There’s something instantly cheery about a stripe of any colour, and thanks to its nautical references, a stripe feels particularly pleasing in summer. Interiors have known this for centuries: blue-and-white mattress ticking crossed from utilitarian bedding into French and English country rooms in the 1800s, while the Victorians ran vertical stripes up their walls to lift a low ceiling. Stripes turned graphic during the Art Deco years, interwar cabana stripes carried the seaside indoors, and the 1970s sent it wavy and psychedelic.
Through it all, the stripe has remained design shorthand for ease, holidays and light – all things you want in your home come summer. Digital creator Lucy Williams has a famous love of a stripe in her west London home, using them as accessories on chairs, rugs and cushions, and has now turned her hand to a collaboration with the bespoke striped fabric studio, Colours of Arley to create a collection of repurposed vintage pieces and a range of gloriously striped cushion. But it’s not the only way to add a stripe to your home, as our selection from egg cups to glasses, butter dishes to jewellery boxes shows...
1. Colourful cushions
Striped cushion, £110 from Colours of Arley
A cheery striped cushion will jazz up any chair, such as this one from the new collection by Lucy Williams and the bespoke fabric studio Colours of Arley.
2. Unusual jewellery boxes
Brown and white marble jewellery box, £145 at Henry Holland Studio
Stripes don’t have to be straight. Add a stripey wave to your dressing table with this handmade clay jewellery box by the ceramicist Henry Holland Studio in collaboration with the London-based jeweller Otiumberg.
3. Bold bedding
Pembroke stripe linen blend pillowcases, from £36 for a pair at Piglet in Bed
Ditch the white sheets in favour of something a bit more exciting, like this rhubarb-coloured striped linen bedding set.
4. Patterned mugs
Sgraffito stripe mug, £22 at NPG Shop
Upgrade your morning cup of tea with this mug which has been hand painted in Portugal in a sgraffito design featuring moss green stripes.
5. Stylish dishes
Butter dish, £52 from Second Helping
If you like to keep your butter out, you need a stylish vestibule: which is where a butter dish like this jolly, striped number steps in.
6. Striped china
Small teapot, £183 at Feldspar
It’s always time for tea – especially when you’re serving it from the delicately striped, bone china Feldspar studio tea pot decorated with hand-painted stripes that are subtle enough to fit into any kitchen scheme.
7. Joyful egg cups
Striped egg cup, £14 at Villa Bologna Pottery
For a dose of joy, serve your eggs in this cheerfully striped egg cup – just add heavily buttered soldiers.
8. Pretty frames
Willa photo frame, £54 from Rebecca Udall
It’s always a good idea to get photos out of your phone and into your house: this pretty striped photo frame will make the perfect hallway display.
9. Decorative accessories
Double oven gloves, £27 from Aga Cookshop
Oven gloves are one of those kitchen items that could do with a regular upgrade: these stripey numbers look fresh and clean – and impossible to lose.
10. Fun glassware
Green striped tumblers, £35 (for 4) at The Conran Shop
These stylish little glass tumblers look a lot more expensive than they are – and are the perfect short size for serving up a refreshing cocktail.
11. Pleated lampshades
Blue stripe pleated lampshade, £78 at Ceau Store
This lampshade ticks a couple of trends – both striped and pleated – and brings texture and interest to a room. They’re very versatile: you can attach them to pendants, table lamps or wall lights, so move it around when you want to change things up.
12. Striped shower curtains
Rhode stripe shower curtain, £65 at Toast
An easy refresh for your shower is a new shower curtain: instead of a boring basic one, opt for a stripey number like this which will instantly change the room.
13. Fresh floors
Navy rug, from £99 at Ruggable
A new rug can bring so much new energy to a room. This stripey rug has a bold and fresh energy, and is such a classic stripe and colour that it would work almost anywhere.
14. Hand-painted platters
Striped platter, £130 at Bettina
Bring your your best stripey platter to serve snacks at home, such as this round dish, hand made in Umbria, with bold, hand-painted Tuscan stripes.
15. Vibrant tablecloths
Tablecloth, £220 at Late Afternoon
Throw on a beautiful tablecloth – like this vibrant pink striped one – and you’ll feel ready to host any occasion, instantly.