I must have been a sailor in a previous life, because I'm more than a little obsessed with stripes! I love them in all colors and scales, everywhere from on the walls to on my clothing. But lately I especially adore striped rugs--whether big and bold or whisper thin, they're the perfect example of how versatile a little striation can be!
I'll even venture to say that in shades of black, brown, white and grey, stripes act as a neutral and gel with a variety of patterns and colors! Toss in some girly florals and a splash of pink for a glam eclectic sensibility, or make a striking Scandinavian statement with hits of juicy strawberry.
What a perfect foundation these stripes provide for iconic furniture like an Eames lounger and tulip side table! The size of this rug is smashing--it positively makes the room.
A cozy romantic seating arrangement gets a shot of modern charm. Without the stripes this space would be too sticky sweet for my tastes, but with them it's the perfect balance of girly and graphic.
A striped rug in the bathroom? Maybe if your significant other is better about toweling off in the shower than mine is! For those amongst us with well trained housemates, this clean yet cheerful touch looks brilliant on a tile floor.
Speaking of tile, hubba hubba! You'd think that black penny tile with white grout couldn't possibly look any better--and yet a striped rug in the same palette takes it to a whole other level!
Not content to socialize only with Western interiors, stripes also make excellent playmates for patterned silks and linens from the Far East. Here the floor is treated as a whole other living area--I would have a tough time deciding whether to sleep in the bed or curl up on that giant cushion!
Stripes anchor a clean-lined headboard, then contrast beautifully with fluffy white pillows and frilly grey shams. Doesn't this look like a bed the whole family could happily pile into?
My go-to striped rug? This lovely one from Ikea! Now you tell me: Striped rugs, yay or nay? UPDATE: Blair recently did a fab round-up of striped rugs too!
Image Credits: 1. Living Etc. 2. From the Right Bank to the Left Coast 3. Skona Hem 4. Domino 5. Unknown 6. Marie Claire Maison November 2009 7. Domino 8. House to Home 9. Domino
Striped rugs are wonderful. They make almost any room look great. I love the room with pink and the striped rug!
Posted by: Michelle | July 07, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Anne! This has been my obsession all year! After talking about it for months, I finally went and got the Ikea one. It's been moving around different parts of my house the last couple of months.
BTW, as one of the original participants in my One Picture Challenge, I'd love it if you'd participate in a re-match. :) I posted it today. (And it looks like it's mutual link love today!) xoxo, ALEK
Posted by: FROM THE RIGHT BANK | July 07, 2009 at 10:21 AM
I agree! Stripes are fabulous. I think I like them because it provides a graphic punch in a very tidy, visually organized way.
Posted by: Plush Palate | July 07, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Beautiful photos, Anne. I especially love the third room and can imagine spending alot of time in there!
Posted by: simply hue | July 07, 2009 at 10:43 AM
We have a red and white striped rug in our living room, and I love it! I was totally inspired by Amanda Peet's house tour on domino mag (oh how I miss domino!)... only problem is my little four-legged friend who has managed to really dirty up the white stripes. I think I need to flip it soon!
Posted by: Kristin @ Contented Me | July 07, 2009 at 10:49 AM
YAY! we must be the same person, because I have all these pictures in my files, too.
Posted by: Virginia | July 07, 2009 at 11:13 AM
I get dizzy easily so no stripes for me!
Posted by: Amy | July 07, 2009 at 11:16 AM
There's something so clean and modern about striped rugs. Classic, without being too preppy.
Posted by: Joanna | July 07, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Yes, I am still taken by Ikea's stripe-on-stipe.
Posted by: TERI REES WANG | July 07, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Love the striped rugs in all your pics Anne, xv.
Posted by: Vicki Archer | July 07, 2009 at 01:02 PM
I love that these spaces (especially the 2nd one withe the touches of pink and the antlers) are a great mix of girly and manly styles. Sometimes it seems like one or the other - these images have a real co-existence. What a happy couple must live here! :)
Posted by: Vivi | July 07, 2009 at 01:48 PM
meeee toooo!
not only in my home but almost all the tshirts I own have stripes!
Posted by: layersofmeaning | July 07, 2009 at 01:52 PM
i kind of adore stripes. i would have them everywhere if i could. hmmm now that i think about it, why can't i? note to self ... new house = lots and lots of stripes!
Posted by: cevd | July 07, 2009 at 02:12 PM
i can't get enough of this look either and i definitely need a striped rug for the house. now the only question is, which one...
Posted by: Down and Out Chic | July 07, 2009 at 05:06 PM
me too!
I actually had to stop buying clothing with stripes since all my clothing was stripy!!! but now all I can look at is striped rugs for my house. Love them!!
great post, full of inspiration.
Posted by: callie grayson | July 07, 2009 at 06:16 PM
yessssssss!! striped rugs are tops. in fact i just jizzed all over my computer after looking at these rooms.
Posted by: my favorite and my best | July 07, 2009 at 07:34 PM
Oh yes. Love every single picture, especially the one from Domino.
Posted by: Melanie | July 07, 2009 at 09:21 PM
Lots to love here, Anne! I can see our entry or bathroom with a black & white striped rug. Hmm. Yes.
Posted by: Shell Sherree | July 07, 2009 at 10:15 PM
I never would have imagines a striped rug would work with so many different kinds of decòr. Genius!
Posted by: Elisa | July 08, 2009 at 04:51 AM
I think I may actually be addicted to stripes! Is that even possible? Addiction are normally "cured" by a new addiction right? So whats next!!??
Posted by: charlotte elizabeth | July 08, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Oh, I love high contrast stripes. I actually posted some earlier this week and just love all the images you picked--especially love it in that bathroom!
Posted by: blair | July 08, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Yay, Yay! Especially these beauties.
I'm off to check out your kitchen.
xo
Brooke
Posted by: velvet and linen | July 08, 2009 at 05:10 PM
Thank you for the link Anne- it really is so funny that we didn't choose one room that was the same!:) I will add a link to your too.
Posted by: blair | July 09, 2009 at 07:38 AM
LOVE these! great round-up.
Posted by: joanna goddard | July 09, 2009 at 08:39 AM
Girl. I know you just misplaced these shots of Nate Berkus's place in your overflowing stripe folder. http://voughtsathome.blogspot.com/2009/01/update-on-ikea-rugs.html
Posted by: virginia @ where you hang your hat | July 10, 2009 at 12:10 PM