Jack's Love List #84: Monochrome Moments

This week, it’s all about the monochrome. One of those timeless trends that often gets pigeonholed under Art Deco design. Maybe it’s the fact I have been judging at York Races this week on the Fashion Lawn and I’ve seen a lot of monochrome moments in fashion, but I love a bit of black and white in the home. And Dave especially loves a bit of black and white in his wardrobe, so I have a little round up of items for the home, for her and for him, all featuring that classic colour combination. So, lets dive straight in.

We are starting with interiors and some great little pops of monochromatic moments that add to your decor and make it feel more considered than simply checking a box.

And talking of checks, we are going to start with H&M Home and this gorgeous marble chequered box, which is slightly on the more pricey side for H&M at £34.99, but it is marble after all. This would look great styled up on a bedside table for jewellery, on a coffee table, or just to add levels to your shelf styling. In the same collection, they also have the striped marble candlestick. I love the simple form and shape of this, which really lets the stark colour palette do all the talking.

Next up, I am a sucker for a statement lamp, and Lighting Direct have this striking, and even more beauitfully named Wisteria Bordeaux striped table lamp. Yes, we know I love a stripe too, so its a double win. Interestingly both the base and the shade of this lamp is ceramic, which means it will create a nice downlight, perfect for setting that ambient mood with low level lighting.

However, if you want a statement but it to be more of a reading lamp, The Range have this bargain black and white striped base option with a natural rattan shade. Even better this is currently on sale at just £17.99. This definitely punches a lot of personality for very little pounds.

Onto one of my favourite retailers on these lists it’s, Dunelm, and I could not miss out the chance to featuring napkin, as we know I have a slight obsession with them. These gorgeous striped, ruffle edged napkins have that added little bit of fun with the embroidered wording. You get a set of four for £12, and each napkin has a different saying on it, such as ‘elbows off the table’ or ‘save room for pudding’. I think these are just so fun and make a real fun talking point when you have friends around for brunch or dinner party.

Also from Dunelm, and currently reduced, is that Fallon accent chair, which I actually spotted a couple of years ago in person at the press show, and I must admit it is very comfy. It’s reduced to £149.50, so it’s half price from the original price tag of £299.99. This is the sort of chair that would make a great statement piece for a dining room an office area, or bedroom.

Now, if you have been in any Anthropologie store over the last few years you were probably know the bistro tile collection. It’s one of their staple collections which has become iconic. They even do seasonal specials for Halloween and Christmas, but these are my three absolute classics for me. The sugar bowl at £12.00, The rise and shine canister at £22.00, and a more recent addition, the Mon Cheri ceramic fruit bowl or punnet basket, which is both beautiful and practical, especially when it comes to washing a strawberries or cherries. I just love the vintage French styling to this collection.

Lastly, for the Home, and sticking with the black and white and a touch of accent gold, because that’s face it, gold is also in neutral. This is one of those pieces I’ve lusted after for years, the Jonathan Adler decanters. This one obviously is the vodka decanter, which is currently available at John Lewis, they seem to constantly sell out making them very hard to find these days. Now, these are quite an investment at £175 each, especially as a lot of people don’t decant their spirits anymore (including Myself). But I’ve always just loved the idea of having the full collection of these in a bar area. I may have to start putting them on my Christmas list.

Links:

• Striped Marble Candlestick £24.99 - Click Here

• Checked Lidded Marble Box £34.99 - Click Here

• Wisteria Bordeaux Lamp £59.99 - Click Here

• Daleyza Black White and Natural Table Lamp £17.99 - Click Here

• Dunelm Pack of 4 Bistro Slogan Napkins £12.00 - Click Here

• Fallon Woven Stripe Bolster Accent Chair was £299.99 now £149.50 - Click Here

• Anthropologie Bistro Tile Sugar Bowl £12.00 - Click Here

• Anthropologie Bistro Tile Canister £22.00 - Click Here

• Anthropologie Bistro Tile Berry Basket £14.00 - Click Here

• Jonathan Adler Space Age Rocket Porcelain Decanter £175.00 - Click Here

Now we move onto a few fashion items I have found in the menswear section, but as we know, fashion is quite fluid, so there might something that catches the eye for you your partner or just anyone really.

I love a New Balance trainer, especially the 327’s. I have them in a few different colours and I have definitely featured the leopard print ones before on my love lists. I do, however, have the black ones with the white N logo. Honestly, the 327’s ask some of the comfy trainers I’ve ever owned, and these ones in particular go with everything making them a great go to pair if you’re wanting to try a new balance for the first time.

Marks & Spencer’s are having another strong season, as rumour has it they have employed designers from Hugo boss and Reiss. Embroilered casual shirt is something Dave would definitely wear. In fact, he owns a very similar one as part of a co ord from ZARA. What I love about this though, is it actually quite a thick embroidery, as opposed to just a printed pattern. It gives your outfit that more layered, textured and considered look, and at £40, I actually think this is a very good price for the amount of work that’s gone into it.

Also from Marks & Spencer’s are their quick drying swim shorts which I can testify are very quick drying, I have tried and tested them myself. This pair is in a gorgeous zigzag almost ikat print, which would not only work great as swimwear around the pool, but also dressed up with a black linen shirt, or a white vest and denim over shirt. For £25.00, they are very versatile.

And lastly is piece from a brand called Wax London, which I absolutely love, and if you watch The Traitors Uk, you will have noticed Alan Carr wears a lot of this brand. This is one of their signature prints in their Iggy Spin Jacket. Now, it’s actually in a very, very dark inky navy and white, so I am slightly cheating this week by featuring it. But I think this is such a statement jacket that you could easily wear this over and over. Dress it up with a smart dark denim or chino with a shirt, or dressed down over shorts. Dave has a jacket very similar to this, which we actually found in Zara in Rhodes hanging on the last chance rail, and he gets so many compliments on it, and asked where its from.

Links:

• New Balance 327 Trainer Black £100.00 - Click Here

• M&S Cotton Blend Embroidered Short Sleeve Shirt £40.00 - Click Here

• M&S Quick Dry Textured Printed Swim Shorts £25.00 - Click Here

• Iggy Spin Jacquard Jacket £175.00 - Click Here

Last but not least, it’s the ladies section this week, with a couple of monochrome pieces to add to the wardrobe, or archive as I like to refer to mine.

I actually spotted the River Island cutaway, almost broderie style dress on somebody at the races this week, and they had dressed it up with a gold belt, shoes and accessories. It looked so good. At £59.00, it’s one of those dresses that you evidently dress up, but equally you could dress down with sandals and a big rattan totes for holidays. I love the fact that they have added that white detailing to the cutaway work.

Another massively strong print while judging the Fashion Lawn this week has been the classic polka dots. It’s a style and a trend that have been around for a while, especially in race day fashion. I mean, the brown and cream polka number from Pretty Woman is synonymous with racing, we see it every year. However, there’s been a massive increase in monochrome over the last couple of years. Nobody’s Child always have some great options when it comes to a monochrome. Firstly, their elastic waist Kitty skirt, which comes in a midi length and is available in both colourways of the print. Their other item that caught my eye is their Alice bandeau dress, which is currently on sale at £88.00. It creates a mix of both of those polka materials. Again, this is a great dress up, or down versatile piece.

And last, but by no means least, this week are the gorgeous Carvela sheer mesh polkadot heeled court shoes. These shoes constantly sell out, but at the moment Selfridges do have quite a good size range in stock. They are an investment is £139, however these are very similar to some iconic Dior heels which you’ll be looking at ten times price for. Now, I know these are not strictly monochrome and they are in fact just Black, but I’m going to assume the sole is an off-white so I can get away with it on a technicality. And it’s my love list, so it’s my rules.

Links:

• River Island Black Cotton Cutwork Dress £59.00 - Click Here

• Nobodys Child Kitty Polka Midi Skirt £65.00 - Click Here

• Nobodys Child Alice Bandeau Midi Dress now £88.00 - Click Here

• Carvela Postiano Sheer Polka Heeled Courts £139.00 - Click Here

That is it for me this week, packed full of monochromatic moments. Black and white is definitely one of the most timeless colour combinations and one that works so well with a pop of colour. I would love to hear from you about what item you’re loving, how would you style it? And what are the colours you love to see with black and white. Personally, I love red with monochrome. How about you?

As always, I would love it if you would like, comment and share with a friend, and keep building this great little community we have over here on Substack. Have a lovely week

P.S.please note that some of these items are affiliate links. It doesn’t cost you anything, it just means that I get a small commission and can help keep these posts free for us all to read and enjoy.