If you haven’t seen Persepolis, the Academy Award-nominated Best Animated Feature (based on the Marjane Satrapi graphic novel), go today! From opening credits to ending, it’s a gem of a movie whose core themes are integrity, authenticity and the indomitable human spirit. It’s in French with subtitles and, appropriately enough, most of it’s in black and white. Thus, the inspiration for my Marjane room.

Here are just a few thought starters. There are plenty—and I mean PLENTY—more in the Chiasso catalog. So… This rug really caught my eye.

Now if I put it with this chair and ottoman…

Too much? It’s kinda wild. Just in case, I’m calling for back-up.

Next, let’s add a little structure…

And proper lighting.

(Note how “shiny” perks up the black and white contrast.)

Next, cocktail and side tables….A cozy bar ensemble, a funky clock, some really cool vases—

unique shelving and fluffy pillows (on sale, buy-the-buy), and voilà!

By all means, you can try this at home with equal, if not completely unsurpassed results. In fact, like all great black-and-white films, your room is destined to become a modern classic.

Even if you tire of being a purist, you can always add splashes of color and still preserve your design integrity, style authenticity and the indomitable human spirit in which you always create.

I’d love to hear your thoughts–on the movie, this room, and the other ones in your head and in your actual living space.