10 Fearless Ways With Zebra
Here's how to use this exotic animal print without scaring the horses
As one designer says below, people seem to love or hate wild zebra print; there is no in between. Perhaps it brings up a fear of making your house look like Elvis's Jungle Room in Graceland. Maybe an aversion to animal prints comes from flashbacks to their misuse in unfortunate fashion choices on The New Jersey Shore. Whatever it is, I'm hoping I can assuage any fears of using zebra patterns around the house by showing you 10 ways to do it with style. Let's take a look:
1. On the wall. This zebra image is the focal point of this sophisticated living room.
2. To bring a print to the bedroom. Zebra is an unexpected and successful choice for an upholstered headboard ...
... and its print can pop on a bedscape, especially when the pattern is rendered in red and tan.
Here the zebra on the bedroom bench is the only pattern in the room, and it's the only one that's needed.
One should always feel glamorous when putting on one's face, or when brushing one's hair 100 times before bed, a la Marcia Brady. Thus, a zebra-upholstered stool is an appropriate choice.
3. To spice up the bathroom. The zebra rug stars in this muted master bath.
Likewise, a sassy zebra-covered stool adds pizzazz to this elegant bathroom.
4. To add British Colonial collected flair. Zebra fits right in with items that hint at world travels.
More British Colonial touches abound in this casual beach house. "People either love the zebra rug in here or hate it," declares the decorator Kelly Motschenbacher. "There is no in-between!"
This room also has a collected look, and thanks to the zebra throw, it appears as though the items have been collected from around the world.
5. In the nursery. A subdued gray zebra-patterned rug works well in this yellow-and-gray nursery palette.
Here the same rug works well with serene blues, and even a busy geometric David Hicks wallpaper.
Don't be afraid to go more literal in the nursery. Why let pandas and penguins get all the attention?
6. To keep from being typically coastal. Huh? Allow me to explain. In this Nantucket Inn, interior designer Rachel Reider strayed from the expected coastal palette and used textures (glass, coral, stone, seagrass) and vintage art to bring in a beachy feel. Thus, she had the unique opportunity to add a long zebra bench to a beachy Inn.
7. To add drama to the stairs. This move just screams Old Hollywood glamor. Can't you imagine Zsa Zsa Gabor descending this staircase in feathery kitten-heel slippers?
9. To show off your mad mixing skillz: Bright yellow chinoiserie panels, zebra covered stools and some sort of eland*? No problem!
*I don't know an eland from an ibex. I just thought this looked more exotic than a deer and I have no idea what it is. If you do, please educate me in the Comments section.
*I don't know an eland from an ibex. I just thought this looked more exotic than a deer and I have no idea what it is. If you do, please educate me in the Comments section.
More mixing abounds: jewel tones, capiz shells, leather drum stools, nailheads, art that looks like album covers, a groovy needlepointed pillow. Yup, zebra can go with that too. This takes lots of practice, or a happy accident.
10. To update a traditional piece: One of the easiest ways to cruise from traditional to transitional style is to rethink your upholstery. New finishes and fabrics can help you make the leap as your personal style evolves. Zebra is a great choice.
Bonus round! To...ahem...er...um...I'm stumped, but how could I leave this shot out of a zebra ideabook? Would you like to try and caption this one for me? If so, please do in the Comments section!
More:
The Many Moods of Leopard
Animal-Inspired Rugs Call the Wild Indoors
Black and White Rooms
More:
The Many Moods of Leopard
Animal-Inspired Rugs Call the Wild Indoors
Black and White Rooms