Eclectic Dining Room by Silver Spring Interior Designer Designing Solutions
Décor, as we’ve seen in our previous instalments of this series, often takes on fashionable patterns for fresh and original ideas. Have you ever seen pinstripes used in home décor? It has a subtly masculine effect that looks clean and fresh.
Traditional uses of pinstripe
The pinstripe pattern has existed at least since the late 19th century; the Chicago Cubs baseball club has used pinstripes in its uniform since 1907. Pinstripes are a simple pattern comprised of thin, usually white stripes on a dark fabric, such as grey, black or navy. White on beige or taupe can also be used, mostly with women’s fashion.
Even though pinstripes traditionally appear at equal intervals, new designs have freshened it up with random intervals, more colors and a generally more creative approach to the pattern.
Pinstripes in the bedroom
A bedroom featuring pinstripes keeps things discrete and neutral. You can use the pinstripe on fabrics, such as bed linens and drapes, or on the walls with a wallpaper. Keep it to one major feature; too many pinstripes and you might feel like you’re walking into a suit.
On a bed, pinstripes are discreet and masculine. You often see this pattern on the bed linens of young men in college dorms or in their first bachelor apartment. The monochromatic tone is perfect for a guy who doesn’t want to bother with much décor, as the white pinstripes will fit with most walls painted in pale colors. Try it with horizontal rather than vertical stripes for a touch of originality.
On drapes, pinstripes have a little more movement and softness, since the fabric is never totally straight. Multicolored pinstripes work particularly well with drapes, as sunlight will have an interesting effect on them.
If you’re not afraid of statements, install a pinstripe wallpaper. I don’t suggest you use too dark a color; a light grey or medium blue will work perfectly. The white stripes will give a sense of height to the room.
Pinstripes in the living room
The other room of the house where pinstripes look great is in the living room. Pinstripes are especially convenient when you want a minimal décor without too many patterns and colors. It suits neutral and masculine designs; it also works well for a “man cave” or a library.
The best way to use pinstripes in the living room is on the sofa. Many sofas come in a pinstripe design; the pattern has gained in popularity in the last few years. Most often seen in grey or blue with white stripes, you can also find pinstriped sofas in brighter colors.
If you’d rather use pinstripes as an accent, cushions and throws work well. Along with complementary sofas in neutral colors, pinstripe accents add just a touch of respectability without overwhelming.
Make a bolder choice by using a pinstripe pattern on your carpet or rug in the living room. It provides an interesting effect by adding some movement and originality to an otherwise plain floor.
Pinstriped accessories
One easy way I like to use to try new patterns is to start with accessories. They are easily removable and interchangeable. If you’re not sure about how to use pinstripes in your home décor, try with a few accessories first.
You can add discrete stripes to your dining table by using pinstripe print dishes. They are classic yet casual. You can also make your own pinstripe placemats by using any pinstripe fabric.
One original spot for pinstripes is on lampshades. It’s unexpected yet classy. Pair them with dark wood or metal lamps, and you get a nice masculine effect.
Original pinstripes
Don’t let the classic vertical white stripe control your design. A pinstripe is basically any thin, pale-colored stripe on a darker background. Play with multiple colors by pairing complementary stripe hues on a neutral background. Use different widths to add movement and interest.
If the whole vertical-only thing bores you, you can show off the stripes horizontally or, if you’re feeling bold, on the bias. They don’t need to be in a single direction either: make them criss-cross at different angles for a modern look.
I like pinstripes because they are discrete and minimalist. They are easy to match with any kind of décor, either as focus or as accent. They provide a small touch of visual interest for those who don’t necessarily want to spend a lot of time using complex colors and patterns.
How do you see pinstripes in your décor? Do you use it right now? Share your ideas with us!
