Bright new stars of stripes

Black-AND-WHITE cotton mattress ticking and gray flannel pinstripe is set to be the next big trend in upholstery. Vertically striped window and wall coverings, which add height to a room, will always feel right at home. But the start of backyard and beach season, not to mention the prospect of rainbow-flag-waving gay pride days, calls for stripes of a different color.

These wild new patterns, in sunset and seascape shades, emerged a few seasons ago when British clothing designer Paul Smith transferred his signature shirt and tie stripes onto household goods. Now woven into throw rugs and napkins, printed on linens and glazed onto ceramics, these eye-candy stripes get their appeal from unexpected color combinations and variegated widths. Adding instant and inexpensive vibrancy to tired tabletops, bland bedrooms and faded floors, they are a sure cure for June gloom.