It's a jungle out there: tablesetting takes a walk on the wide side

But if you're brave and let zebras stalk your table, you'll be echoing the hottest trend for
the season. The zebra is now being heavily promoted in home decor magazines and
retail stores. The images below were taken from Domino magazine and J.Crew.



The zebra patterns were forever the favored prints of famed decorator Billy Baldwin
and fashionista Diana Vreeland. The black and white or brown and cream colored
curvy lines were injected into rooms and fashion outfits to lend crisp contrast,
vitality, style and personality.


(l to r: Hot Flowers by Versace by Rosenthal, starting at $25.00, Bloomingdales; Zebra
stripe serving bowl, $32.90, Tracy Porter, Horchow)

Now, zebra patterns are showing up in various ways in your table top decor. The
interest in animal prints is driven partially by their versatility. The zebra pattern
is different things to different people: A sophisticated and even glamorous design
statement, adding luxury and richness to a setting. A touch of whimsy, fantasy
or fun. A way to bring a bit of the natural world or one's ethnic heritage into one's
home. Or an element of surprise to an otherwise conventional table setting.



(l to r: Zebra plates, $25.00, William Wayne; Zebra dinnerware, starting at $100.00, Vivre)

Because I believe in setting an eclectic table, when it comes to using zebra patterns,
mix and match. Graphic prints look great with zebra patterns with bold colors and
strong geometric patterns. Florals look right with zebra patterns, in the English
colonial spirit and jungly floral designs are particularly compatible.


(l to r: beaded zebra coasters, set of 6, $23.70, Z Gallerie; Zebra print place mats, set of
4, $382.00, Horchow)

When it comes to zebra patterns, flexibility is the key. Look around your kitchen and
see if the animal print would work as well in another part of your home. Then if
you get tired of it, you can always let it slink away to your bedside table, bathroom
vanity or coffee table.



(above: Zebra tray, $49.95, Z Gallerie)