Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Pattern Inspiration - Zebra Print

Cottage Living via myhomeideas.com
Designer Heather Chadduck Photo Roger Davies

This is the first in a series of Pattern Inspiration posts. You know how my series work - they are randomly interrupted with other posts and a post in the series may show up months later, but... a series nonetheless. Zebra print is first on my list and one that I think some people may be a little afraid of (or maybe they just plain don't like it, which is fine too!).

There may also be a perception by some that you need a specific style of room to use a zebra print. As you'll probably notice in today's post, that's not the case. For example, the two rooms below are different styles, but a zebra print ottoman looks equally at home in both.

House Beautiful Interior design David DeMattei & Patrick Wade/Photo Jose Picayo

Country Living Photo Aimee Herring

I view zebra print as more of a statement print - if overused it loses it's punch (my opinion). My personal preference would be to use it only once in a room. There are exceptions such as matching accent pillows, etc., and the Pottery Barn room below is a good example of an exception that works for me. (I really like the way they layered the artwork, don't you?)

Napoleon Upholstered Chair at Pottery Barn

I love this chair in Janell's (Isabella & Max Rooms) family room. As you can see the chair looks great on it's own, but the small zebra accent pillow adds just a touch of extra panache.

A zebra print throw in the this great bedroom design in the HGTV 2009 Green Home


We've seen this dining room in this post, but I really like the hint of the zebra rug in the next room captured in this alternate view by photographer Jeremy Samuelson.

Cottage Living/myhomeideas.com via House of Turquoise

Even though much of the zebra print you see is brown or black, it doesn't have to be. This pretty bedroom is one of Phoebe Howard's latest makeovers. Notice the grey zebra print window treatments. Click HERE to see the before and the rest of the room.


Designer Betsy Burnham also used a grey zebra print for the window treatment in this home office.

House Beautiful Photo Grey Crawford

There are a lot of zebra items available out there! The links below will take you to the zebra print page or item for each of these sources (or at least they would at the time of this post).

Zebra Print Bench - smarter.com
West Elm
ZGallerie
Cost Plus World Market
Horchow
Target
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn Teens
Pier 1 Imports
Overstock.com
FLOR Carpet Tiles

How do you feel about zebra print? Is it "you"?