Stripes Forever
I'm a Chicago-based writer, editorial consultant, and bon vivant with ten years experience providing cultural content and marketing communications for local publications, businesses and nonprofits. I've written extensively on design and fine art for magazines like TimeOut Chicago, NewCity, TENbyTEN, Sculpture and Artkrush, and I'm currently the Managing Editor of Flavorpill Chicago. I live with partner, Christopher, on the South Side of Chicago.
I'm a Chicago-based writer, editorial consultant, and bon vivant with ten... More »
Low ceilings? Tiny room? Bland space in need of an instant style injection? Consider decorating with stripes.
Striped patterns can be timeless and traditional –– imagine a man's navy-blue pinstriped suit. Or they can be brash and glam as zebra print, preppy (nautical flags, seersucker, Woolrich blankets) or pure girly fun like the pink striped wallpaper at Victoria's Secret.
Stripes draw the eye in whatever direction they run. Paint vertical stripes on a wall to make ceilings seem higher, and horizontal stripes to make a room seem wider. Use them sparingly on accessories, rugs and pillows, or take a risk and run wild with bold stripes in a tiny vestibule or an entire accent wall.
Legendary decorator Dorothy Draper made her mark by mixing cabbage-rose-printed chintz with bold stripes. Decades later, David Hicks '60s looks paired striped walls with wall-to-wall carpet in pop prints. For your own eclectic mix, juxtapose stripes with other patterns like plaids, dots and florals –– the key is a unified, harmonious color palette.
Striped patterns can be timeless and traditional –– imagine a man's navy-blue pinstriped suit. Or they can be brash and glam as zebra print, preppy (nautical flags, seersucker, Woolrich blankets) or pure girly fun like the pink striped wallpaper at Victoria's Secret.
Stripes draw the eye in whatever direction they run. Paint vertical stripes on a wall to make ceilings seem higher, and horizontal stripes to make a room seem wider. Use them sparingly on accessories, rugs and pillows, or take a risk and run wild with bold stripes in a tiny vestibule or an entire accent wall.
Legendary decorator Dorothy Draper made her mark by mixing cabbage-rose-printed chintz with bold stripes. Decades later, David Hicks '60s looks paired striped walls with wall-to-wall carpet in pop prints. For your own eclectic mix, juxtapose stripes with other patterns like plaids, dots and florals –– the key is a unified, harmonious color palette.
French doors, a glittering chandelier, an oversize Flokati rug and a louche tufted chaise lounge are a megadose of midcentury Hollywood glamour –– yet the white racing stripes on a sky-blue wall, coupled with the modern bedside lamp and pops of red, are smart era-mixing touches that keep the overall effect wholly contemporary.
by flickr.com
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This '70s-era living room almost looks like a contemporary photo spread with its Parisian-chic mix of wide stripes, luxe fabrics and lush prints. The restrained palette of black, white, red and metallics (as well as an unpretentious bouquet of daisies) is always fresh.
In this regal dining room, soft striped chairs add a cozy, almost casual touch to a very formal space.
Both stately and playful, this airy tented room draws graphic impact from black trim on billowy white panels, creating a stripe-like effect.
by flickr.com
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Spotted in Paris' Luxembourg Gardens, the horizontal stripes on this stark modernist building are an unexpected pop of color.
This truly sophisticated child's playroom incorporates several vertically-striped elements, from the carpet to the wallpaper and a cheeky, bohemian beaded curtain.
This detail of a wall in a Brooklyn bakery is one of the most creative uses of moulding I've seen, and a great way to add texture and architectural detail on a large expanse of wall.
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| For the minimalists among us, eye-popping wall treatments and mixing prints just might not work. This supersleek, glass-walled modern interior gets a subtle but impactful focal point in the form of a yellow-and-white chaise. |
by flickr.com
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Stripes aren't always hard-edged and modern. This handmade pot has both graphic impact and artisan charm.
A glossy black railing and dark carpet against a cool white backdrop provide texture and architectural interest that mimic the punch of a striped pattern.
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You demonstrated some great ideas here and I'm thinking now how to decorate my boys room with stripes... Thanks!
Here is another great one:
JR Nuerge
Eco-friendly+Eco-nomical=Eco-fabulous!
http://www.jrnuerge.com