholstered in black fabric with white contrasts.
The white-painted trim around the windows, doors and ceilings is the same as on the lower level of house. “It’s important that the whole house flow and be cohesive,” Evans says.
The white-painted trim around the windows, doors and ceilings is the same as on the lower level of house. “It’s important that the whole house flow and be cohesive,” Evans says.
The bedroom and the office flow together. On the second-floor landing, the antique demilune table and mirror provide additional contrast with the more modern office chairs.
Evans designed the built-in bookshelves for the office. New support beams allowed for the 9½-foot ceilings, which are also downstairs.
Evans designed the built-in bookshelves for the office. New support beams allowed for the 9½-foot ceilings, which are also downstairs.
Charcoal walls contrast with the bright white doors and window trim, with the contrast softened by the Thibaut drapes.
“The office used to be my office away from the office,” Evans says, referring to her interior design business, which occupies the basement level of her home. “But now it’s John’s office.”
“The office used to be my office away from the office,” Evans says, referring to her interior design business, which occupies the basement level of her home. “But now it’s John’s office.”
Evans designed the custom double vanity based on French cabinetry she loves. The vanity is topped with Carrara marble.
For the backsplash, Evans used a simple 4-by-4-inch tile. “If I was going all out with Carrara, I decided I’d better go with these inexpensive tiles, which I placed in a pattern that made them more interesting.”
Browse more Rooms of the Day
For the backsplash, Evans used a simple 4-by-4-inch tile. “If I was going all out with Carrara, I decided I’d better go with these inexpensive tiles, which I placed in a pattern that made them more interesting.”
Browse more Rooms of the Day
Related Stories
Trending Now
The 10 Most Popular Bedrooms So Far in 2024
By Becky Harris
Feather your nest in style with inspiration from Houzz readers’ most-saved bedroom photos
Full Story
Feel-Good Home
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Bedroom
Take these steps to set up a calm and beautiful space that restores body, mind and spirit
Full Story
Lighting
How to Light Your Bedroom Right
By David Warfel
Discover these professional tips for lighting your bedroom and achieving a better night’s sleep
Full Story
New This Week
6 New Bedrooms With Wonderful Wall Treatment Ideas
See how pros awaken these spaces with color, pattern and texture using various wall treatment strategies
Full Story
Trending Now
The Top 10 Kids’ Spaces of 2023
Get ideas for beautiful built-in beds and storage pieces, as well as charming decor, from these most-saved photos
Full Story
Monthly Home Checklists
Your Checklist for Quick Houseguest Prep
Follow these steps to get your home ready in a hurry for overnight visitors
Full Story
Trending Now
The Top 10 Bedrooms of 2023
By Becky Harris
Get ideas for comfortable seating areas, light neutral palettes and layered textures from these most-saved photos
Full Story
Holidays
10 Essentials for a Gracious Guest Room
Stock the room with these basic items to make your overnight visitors comfortable
Full Story
Kids’ Spaces
20 Kids’ Bedrooms That Pump Up the Fun
Space scenes, VW buses, a castle and other fun elements inspired these out-of-this-world bedrooms for toddlers to tweens
Full Story
New This Week
5 Positively Pleasant New Bedrooms
Designers, including two found on Houzz, used a stylish mix of furnishings to create welcoming retreats
Full Story
Every house should have at least one bathroom wallpapered. This one above is beyond gorgeous!
As a lover of toile, I can totally appreciate this! Putting it on the ceiling really "envelopes" you in the pattern. I saw the same idea in a castle in France years ago and even in this "modern" house, it's glorious!