What's Yellow and Black and Striped All Over?

Yellow and black is not really my favorite color combination- reminds me of a bruised banana! But, when it's yellow and black stripes, well, that's a different story. There's something very militaristic and rigid about the look that appeals to me (wonder what that says about me!). These are the kind of crisp rooms where you feel as though you should stand a little straighter and perhaps look over your shoulder for the commanding officer. You're not going to kick your shoes off and wallow all over the furniture in rooms like these. But that's not the point. Yellow and black striped rooms are supposed to make you stand up and take notice. And you can leave the wallowing to a different room.


Barbara d'Arcy designed this room back in the 1970s. I love the contrast of the black trim against the yellow and black striped walls.


Designer Joseph Braswell tented this powder room with yellow and black striped fabric. I think that when you have a small space, you should just go for it and decorate it with abandon.


Kelly Wearstler's take on yellow and black stripes definitely has that California, Hollywood Regency feel to it.

Image at top: This tented room is very Directoire.