Continuing our series focusing on colour and pattern, we explore how trends and historical influences have shaped British interiors, this time turning the spotlight to timeless stripes
FEATURE EMMA J PAGE
A design that consists of long bands against a contrasting plain background, stripes are by nature eye-catching, whether they run horizontally or vertically. But although they are considered an enduring classic, both sartorially and in the interiors world, stripes have a surprisingly chequered history. In the Middle Ages, they garnered attention for controversial reasons.
Widely perceived as transgressive, striped clothing was ‘relegated to those on the margins or outside the social order’ according to Michel Pastoureau, author of The Devil’s Cloth: A History of Stripes and Striped Fabric. This negative symbolism was slowly revised over subsequent centuries – striped walls, drapes and furniture became de rigueur around the time of the American Revolution; Napoleon Bonaparte reportedly added a striped tented room to Château de Malmaison to receive guests, and when Queen Victoria dressed her son in a sailor suit for a yacht event, a nautical association with stripes was cemented. In the hands of Coco Chanel, this distinctive design eventually became a fashion staple. While vertical stripes were once thought of as conservative and horizontal considered rebellious, stripes of all kinds are now appreciated as a way to add interest to an interiors scheme.
Casual yet chic
Whether classic pinstripes and ticking, or bold, wide cabana-style bands, stripes can be both traditional or directional, depending on how they are incorporated. Classic, slim stripes are an ideal backbone to a decorating scheme, an anchor that can provide a contemporising foil to florals, a smart note to an occasional chair or impact as a window treatment. “Simple ticking or a broad stripe feel essential when creating English style at home,” reflects wallpaper designer and artist, Sophie Harpley. “They remind me of the beach, deckchairs and parasols, as well as reassuringly British habits like striped pyjamas or toothpaste. There’s an inherent nostalgia in stripes.”
This is a design that carries much versatility. In their simplest form, stripes can act as a unifying neutral; given the spotlight, they add dynamism. “I love using them as a counterpoint to florals,” says interior designer Laura Stephens. “I often pair a subtle striped blind with a boldly patterned wallpaper. It’s a great way to break up a busy design and stop things looking overly chintzy.”
Ticking is a good way to introduce the look
