The exterior of this traditional house is the starting point of “a modern take on black and white” story. (Rita LeBleu/American Press)

A local designer described a recently completed South Lake Charles interior space as “a modern take on black and white.” Black and white has become one of his hallmarks.

“I always include black and white in every space,” Lance Thomas said. “I included it in the Bodega Wine Dive, in my own house…in every client’s home. Using black and white helps creates a full spectrum that allows you to better see all the colors in between.”

He points to a black and white pillow on the sofa.

“Now look at the wall color,” he said. “You probably thought it was white when you first walked in.”

Looking at the pure white in the sofa’s accent pillow does make it easier to see the barest hint of color in the wall paint.

(Rita LeBleu/American Press)

Thomas likes stressing that good design is not synonymous with expensive. By the same token, just because something is expensive does not make it good design. However, attention to detail is paramount.

A winsome room design begins with a single item of inspiration. In this case it was a collection of doubloons from the homeowner’s grandfather. Thomas had the doubloons custom framed. The gold bamboo style frame led to the selection of the sofa pillow that features green leaves and a garden room vibe. These two vertical framed doubloon pieces flank one attention-grabbing painting.

Colors in the simple, but dramatic modern graphic resemble a loosely painted bulls eye in earth tones. The earthy yellow is found in the area rug. Dark green leather chairs with nailhead trim are separated from the unusual looking sofa by a coffee table topped with succulents.

The sofa is actually a daybed.

“When the pillows are removed, the whole family can pile up on it and watch TV,” Thomas said. “I enjoyed this job because I got to show parents that they don’t have to choose between function and meaningful design just because they have two small children.”

Thomas has his own furniture line, Thomas Guy. It includes a sofa protected with Krypton technology.

“Just because you have children doesn’t mean you can’t have that white linen sofa you’ve always wanted,” Thomas said. “Forget stain resistant. This is stain proof.”

This silver and gold chandelier, from Thomas’ Visual Comfort line, gives the homeowner the freedom to transition from one metal to another or to deftly mix metals. (Rita LeBleu / American Press)

Thomas always includes an antique in his spaces.

“It doesn’t matter if the space is traditional or modern,” he said. “When everything in a room is from one period or one family of furnishings, the entire space can lose its appeal.”

He considers lighting to be the jewelry of the home.

“It sets the tone,” Thomas said, “in just the way you set the tone for an outfit when you dress it up or down with jewelry.”

Local lighting consultant Erin Howle, at Joseph’s Electrical Center, agrees that lighting plays a vital role in a room’s décor.

“The challenge is to find lighting that looks great in the space and offers great functionality,” she said, “but it can be done.”