Monday, May 7, 2012

FOOLING THE EYE WITH STRIPES

   
 CHALLENGE
With smaller homes there are some challenges. Space planning, storage, and how to make it look open, and more spacious.

SOLUTION

Today I thought we would talk about one of the tricks of the trade.......

Making a narrow room
look wider:

To add width to a room horizontal stripes can do the trick!

Choose the wall that you see farthest away from you, upon entering the room. 


You can tell upon entering this dining room that the door wall is farthest away.

I would take the drapery panels clear to the corners to make the room look larger. 

By stopping the panels mid wall it only accentuates the small size, but the stripes were a great choice.



The stripes used in this very small dining area, not only add interest, but widen the area making it appear larger, and more substantial than it really is.


Source: bhg.com via Britney on Pinterest

Horizontal stripes used in the short little entry make it seem a bit longer visually.


By wrapping the stripes around the corner, it visually makes the corner disappear, therefore making the hall, or narrow space seem wider.

Using Striped Rugs



Source: decorpad.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest








 






Sarah Richardson chose to use a neutral stripe to add depth to this small space.



By using the stripe vertically in this small entry hall it appears longer and not so small and short.




An all white with bold black stripes are used to add width to this space. I love the sharp contrast here.

STRIPES ARE A TRUE WORKHORSE IN DESIGN


Whether you choose a tone-on-tone look for your stripes, or maybe something a little bolder, it can make your space look visually wider, taller or longer!!! 
 "Enjoy the Process" Of:

Fooling the eye with stripes!

 
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21 comments:

  1. Sissie's Shabby CottageMay 8, 2012 at 4:04 AM

    Hi Kathysue,
    I love using stripes but never seem to use them horizontally. I love the inspiration photos. Thanks for the decorating tips, as always they are wonderful.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  2. The enchanted homeMay 8, 2012 at 4:08 AM

    Interesting and good to know. You exhibited the point so well with so many beautiful examples.

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  3. crisangsteninteriors.comMay 8, 2012 at 4:41 AM

    I love stripes! In my first home, I very carefully painted vertical stripes in my living room to make the ceilings feel a little taller - the same color paint, just in two finishes, matte & satin. It was subtle but it worked!

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  4. Wendi @ Classic Chic HomeMay 8, 2012 at 6:24 AM

    Great ideas on how to use stripes to trick the eye, Kathysue. I especially like the front entrance with the more subtle grey and white horizontal stripes.
    Have a fantastic day,
    Wendi

    ReplyDelete
  5. Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid SassMay 8, 2012 at 6:52 AM

    Informative post, Kathysue. Amazing how vertical and horizontal stripes change things.
    Happy Tuesday.
    Teresa
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. FABBY'S LIVINGMay 8, 2012 at 10:06 AM

    Oh I love stripes. My daughter has stripes in the wall of her small visit bathroom and it gives it a larger, optical ilusion and it looks fabulous! I should do the same to mine, which is not big either. Great tips, all your images are wonderful.
    FABBY

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  7. debra @ 5th and stateMay 8, 2012 at 10:28 AM

    never ever would i have thought of this! but your explanation along with great images firmly cemented some ideas.
    now i am looking around for what to stripe as i live in a cottage of a house
    thanks dear kathysue!
    xo
    debra

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  8. VictoriaMay 8, 2012 at 10:43 AM

    Some great ideas that I never thought about before. Thanks for the ideas and the lovely examples.
    Best...Victoria

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  9. Shirley@Housepitality DesignsMay 8, 2012 at 10:52 AM

    Loved this post Kathysue...Maybe i need to consider these stripe in my teeny powder room!!

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  10. kim @ whitebarnbasicsMay 8, 2012 at 8:31 PM

    Thank you so much Kathysue! I always love and appreciate your wonderful tips/techniques! I always liked horizonal stripes, never knew why, though. You are so talented and i enjoy your blog so much!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home}May 9, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    great post Kathysue!Beautiful blog too!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Linda in AZ *May 9, 2012 at 2:48 PM

    *** FAB pics of something I SOOO LOVE, & have been wanting to DO (well okay, "HAVE" someone "DO"!!!), for aaaaages, Ks!!!

    Annnnd, what a "RED LETTER DAY" around OUR house today (well, for ME, anyway!... ACTUALLY, Jim DID take his partner's money on the golf course this a.m. so yes, I guess HE'S a happy camper too)...

    ANYHOOOO, FIRRRST: Lisa Newsom's "THE HOUSES of VERANDA" arrived (I am SOOO EXCITED... it looks BREATHTAKING just from an initial "gotta peek"/thumb thru! Can't wait to start enjoying it tonight!!!)...

    Thennnnn, when the mail came, the TORTOISE CUFF you showed a few days back was in it, and I MUST SAY, it is REEEALLY V*E*R*Y N*I*C*E~~~ cannot WAIT to enjoy it!!! (And boy! FAST DEL'Y, too!)...THANKS for sharing that in your blog~~~ knew the minute I saw it that I wanted it, but did NOT expect it to be sooooooo pretty (and am HAPPY it IS!)!!!

    Hope your day goes as wonderful as mine is going, girlfriend!!!

    Warmest and, as always, THANKS!!!

    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  13. Linda in AZ *May 9, 2012 at 2:50 PM

    *** P.S. The cuff I*S wide... sassy n' chic, and shows off one's tan NICELY!!! THANKS again, Linda ***

    ReplyDelete
  14. Susie @ Maddie G DesignsMay 9, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    Great post! I just did horizontal stripes (understated) in our family room and I think they are my favorite treatments in the home.

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  15. StephanieMay 9, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    Love horizontal stripes, especially on drapery panels...just not on my body! haha!

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  16. Linda @ Life and LindaMay 11, 2012 at 7:52 AM

    Great inspirations photos. I agree with you about taking the drapes to the corner. It would make the room look larger. Thanks for sharing.
    Happy Mother's day week-end.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Julie Taylor and Danni GreenwaltMay 11, 2012 at 3:17 PM

    Great lesson and Iove stripes. Happy mothers Day..

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  18. helen tilstonMay 11, 2012 at 5:55 PM

    Hi Kathysue

    A very intersting and informative post.
    Sarah Richardson is a wonderful desinger
    My best for a glorious weekend

    Helen

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  19. Mary Ann PickettMay 11, 2012 at 7:56 PM

    Great information about widening the space when used horizontally ( I knew that about tile on the diagonal). I love stripes.

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  20. UnknownMay 12, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    I am a huge fan of the power of stripes in spaces. They can really lighten a space as well. Thanks for showing my striped drapes in the first one! :)

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  21. BabsMay 14, 2012 at 4:09 PM

    Great inspirational photos and suggestions. Thanks for the tips.
    Babs

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear from you, Kathysue