House Visit: A Modern San Francisco Townhouse

Add a contrasting tone.

Not ready to go all in on a room bathed in blue or awash in orange? Not to fret. A statement piece in a contrasting color adds visual interest—and an energizing element of surprise to an otherwise streamlined scheme. “A strong pop of contrasting color livens things up a lot,” says New York designer (and former fashion editor) Lilly Bunn, who once placed a bright orange sofa at the center of a room dominated by purple, to striking effect. It’s a technique that bends the rules of a strictly monochromatic look; still, “it’s fun,” she says, “and less formulaic. Nothing should be too perfect. You can't put coffee and the newspaper down in a ‘perfect’ room.”

Make neutrals your friend.

While black may seem a bold choice for a bedroom, San Francisco designer Nicole Newkirk is a steadfast believer in its calming powers. “Black walls can be soothing,” she says. But how does one avoid crossing the line from cozy bedroom retreat to bat cave? “Monochromatic doesn’t mean that you have to stick with just one flat color throughout,” Newkirk says. “You can use various shades of the same color—and you can also use white or other neutrals to complement your primary hue.”

Get into shape.

If it’s a quieter palette you’re going for—grays, browns, or beiges, for example—a compelling variety of shapes and materials is essential. “I love to work with neutrals, especially in the city where your home is truly a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle outside the window,” says Sheena Murphy, founder of New York design studio sheep + stone. “But because the palette is so quiet, shape and material play a big role in adding character and dimension. For instance, the concrete side table in this Boerum Hill bedroom has a soft, playful shape that helps it stand out against the otherwise pale backdrop. Its curves and tones reflect those in the artwork above the bed, and the cumulative effect is a nice counter to the linear patterns on the textiles. Details like these keep the eye moving and prevents the palette from feeling flat or cold.”