{stripe me sideways}

If you haven't noticed yet, I am a big fan of stripes. They are handsome, timeless and add a dramatic punch to an interior. Since I don't often gravitate towards florals, I often turn to stripes to add depth, interest and texture to a room. Lately, I have been taking note of rooms with horizontal stripes. Vertical stripes are much more traditional and tailored. Rooms with vertical stripes tend to look elongated and tall, so for spaces with lower ceilings, they are best. Horizontal stripes, on the other hand, gives a space a more relaxed and casual air and are often associated with more contemporary or transitional interiors. Horizontal stripes make a space feel open and wide so they are great to use in narrow hallways and small rooms.

One can see how small narrow spaces benefit greatly from the use of horizontal stripes, in the picture of the butler's pantry above and the entry hall below. In the top image, Paula Caravelli uses a bold chocolate and off white stripe to tie her butler's pantry into her contemporary, dark brown dining room.

This hall would feel claustrophobic without the horizontally striped Osborne and Little wallpaper. I love the juxtaposition of the more contemporary wallpaper with the traditional antique furniture.

Sara Gilbane opens up this small entry way with a single horizontal stripe using a custom embroidered Holland and Sherry Fabric. It's simply gorgeous!

The bold striped walls take center stage in this contemporary beach house living room designed by Mary McDonald.

Miled Redd uses horizontal stripes in this more subtle seaside living room. The stripes serve to widen the small sitting are and bring a contemporary, nautical feel to the space.

I came across this fabulous water-stained blue striped Larsen wallpaper on a recent trip to ADAC. It would make a gorgeous, modern statement in a small powder room.

This cozy but quite formal sitting area can be found in the famous London antique store, Guinevere. I included this image to show that horizontal stripes can be used beautifully in a traditional manner as well.

This entryway, by Amanda Nisbet, is simple yet stunning. Without the horizontal stripes the space would fall flat.

So tell me are you a fan? Is there a nook in your home that is calling to be striped sideways?

{images: 1- via elle decor photographed by simon upton; 2- via house to home uk; 3- via sara gilbane interiors; 4- via hygge nook; 5- via alicia b.designs 6- author's own; 7- via all the best; 8- via la dolce vita}