Zebra on the Floor

Zebra print carpets are so enduring, every shape, size and variation is available, from skin-shape throw rugs to broadloom.

So if I’m going for pattern and high contrast on the floor, zebra print carpets are an  obvious solution. First, they are black and white, which means they go with almost everything. Zebra is a bold carpet pattern but it’s less slinky than leopard or tiger. And while any animal print is a traditional pick, I find the zebra pattern can look quite modern when it’s pushed by other elements. Sublimely abstract in a mid-20th century Persian kilim [top] the zebra rug in a Sagaponack summer house hardly looks its age. More linear than other variations, these narrow stripes enliven a fairly quiet space. In addition to the carpet, other mid-century furnishings includes a 1970 Milo Baughman game table and cabinet (from East Hampton’s R.E. Steele Antiques). Chairs are Laverne International from Karkula. Paint is Benjamin Moore’s Super White (that’s the brightest white available which I used on all my ceilings).

In many rooms, this zebra print carpet, from AM Collections, would be the immediate attention-grabber and a dominant element. Here, it’s merely a bold partner to the powerful blue walls custom paint guru Donald Kaufman helped create as a salute to the collection of antique Delft vases on display. Both the house and the vases once belonged to the late cosmetics guru Estée Lauder. Now home to her granddaughter Aerin, the idea was to celebrate Grandma’s heirloom blue-and-white, while giving the house the update needed for a young family.  With such traditional furniture as well, Oriental carpets would look too granny whereas zebra has youthful flair.

I’m not fond of actual or mock “skin” rugs because they never lay flat – plus they’re small. So while there’s a cow skin in the living room of designer Irene Langlois’ Ottawa Georgian-style home, (I can feel myself tripping over edges that stick up) the zebra in the hallway shows how a large scale carpet with a bold zebra pattern can helps enlarge a space.

A pale gray, tufted headboard is so boudoir and the neutral color scheme to match seems almost a bit snoozy. In contrast, the  wall-to-wall zebra broadloom looks racy, and thankfully so!
Hot pink, with chartreuse accents. So girly. And something of a statement for a home office. Hmm. In this room, I’d have been looking for more green but, instead, the zebra-print carpet was used to tie into white cabinets and the black stone counter. It’s a twist and a good one.

Zebra print rug in a bathroom? Oh yes. Look closely and it’s clear that the rug is covering an old floor. But this one’s big enough and eclectic enough to give the bath some character with black and white small-scale print draperies showing their support. What’s wonderful, too is the huge  elephant’s ear plant which pushes the bath  towards an ‘Out of Africa’ look.

Why a zebra carpet stair runner would have edges bound in light green hue isn’t exactly clear (at least not to me) but here it is in a suburban New York home and it looks wonderful. Perhaps it’s a touch of whimsy on the part of Designer Gideon Mendelson, or a way to pep up the grayscale theme. No matter. The Patterson, Flynn & Martin zebra carpet, with  old-fashioned brass stair-rods, offers a serious, stately home feel.

(Source: AD, elledecor, tiffanyeastmaninteriors, hgtvca, roomtoinspire, HB, mydesigndump)

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