Over time I will be covering a number of trends and patterns here on the blog but today I have on of my favourite patterns:

STRIPES

You will see me wearing a breton top more often than I'd like to admit (plus a nice red lipstick just to go all french), with my favourite ones usually being from COS. I even wore stripes when HOMESTYLE magazine came over to shoot my home this year. It's easy to wear with jeans, skirts, skinnies, wide leg and most of the times I don't even need to have a good hair day.

Just add red lipstick people.

In photography, black and white stripes have always appealed to me because of the geometric aspect and the trick they usually play on the eye. The result is always chic and some times dramatic or even extravagant.

In interiors and homewares, stripes have always been there, they never really left, with most of the big textiles and print houses including stripey wallpaper and fabrics in every collection, every season. So one way or another you will see them on the walls and on furniture - and let's not even mention bedding and crockery!

Striped fabrics from the John Lewis collection available here. These are really well priced and will make excellent cushions and curtains. Use with a plain fabric in the back to save more!

Coastal Classic Stripes Deckchair £55, Designers Guild Franchini Stripe Mitt £12, Salcombe Stripe Bathroom Bin, Nautical Blue £35, House of Hackney Empire Plate, Dia.27.5cm, Midnight Stripe £35, Portico Stripes Whoop Card £2.75, Ampersand Cushion now £4.50, all John Lewis

Black and white vase, stripe crochet cotton £19.50, Hand Painted Plant Pot - Orange Stripe £10, Monochrome Striped Mug, Black & White, Faux Gold Glitter Border £10, all from ETSY UK

For similar wallpaper try the Couture Stripe The Courtesan Collection by Opus Muras (left), £102 per role; or the dark grey Albany stripe wallpaper at only £28 per role (right) both from Wallpaperdirect. Made.com have the super affordable HOXTON dining/ lounge chairs in pistachio and graphite grey that would be a great alternative to the above. Great contrast I think! And as for wall lights? Take it to the next level with the Michael Anastassiades for FLOS IC Lights 200 in Brushed Brass £230. Job done!

I think stripes can be fun and can fit into any room with easy but you have to be prepared to make a bold statement. My best tip is to go for the fun factor and add a semi wide stripey wallpaper with some equally strong accent colours (emerald green my favourite with an intense fuchsia coming second best). You can use this to offset antique furniture or - even better - add a few pieces you have upcycled with chalk paint

(yes, I dod say that).

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