Blue and white ticking fabric, also known as mattress ticking or French mattress ticking, is one of my go-to fabrics. It has been around for a very long time, and was originally used for its pragmatic feature of being thick and durable so that whatever the mattress was stuffed with wouldn’t poke thru. These days, it’s used for both its practicality and its aesthetic appeal.
So aside from being a down-to-earth fabric with a long history of usability, I think ticking goes with almost everything. And, it’s affordable (the links above will take you to some sources). I like what it does to a room—in some cases it brings it down and in other cases it adds to the rustic charm—however it works, it usually does the trick for me.
I’ve gathered some pretty examples of ticking used in various ways. I hope you find something that inspires you today!
Custom wallpaper above and bold pairings with red.
On chairs and ottomans it’s fresh and classic.
Looking smart with black piping (above). And it always looks good in a summer home (below).
In bedrooms it looks great mixed with other unexpected patterns or taking center stage.
Happy Friday!
Holly
On the one hand it’s such a bold move this notion of using one pattern throughout your entire house, on everything from curtains to slipcovers to headboards to vanity skirts. Would it feel restrictive (like trying to write a sonnet instead of free verse)? Or liberating because one major design choice is already made (also like trying to write a sonnet instead of free verse)?
How does one pull this off? How to pick the fabric? (for starters), and how to make it look stylish instead of just repetitive? Or how not to make it look over-styled and over-decorated? And why take this approach in the first place?
Among other things, this article began my love affair with 
What I find interesting is how Ms. Cushing brings in touches of other patterns with floral towels and crocheted throws and animal print rugs. And there are notes of purple that I would never have thought to use with this fabric, yet they add a nice contrast and brightness.
To keep it all together she uses one paint color 
Ruffles, I must admit, are not exactly one of my favorite things. They conjure up images of the country decorating style that was popular in the early 80s—lots of ruffles and check and wooden ducks and pot pourri. None of these things are offensive alone, but the combination feels rather dated now. My mother went for this look (one of her phases), and I do believe there were ruffles involved.
This sofa’s short ruffles are in 
Sweeping the floor is whole other look, which adds even more drama, like a woman in a long skirt (especially when everyone else is wearing short skirts).
Here, artist F
Elegant Country Style 