Forget the Leopard Print Trend it’s all about the Zebra now

Now I don’t know about you but I think this leopard print thing is out of hand. I went to a dinner a couple of weeks ago and out of the first five people I met I was the only one NOT wearing any. It’s all over coats and boots, dresses and skirts. There’s not a shop window where you don’t see it and while it isn’t yet on every cushion and throw in the land, it’s a fair bet that by next year it might be.

Even those diehard fans who have loved it for years are secretly admitting to being a little concerned by its ubiquity. After all – do they keep wearing it when everyone else has stopped because they have loved it for years, or do they risk everyone thinking – hmm that’s a bit last year when it stops? Although, if it’s anything like copper which flared up like a November 5th rocket and stayed airbourne for about five years, there’s no need to panic about that quite yet.

I, however, have never worn or owned anything leopard and clearly now is not the time to start. I do, however,  have a wonderful pair of zebra mules which I bought three years ago and still love. Black and white (or charcoal and ivory) has always been my default colour scheme.

And, or course, a few weeks ago I visited the home and studio of the Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto who designed his zebra print in 1936 – see the famous tank chair in his home above. So it’s as much of a design classic as the leopard. Arguably more so when it comes to interiors. So here, in honour of classic black and white and to celebrate not following the herd, let’s have a look at all things zebra.

Or, since I love a collective noun shall I say that we should now be following the dazzle of zebras and not the leap of leopards. And I’m tempted to start a trend for all things hippo since their collective term is a bloat.

Now while it’s true that where the leopards are currently leading the zebras may follow, we’re not there yet. Yes, there’s plenty of it on the high street at the moment but one of the reasons I like it is that it’s easier to blend with your existing decor than brown and yellow spots. A sweep of black and white stripes will go with any pattern and any colour scheme – it’s especially good with a dramatic floral print.

In fact, if you’ve ever wondered about mixing and clashing patterns then adding a black and white stripe, or geometric pattern, will always work. It’s good with the afore-mentioned florals as well as vintage Persian rugs. Throw on an extra cushion with whatever you already have and you won’t go wrong.

And, of course, it’s wonderfully dramatic on its own. If you have always liked a black and white stripe then don’t be afraid to invest in the zebra for rugs and carpets. It’s a classic with a twist and you are unlikely to go off it. It’s actually a great choice for a stair runner as the pattern means any dirt and marks don’t show up as much and also, as you tend to be in perpetual motion on the stairs, you aren’t sitting staring at it for hours on end which you might be if it was in the sitting room.

That applies to any form of bold decor. If you are nervous about getting bored or going off it, then try it in a room that you don’t spend too long in – the hall or dining room, or somewhere like the stairs where you just pass along. This tactic can also work in the bedroom as you have your eyes closed for a large proportion of the time you are in there.

Basically, be careful of the sitting room as that is a place where the decor might be a little confrontational since you tend to be in there for longer periods of time.

But then again a small touch – such as this lampshade below – might be just a enough to raise a smile and not too much to make you want to redecorate two years later.

If in doubt start small or in a small room. That’s why downstairs loos are great places to experiment although not with pendant lights. Think wallpaper in there. And, since it’s usually, the smallest room, you won’t need very much of it either so it won’t cost a fortune.

So forget the leopard. Here in the Mad House we’re all about the Zebras. What do you think? Or are you starting a new animal trend – an ambush of tigers anyone? A parliament of owls or a bask of crocodiles. I’ll stop now. I could go on…