ABC Wednesday Z is for Zebra Rug

When I was young and fresh out of college, I had a design client who was all about the safari prints. A zebra chair, giraffe print drapes, and a leopard rug. I call her a client, and yet, she was the designer. She simply told me what she wanted, and I went and found it for her. She would purchase anything she found that was a "skin" pattern of some kind.
Lady whose name I forgot- this post is for you. I just wanted to let you know, as I should have 10 years ago- that your place really does not look good. WAY over-the-top is not glamorous, it is just "over-the-top".

This photo is from my Decor magazine (summer 2008), San Francisco designer: Kendall Wilkinson. She does a wonderful job using this Zebra rug- and I am going to tell you why it works so well.

1. There is no "theme" going on here. I am not a fan of "theme" rooms. Maybe in a child's bedroom- sure-but nowhere else. A "theme: is not the same as a "style". (Styles should be consistent with architecture.) A room can have a "Global Ethnic" style to it- but that is different than a "safari" theme. A room can have a "Tuscan" style to it, which is different than a "wine" theme. Themes are for theme parks.
2. Notice that she didn't try to "match" the rug to anything. In fact, I don't even see another trace of black or white in the room. A piece like this is the same as wearing leopard shoes. You don't only wear them with brown and black dresses- you wear them with any color. They match nothing, and so they match everything.
3. There is no competition of pattern. With the use of pattern, as a general rule, a room can have one large, one medium, and one small. If it is a very large room, you can double up with two of each. This is a general rule, one that most good designers don't consciously consider, and yet naturally just do. If, in this room, there was another loud large bold pattern, safari or not, it would tend to "compete" with the zebra rug. Notice how she has the large rug pattern, some medium patterns in the pillows, and a small subtle tone on tone in her sisal carpet. Large, medium, small. They all add interest, and yet do not compete. (Stop- take a look at your living room- analyze your use of pattern. If something is not quite right, and this is out of check- that is a good place to start. ) Remember the use of way too many small prints with the "French Provincial" craze in the 90's. Balance.
   

Kendall says, "Every room should have a moment, a dramatic chair in the corner, or a really striking piece of photography- something that grabs your attention right away." Go- carefullly craft your "moment" in your favorite room.

Happy ABC Wednesday- for more "Z" pictures- go to Mrs. Nesbitt :)