Fine Lines: Decorating with Stripes
My name is Layla, and I'm a designaholic. I work from home as a design consultant and write a home decor blog called The Lettered Cottage.
My name is Layla, and I'm a designaholic. I work from home as a design... More »
I am a total sucker for stripes.
I adore the crisp, visual interest a striped pattern can add to a room. I also love how well they "play" with florals and solids.
But sometimes decorating with stripes can be tricky, so here are some tips I've found to be helpful:
- Because of the automatic visual tension that occurs when using one band of color next to another, avoid using colors that clash. Choosing hues from the same color family will create a more harmonious and subdued look.
- Be intentional about which direction you want your stripes to run. For instance, a drapery panel is generally made from fabric that has vertically-oriented stripes to draw the eye up, and create the illusion of more height in the room. (That being said, there are no rules, so have fun orienting your stripes in unexpected directions if you want to!)
- Counteract striped furnishings and/or walls with several less busy design elements. This will give your eyes a rest from the "excitement" of the stripes and make it possible for them to "do their thing" at the same time.
- When painting stripes on a wall, block the paint from seeping underneath your tape by applying a clear, multi-purpose sealer to the edges of the tape before you paint. Once the sealer is dry, you won't have any more voids between the tape and the wall, so the paint color won't be able to bleed.
- Also, be extra patient when painting stripes- instead of using a fully-loaded brush or roller, use light strokes and build up the paint slowly. Decrease the chance of paint sneaking under the tape even further by placing your brush or roller head directly on the tape and painting into the area you want to paint.
I adore the crisp, visual interest a striped pattern can add to a room. I also love how well they "play" with florals and solids.
But sometimes decorating with stripes can be tricky, so here are some tips I've found to be helpful:
- Because of the automatic visual tension that occurs when using one band of color next to another, avoid using colors that clash. Choosing hues from the same color family will create a more harmonious and subdued look.
- Be intentional about which direction you want your stripes to run. For instance, a drapery panel is generally made from fabric that has vertically-oriented stripes to draw the eye up, and create the illusion of more height in the room. (That being said, there are no rules, so have fun orienting your stripes in unexpected directions if you want to!)
- Counteract striped furnishings and/or walls with several less busy design elements. This will give your eyes a rest from the "excitement" of the stripes and make it possible for them to "do their thing" at the same time.
- When painting stripes on a wall, block the paint from seeping underneath your tape by applying a clear, multi-purpose sealer to the edges of the tape before you paint. Once the sealer is dry, you won't have any more voids between the tape and the wall, so the paint color won't be able to bleed.
- Also, be extra patient when painting stripes- instead of using a fully-loaded brush or roller, use light strokes and build up the paint slowly. Decrease the chance of paint sneaking under the tape even further by placing your brush or roller head directly on the tape and painting into the area you want to paint.
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by A Beach Cottage
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| Here, striped throw pillows add a bit of whimsy to an otherwise solid landscape. |
| A single, striped throw pillow creates a fun little focal point on this sofa. |
I used a clear, multi-purpose sealer (from Michaels) on top of the tape before I painted the stripes in our Reading Room.
A pretty, blue and white striped loveseat draws your eye all the way across this room.
A cheerful, striped rug adds so much visual "fun" to this kitchen.
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| Navy and white striped upholstered elements keep your eye entertained all the way around this room. |
by Chris Kauffman
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I love how the floorboards in this outdoor space are accentuated by alternating bands of color.
A giant striped rug is a lovely addition to this sea-inspired space, and the striped ottoman is the perfect finishing touch!
by flickr.com
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A striped slipcover will instantly breathe new life into any old chair.
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| Black and white stripes make a bold design statement in this predominately white space. |
Monochromatic stripes encourage you to "walk this way".
Light blue, horizontal stripes give this room a little extra texture in a subtle way.
I love how the striped wallcovering lines up perfectly with the striped upholstery fabric on the bench in front of it in this photo.
Ideabook updated on Feb. 12, 2010.
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I love the variety you have shown here---soft & serene to bold & beautiful! There's a stripe for everyone. I'm especially liking the beach cottage, reading room, and hall/entry.
:)
Sindy
http://www.housepaintingtutorials.com/toneontone-stripes-in-my-powder-room.html