Monochrome: it’s the ultimate high-impact duo – in fact, this combo has been loved by the design world since the year dot. Here’s VISI’s guide to a graphic match made in aesthetic heaven.

A Bit of a Grey Area

The timeless black-and- white combination manifests in nature, creative endeavours and ways that help us make sense of our world. But zebra crossings, penguins, American cop cars and 101 Dalmatians aside, there’s slightly confusing theory that underpins the mix.

For starters, black and white are known as achromatic colours. By that we mean that they are without hue. Simple? Not so fast: some people think neither is a colour at all – black, they argue, is the absence of colour. Then there’s the camp who reckons both are only shades. It’s endlessly debatable stuff.

We commonly refer to black and white together as “monochromatic”. Monochrome means “one colour”, and all black-and-white images and items qualify here. But monochrome could also refer to an image that uses any mix of a single colour. A painting only made in shades of green? Yup, that’s monochrome too. Not so black and white after all…

The Write Stuff

The variance achieved by putting the two “colours” together makes a powerful statement. It’s also this high contrast that makes black ink on white paper or black type on a white screen the easiest to read. An entire world has evolved around creating typography – designing and arranging letters and text so that copy is legible and appealing.

At VISI, we use Codec and Bembo in our body copy, but globally, the most used font is Helvetica. Created in 1957 by Swiss typeface designer Max Miedinger and entrepreneur Eduard Hoffmann, it is used in corporate identities, including those of Nestlé, Microsoft and BMW. It’s an example of a “sans serif” font which, as the name suggests, is a typeface that doesn’t have serifs or small lines attached to the letters. A serif font does – think classic Times New Roman, created in 1931 for the UK’s Times newspaper (hence the name).

The Soft Life

At first glance, black- and-white interiors may seem a balm to the colour-averse, but they offer so much more. The first win is that this approach can be interpreted in whatever way you fancy. If traditional decor
is your thing, there are timeless chequerboard floors and oversized couches with white slip-on covers. If minimalism floats your boat, sexy-lined pieces can be found at French brand Ligne Roset’s showroom in Kramerville. Go white-heavy in a space, or lean hard into black – your call.

The trick is to contrast the shades boldly, and add interest with textures, accessories (especially ceramics) and patterns. Think about painting walls or kitchen cabinets black, or going big with monochrome wallpaper. A black-and-white palette is especially effective on soft furnishings, and there is no shortage of exceptional fabrics that utilise this killer combo. French brand Pierre Frey, founded in 1935, is especially known for its showstopper, modern, painterly monochrome textiles, while British interiors stalwart Colefax and Fowler offers some great classic options. You’ll find both imports in SA at Mavromac.

St Leger & Viney also excels at monochrome softs, and brings in the fab Portuguese brand Aldeco, whose Decoupé Velvet in black reminds you what a statement fabric is. And remember: it absolutely works to introduce tones of grey and off-white, metallics and even the odd bright accent to an otherwise colour-free zone.

Ramping it Up

Has there ever been a modern moment when black and white wasn’t in fashion? Tuxedos, Vans slip-ons, a classic spotty frock – the pair can be graphic, elegant or edgy, and can work in any context. Every designer, from Christian Dior to Thebe Magugu, has given the combo a spin – but there are some couturiers who’ve made it part of their signature.

British designer and 1960s mod icon Mary Quant is celebrated for popularising super-short mini-skirts and dresses. She’s also remembered for bold, geometric monochrome outfits, with matching stockings and accessories.

Quant’s op art-like sartorial spin is juxtaposed with the sophisticated take on the topic by its undisputed queen, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. The French designer famously said, “Women think of all colours except the absence of colour. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.” Adoration for the combo is clear in everything from Chanel’s minimal logo to contemporary interpretations of its founder’s famous suits.

A current exhibition at London’s V&A Museum, Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto, illustrates this brand mainstay perfectly.

Looking Through a Lens

Artists naturally tend towards black and white. From preliminary sketches in charcoal on paper to huge paintings like Pablo Picasso’s harrowing oil depiction of war, Guernica, it’s a relationship that goes back centuries. Photography is one of the more recent extensions of this dynamic, having only been invented 200 years ago.

South Africa has an impressive history of black-and-white photography – both as art and in the reportage sense. The photographers who worked for Drum magazine in the middle of the last century epitomised the latter. Peter Magubane, Alf Kumalo, Jürgen Schadeberg and Bob Gosani were just some of the team who captured life under apartheid so evocatively for the publication. You can buy prints, notebooks and T-shirts featuring Drum’s famous covers from Shop BAHA at Johannesburg’s 44 Stanley.

The late David Goldblatt and Santu Mofokeng, Joburg-based Roger Ballen and Cape Town-based Jo Ractliffe are our most famous black-and-white art photography exports. Jo’s recent body of work, “Landscaping”, which showed at Stevenson gallery in Cape Town earlier this year, depicted images taken on the west coast of the country. These strong, unexpected expressions of terrain illustrate why her work is in such high demand. They are also a precursor (and inspiration) to several exciting young talents who are using this punchy medium.

Zimbabwean-born Tatenda Chidora is one example. A commercial, fine art and fashion photographer, his work was exhibited at the important 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London this year, with Joburg gallery BKhz. His creations are representative of what people call “new African photography”, and his fascination with light, portraiture and “beloved black-and- white photography” manifests as powerful interpretations of everyday urban life.

No Colour Block

It makes sense, given their propensity for order, balance and proportion, that architects would gravitate towards both the tonal harmony and the drama created by black and white. Canada’s Matière Première Architecture’s Dyptique project is the perfect illustration of this. The small Quebec firm made the most of the spectacular surroundings with this angular beauty – saltbox roof and glass walkway included. The black wood exterior and predominantly white interior emphasise the team’s precise design.

By comparison, US architect David Jameson transformed an existing house into a knockout home that uses white stucco, impressive volume, black window frames and what the studio calls “glass temples” as an offset to a particularly verdant site. This build is an example of what clever reinvention of space can achieve.

That said, our absolute favourite black-and- white residential building is undoubtedly local House 4AK, conjured by Swansilva Architecture. This Kleinmond gem is an exercise in welcoming contemporary design, with informal white bagged-brick walls offsetting a black roof and window frames. The combination results in a wonderful family home that seems to emerge from the fynbos.

Looking for more design inspiration? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, here.

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After buying it sight unseen in the Western Cape coastal village of Scarborough, this home’s owner not only effected an extensive refurbishment, but also found herself personally transformed by living here.

“I thought I was a city girl – until I spent lockdown in Scarborough,” says South African film director Nicole Ackermann. That this small coastal village just outside Cape Point Nature Reserve in Cape Town is now her home was as much a surprise to her as it was to her family and friends. A place of wild winds and brutally cold water, its untamed beauty is not for everyone – yet it struck a chord with the globe-trotting Nicole the moment she arrived. “My time here changed my outlook and values significantly. Up until then, I was more outwardly seeking for inspiration; now I realise the value of looking inwards more.”

When the world returned to “normal”, Nicole found herself back in Los Angeles for work, but regularly trawling property websites in the hopes of finding a home in Scarborough. “It was quite a revelation that, although living here wasn’t necessarily what I had envisaged for myself, it was what I desperately craved.” So when this house came up for sale, her family were sent to check it out. “I remember my sister sending me a video that she took outside the back kitchen door,” says Nicole with a smile. “Hearing the cicadas and the sound of the ocean made me incredibly emotional; it was like a homecoming. Just like that, it was a done deal – I literally bought it unseen.”

When she was finally able to see the house in person, she had no regrets. “The high-volume arched windows were what initially caught my attention, and they were even better in reality, as the house had been so beautifully designed around them,” she says. As a whole, the home has four bedrooms, but it can be split into three separate units. The main house has its own entrance and two en suite bedrooms, as well as a living, dining and kitchen area; while the cottage that leads off the back courtyard is a single dwelling with its own kitchen, en suite bathroom and entrance. The basement of the house is where you’ll find the laundry, a studio, and another guest bedroom with its own entrance. “There are also two container rooms that I currently use as storage space but that are earmarked for a cinema,” says Nicole.

Although Nicole’s plans were initially for a fairly superficial refurbishment, once she started, she realised broad strokes were required. Structurally, the biggest change was the relocation of the original kitchen to the other side of the living area. “I’m not a cook but I love entertaining, and so I wanted an area where you could read and lounge and take in the incredible views.” Today, an L-shaped built-in banquette deep enough to sleep on wraps around the dining table, while the kitchen has direct access to the back dining area and another terrace.

All the bathrooms were replaced and the floors sanded and repainted, while outdoors, a pool, a Jacuzzi and a deck were installed, along with an entirely new cactus and succulent garden. “I’ve worked a lot in Mexico and found Frida Kahlo’s house hugely inspirational, hence the cactus garden – and my love of skulls and crystals too!” The original house was white, but Nicole’s desire for it to complement the environment called for something drastic – all black. “I find black very soothing, and I love how the house now reads against the mountain. It’s unobtrusive, and any greenery you put against it just pops.’

Nicole started off with an interior designer but ended up completing the project on her own. “I wanted to create a series of neutral, luxe spaces that felt good to be in, but also comfortable and connected to the outdoors.” A calm yet sophisticated palette of stone, linen, leather and wood is the perfect canvas for a life punctuated by music evenings, film club, family gatherings and days at the pool. With views from every room, and mountain walks in Baskloof Private Fynbos Nature Reserve just two minutes from her back door, it’s a dream lifestyle. “Scarborough has a legacy of wild expression and cultural rebellion that I felt drawn to, and a creative community that has become my tribe.”

Looking for more architectural inspiration? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, here.

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We chat with Cathri van den Berg, owner of Silver Rabbit Interior Design, about creating a light functional office space that gives visitors peace of mind and room for creative expression.

Tell us about Silver Rabbit Interior Design?

The spaces we inhabit have the potential to be sources of great fulfilment and joy. I design with my clients’ well-being in mind: What do they need from their space? How will it function? What aesthetic excites them? What will be their experience of the space after I have completed the project? I am a qualified Engineer and Interior Designer and this gives me a unique point of view. I believe design is a whole brain exercise: one needs the left brain for measuring, planning and organisation and the right brain to bring emotion, creativity, colour and texture.

My work is comprised of a variety of styles, from very traditional to utterly contemporary. I believe every client and project is unique and deserves to have their needs met using exceptional interior design.

Elaborate on the function of the space?

The space needed to be able to receive and host clients as well as provide desks for employees to work. I decided to place the former on the ground floor and the latter on the mezzanine level. Comfortable chairs welcome guests at the entrance and the island provides ample seating and space to display samples. The landscape art on the wall behind the island is a Samsung Frame television used for presentations. 

What was the brief for the revamp of the space?

To create a space where a wide variety of people would feel comfortable. This inspired the neutral colour palette and eclectic selections. Everyone that enters finds something they love. 
Another requirement was to combine old and new. As this was a new office building, design elements needed to be brought in to give character and depth.

What pieces did you use to create the aesthetic?

I took inspiration from the building’s industrial-inspired architecture and combined this with warm minimalism. 

The vintage etching-inspired mural speaks to the arched windows and red brick facade. The custom panelling I designed is a marriage of old and new: the frame reminds one of a Jacobean-style grid, but the natural white colour and round wooden shapes that fill it, bring a contemporary touch. The mural and panelling also fill an awkward space in a way that feels harmonious with the rest of the design.

The panelling is constructed of wooden half-rounds and this detail is repeated on the island. I pulled this detail through by adding round shapes throughout the space in furniture and styling. 

I installed floating shelves to display various objects: Locally made artisanal ceramics, vintage finds and contemporary pieces. I used different textures and finishes: brass, matt taupe cabinetry, white oak elements and boucle fabric upholstery.

What are some stand-out features?

• The vintage etching-inspired mural with panelling around it.
• I continued the industrial theme by using old patents as wall art in various settings throughout the space.
• The table lamp on the side table between the upholstered chairs resembles a piece of laboratory titration equipment.
• The white ceramics, on floating shelves in the double volume, add texture to the space whilst still keeping the focus on other parts of the design.

How did you decide on the monochrome theme?

To appeal to a wide variety of people was my first consideration. A monochrome colour palette has the added benefit of being calming and serene as well as allowing for a play of textures. 

What was the process for recreating the office?

Looking at the needs of the future occupants is my first consideration. What do they need from the space functionally as well as aesthetically? The rest flows from there.

Future plans?

Making the world a more functional and beautiful place, one space at a time. It is important to us to continue building relationships with our clients and suppliers. We are very excited about our upcoming commercial and residential projects. 

Looking for more design inspiration? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, here.

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A timeless decor trend, black and white can be seen throughout recent history, from the Victorian era and the Art Deco period to the 1970s Korean Dansaekhwa style of painting and contemporary Scandinavian design. Here are 10 pieces to keep in mind for your home.

Stua Eclipse Nesting Tables

POA | CREMA

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Circular Wall Shelf

R480 | Deft

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Corr Medium Pot

R499 | Country Road

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Laurence 3-seater Couch

R9 700 | Cielo

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Soho Bowl

R79.95 | Studio W

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VISI X Skinny laMinx BREEZE Throw

R2 425 | VISI Shop

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Writers Desk

R1 600 | MRP Home

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Resin Tumbler

R129 | @home

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Husk Desk Lamp

R899 | Superbalist

Shop

Sugar Cube Side Table 

R1 749 | Popstrukt

Shop

Looking for more local buys? Here’s 11 statement table lamps for your home and our favourite new coffee table books.

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A monochromatic exterior conceals a celebration of colour, creativity and remembrance in this playful and joyful apartment.

If you’re looking for an architecture and design equivalent of “never judge a book by its cover”, this apartment in the Onyx must be it. Its white-accented black-mirror façade and similarly themed foyer and corridors provide little hint of the explosion of neon that awaits when you step into Gavin Hendricks’s apartment in this Cape Town Foreshore building.

It didn’t start out this way, though. The apartment was purchased renovated and, according to interior designer Etienne Hanekom, “The palette was quite stark and lacking in personality, but it wasn’t really a blank canvas. There were many black walls and finishes that we couldn’t ignore. Strong lines dominated the space, as did the use of white, light grey and black.”

That would’ve been fine for a corporate apartment, but Gavin wanted something more energetic. Layering colours and textures started to soften the hard edges, with some of the straight lines exaggerated and others softened. “There’s a bit of give and take around every corner,” says Etienne.

READ MORE: Etienne Hanekom’s Signal Hill Home

Monochromatic interiors have their place, Etienne says – but first, you need to understand that colour evokes emotion, and then you need to decide what emotion you’d like the room to evoke. “I have never been through a black-and-white stage in my life,” he says. “Colour is always with me, whether it’s muted or bright, crisp or dirty.” And this space is certainly an example of adding sparks of emotion to your surroundings through the use of colour, texture and pattern. “Colour does not bite – it is the essence of life; it forms part of life’s natural beauty,” he adds. “Colour allows us to distinguish between the different objects we find in the world, and influences how we perceive the world around us.”

Gavin’s apartment is the product of several bold ideas thrown into a bowl. Between him and Etienne, the options were mixed around and picked out one by one, resulting in a space that’s proudly unapologetic. And while it may appear brazen and carefree, it has depth too, with each room meticulously curated. “The colour and the sense of life is what I love about it,” says Gavin. “And that’s quite a dichotomy.

READ MORE: Green Point Apartment with Interiors by Etienne Hanekom

Because of what’s happened to me, I’ve got a firm philosophical belief that the best things in life aren’t things – and yet that’s not the impression you would get when you come in here. I think that’s why I’ve put Lenin in the lounge – he was such an ‘anti-things’ person, and quite homophobic too, so I decided to put him there to observe how happy the people he despises can actually be.”

There’s a poignant element to the apartment as well – it’s a reminder of love. The space is a celebration of the life Gavin shared with his husband Andy, who passed away on Valentine’s Day in 2020. The apartment’s number is also the date of their wedding anniversary.

Looking for more architectural inspiration? Take a look at this Keurbooms Lagoon home or this spectacular colouful pool Etienne worked on.

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Situated in the picturesque French landscape of Mont-Blanc Chamonix, this multi-chalet property envisaged by Chevallier Architects is a modern getaway with spectacular views.

The idea of starting the Les Belles Échappées project came when architect Renaud Chevallier discovered the expansive land on which it is now built and proposed it to a client. This led to a proposal to create a multi-tier structure framed around the exquisite view of Mont Blanc, as seen from the main bedroom of this home, which is bathed in light.

The two chalets are built from concrete and dressed in wood and metal, characteristic of the architectural agency’s distinctive artistic approach to designing structures that work on light, using materials that are in harmony with the environment. The materials also enhance and complement the minimalist interior decor. 

The Belles Échappées development also includes wellness areas, such as a sauna and spas, all powered by geothermal energy to reduce energy consumption.

And the interiors are just as striking as the surrounds, boasting an open-plan design in which each space flows into another. Sleek monochromatic furnishings convey ultra-modern feel, while the use of wood prevents it from presenting itself as a stoic, cold structure. The project was completed in 2019, driven by a strong design team who navigated the technical aspects of the location and the combining of the two structures, while ensuring that functionality did not compromise on aesthetics. 

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With flowing lines and monochrome hues, this generous Pretoria family home lets the outdoors take centre stage as it threads its roots deep into the heart of a mountain.

“Our journey on this project started with a phone call, which turned into a fascinating conversation,” says architect Greté van As of meeting the owners of this striking home for the first time. Having distilled their passion for balance between nature, people and architecture into an award-winning signature style, architectural duo Johan Wentzel and Greté van As of W Design Architecture Studio were, she says, thrilled at the opportunity to design a new residence for a like-minded family on one of the last pieces of pristine bushveld in Pretoria.

Blessed with spectacular views towards the north, and with the magnificent Bronberg Mountain as a backdrop, the architects were inspired to design a home that would merge unobtrusively into this very unique landscape. “We challenged ourselves to leave behind the smallest of footprints while introducing built structures into the sensitive surroundings,” Johan says.

Fortunately, a portion of the indigenous brush had already been disturbed at the base of the mountain, which became the perfect spot for further man-made meddling. The entire house was designed as a series of terraces originating from this base, climbing gradually up the mountain to make the most of the views. “Despite the rather large accommodation brief, we wanted to create intimate spaces – each with its own unique sense of identity, and each retaining its own direct connection to the mountain and the views,” says Johan.

Viewed from the top, the house again becomes one with nature as each indoor space flows seamlessly into the outdoors. Surrounded by nature on all sides, it comes complete with an indigenous roof garden to reclaim the natural landscape when viewed from above. “This is one of the things I love most about the house – the bottom levels disappear completely from view as they become a part of the landscape again,” says Johan.

Despite being hidden from view, the pavilions are all interconnected internally through a series of discreetly placed staircases and glazed sliding doors, allowing nature to weave and flow continuously through each space from one tier to the next.

Throughout the construction process, the owners made it clear that the existing fauna and flora would come first, and moved not a single tree from its original location. Carrying this theme into the interior of the house, the detailing and finishes were kept clean-cut and minimalist. Monochrome hues and natural materials further define the interior style.

“With nature being the artwork here, we styled the house to complement it, rather than compete with it,” Greté explains. “Even the furniture is entirely arranged towards the views.”

Regardless of the simplicity of the design, there’s a tangible sense of drama that compels the eye to look again. From the bedrooms, tufts of grass wave unassumingly over an impossibly clear drop of blue skyline; in the kitchen, the mountain seems on the verge of jumping through the window; and in the living room, the concrete roof garden defies gravity by floating on little more than thin air.

With its sensitive approach towards nature and its sophisticated simplicity, this house deservedly received a Pretoria Institute for Architecture award in 2019.

Love this space? Check out this modern Irene home.

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London-born artist Shantell Martin is known for her signature black-and-white line illustrations that feature on everything from walls, shoes and cars to found objects and even circuit boards.

Her work blurs the boundaries between fine art, technology, performance art and day-to-day living. Through her creations, Shantell’s mission is the quest for identity, both for herself through her pieces and for that of the viewer who experiences them.

Image credit: Matt Doyle

Shantell has had a series of extremely successful solo shows around the world, including at the 92Y Gallery in New York, the MoCADA Museum and The Albright Knox Gallery. She has also collaborated with renowned brands such as Nike, PUMA (we previously featured her collab here), Vitra, Max Mara and Tiffany & Co.

Currently, she teaches at NYU Tisch ITP, working with her students to explore visual art, storytelling and technology.

See more of her work on Instagram and on her website.

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A black-and-white colour scheme adds drama and depth to the interior of a sophisticated city hideaway.

When Nick Gluckman, the owner of Oggie Hardwood Flooring, and his wife Robyn chose to overhaul their majestic Tamboerskloof home, it was both an emotive and a financial decision. Recently married, the couple wanted to create a refreshed canvas that reflected their new life together and at the same time maximise the value of their property.

One decision was a no-brainer: extending upwards from the double garage to create a self-contained unit for guests staying over.

Having worked with design duo Zeanne Duminy and James Goss of Zeanne + Goss Interior Architecture Designs on previous ventures over the past 10 years, Nick had absolute confidence in their vision and gave them carte blanche with the build.

“I let them run with it 100%,” he says. “I saw concepts, made quick decisions and had faith in their abilities. My only directive was that I wanted timber cladding.” Nick and Robyn’s trust paid off handsomely. The end result is an elegant space that is practical (think easy cleaning and solution-based storage) and utterly captivating.

One of the most striking aspects of this build is the charred-timber exterior cladding. Designed by James, it’s an arresting detail that offers privacy, character and contrast to the white bagged-brick walls. “To ensure the cladding wouldn’t warp, we experimented with different iterations before settling on larch, which was charred to the desired colour,” Zeanne explains. The slats are spaced widely enough apart for guests to appreciate the mountainscape, yet closely enough together to act as an organic veil.

“We wanted the mountain and the timber screen to be the main stars,” Zeanne says. As a whole, the unit peeks out over an urban street, much like a bird hide would offer an observational retreat for twitchers.

Inside, the studio is pared-down yet punchy. Occasional timber elements such as oiled and stained oak veneer add warmth and contrast – and the timber cladding narrative is repeated, albeit reinterpreted above a low wall that defines the bathroom space.

It was a challenge to work with the limited space in the 42 m² flat, but Zeanne and James performed wizardry with clever storage solutions. Generous drawers under the bed offer space for luggage, alcoves on either side of the flat-screen TV provide space for things like an iPod, and the cupboards all feature finger-groove handles or push-release for maximum sleekness.

“We were bold in some of our decisions in order to create depth in the small space,” says Zeanne. “And although the matte black fittings might date in 10 years, they are easy to swap out when the time is right.”

To soften the look, potted plants bring elements of the outdoors in – punctuating this urban hide with reminders of the world beyond the timber cladding.

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Artist Albert Chamillard uses worn-out notebooks to create monochromatic, geometric doodles that are reminiscent of optical art.

His pieces are all made using pen, with a repetitive and three-dimensional quality that nods to the popular ’90s tool – the spirograph – featuring numerous circular patterns and repetitive line work.

He draws a few hours per week, often while on the phone or in meetings, where he plans out his concise illustrations. When he isn’t “doodling” he runs a drawing and bookmaking studio.

See more of his mesmerising work on Instagram.

(h/t) thisiscolossal.com

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