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Posts Tagged ‘stripes’

Using spots and stripes in your home may not be something you automatically gel with, I certainly didn’t; in fact spots and stripes had to work pretty hard to win me over. When it comes to spots and stripes it’s all about finding the right balance; for spots I think it’s about avoiding that twee and cutesy look, and for stripes finding a style that isn’t too traditional or beachy. I’ve found a few ideas of stylish spots and stripes that can be a great way to give a home a touch of the fun, patterned effect.

‘Fitzroy Black Stair Runner’ from Roger Oates

For me, when I think of stripes in the home I immediately think of Roger Oates and their fabulous stair runners, which in fact was major part in changing my opinion on stripes. The Fitzroy runner is smart, sleek and contemporary. The stripes bounce of the stark white stairs and walls, giving it a really punchy effect, it’s a great feature to see when you first walk in the door, showing off a relaxed but sophisticated sense of style.

If you don’t want to use stripes in such a dramatic way, this mirror from Barker & Stonehouse is an interesting twist on the pattern. With strips of mirror formed into one large piece, it gives a subtly to the motif, whilst still creating an intriguing design.

‘Cattelan Striped Mirror’ from Barker & Stonehouse

I love this spotted pattern by Marimekko, the dots squished together on rows is a simple design, but really gives the tableware a fun character, the jug is a great one-off piece in the collection to buy if you want a stand out item on your table.

‘Oiva Siirolapuutarha Pitcher’ from Marimekko

These Louis Poulsen pendants bring just the right amount of a coastal vibe, with a shell-like shape and beach tones, but with a sophisticated and contemporary design. They’ll hang elegantly alone or in a group, the three colourways could be mixed over a kitchen island unit for an eye-catching feature.

‘Cirque Pendant Lights’ from Louis Poulsen

Although polka dots in interiors aren’t something I would necessarily put in an interior, I’m a little smitten with the Polka Square wallpaper design by Farrow & Ball. It’s a delicate style that would look really sweet in a kid’s room or hallway.

‘Polka Square Wallpaper’ from Farrow & Ball

Sticking to wallpapers, this wavy stripe by Elitis, is a modern and fun way to make a strong statement in a room. Its design can hold its own style wise, but would work as a backdrop for your furniture as well.

‘Parure Memoires Wallpaper’ from Elitis

Margo Selby always has some beautiful designs, with just the right amount of colour, texture and retro design to give you a fresh look. I love this throw with its geometric circular pattern, it would make a great accent of colour in a living room.

‘Galeano Throw with Textured Velvet’ from Margo Selby

For a smaller addition of a few spots to your home, this little ceramic salt pot has an abstract spotted design that’ll look great on your dining room table, or next to your hob among the spices.

‘Selborne Pottery Blue Spot Salt Pot’ from Trouva

To keep stripes to more of a traditional form, William Yeoward has some classic designs. This stool has beautiful pink and cream stripes, and the curved wooden legs and the bouncing seat pads gives it an extra spark of personality.

‘Triple Elka Stool’ from William Yeoward

Finally, I had to pop in this sweet cushion from Houseology, the colourful stripes have begun to run like water colours, giving the cushion a softer look. A quick and easy way to add stripes while giving a chair a splash of colour.

‘Bluebell Gray Lomond Cushion’ from Houseology

A spot and a stripe here and there in your home is a great way to add character and break up a space, while offering an alternative pattern and design to a room to keep it looking fresh. Whether you want to stick to traditional styles, or test out some more contemporary looks, there are all sorts of ways to have a little fun with a few spots and stripes.

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Bennison is one of my favourite fabric companies and one that I immediately turn to when we have a requirement for some classic English style.  They hand print their designs onto lovely thick linen or finest silk and you can see samples of  the fabrics at their gorgeous London showroom in Holbein place. Bennison have very kindly forwarded me a selection of their lifestyle photography which I think really do their fabrics justice – enjoy!

Images courtesy of Bennison Fabrics

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Summer holidays are on the horizon and the seaside is calling; get a flavour of the sea with this guide to nautical style for your home. From fresh and breezy stripes to rustic  linens, the key to this look is keeping it simple and making the most of the natural light.

fired earth nautical

Nautical living dictates a no-nonsense approach to interior decorating; hardwearing materials and sturdy fabrics are essential to withstand sandy feet and dripping seawater.  This rustic kitchen has practical seaside living sorted; the whitewashed walls and floor are sturdy and simple and the cheery blue shelf and traditional AGA add character and colour.

beachcomber fabric gp and j baker

If you’re lucky enough to live right on the river or by the sea you will know that the light reflecting off the water can lend a magical quality to the light in your home. Emphasise this (or create an illusion of it) by keeping your backdrop bright with lots of white to capture every little bit of sunshine that filters in. You can then pick cheerful textiles to complement this simple backdrop like these beachcomber fabrics by GP& J Baker.

ian mankin strpe

A simple blue striped fabric is a nautical staple and no one does stripes better than Ian Mankin. These fabrics from his denim range are hardwearing, practical and fun; use them to upholster chairs, hang as curtains or create sturdy cushions, and they will instantly shout ‘seaside’.

william yeoward for designers guild

But you don’t have to stick to blue and white for a nautical look. The soft dusty red and yellow stripes of this linen by William Yeoward for Designers Guild have a soft, vintage feel which evokes the weatherbeaten charm of the traditionanal British seaside town and captures the essence of traditional seaside life in a more subtle way.

holkham the white company

And finally, nothing says summer more than dining alfresco. The simplest meals are sometimes the best and a rustic runner in a hardwearing ticking instantly dresses up an outdoor table. Just add freshly baked bread, locally caught fish and a glass of something cool for the perfect seaside lunch.

Image credits: Fired Earth, GP & J Baker, Ian Mankin, Designers Guild, The White Company

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yeoward

How great are these striped fabrics by William Yeoward for Designers Guild. I love nautical stripes all year round but I think they are especially suited to the breezy months of summer and one look at these lovely images has me reaching for my straw hat and deck shoes and dreaming of lazy summer days by the sea.

The Polperro collection is inspired by Cornwall and the fabrics perfectly reflect the fresh, relaxed atmosphere of the English Coast. Describing his new collection Yeoward explains “There is something about the English coastline that is so unique. There is a quality of light and a sense of freedom for me that is found here. I love the colours of the landscape, the boats, the sailcloths, rolling pastures and the ocean spray: these to me are the essence of my being.”

Yeoward

I love the variations on the classic blue and white colour palette. The inclusion of a jaunty red stripe instantly adds cheerful seaside twist to a dark blue and white. And the soft dusty red and yellow stripes above have the perfect amount of faded glamour to evoke relaxed country-style coastal living.

Image Credits: Designers Guild

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