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Pia Seidel
Opinion

Pia's Picks: A single line is enough for me

Pia Seidel
16.9.2026
Translation: machine translated

White is never just white – at least not anymore. What I am seeing everywhere right now: furniture and home accessories in clean white, with edges, seams, or borders highlighted in a contrasting color. Like a passe-partout around a picture. Subtle, but that is exactly what makes the difference.

Sometimes it takes surprisingly little to turn a simple piece into a statement. I’ve recently developed a weakness for exactly that: furniture and accessories in pure white that seem inconspicuous at first glance – until you see the edge. A piping, a serrated edge, a single fine line in a contrasting color. That is enough to give a shape contour: almost as if someone had placed the entire object in a picture frame.

I first noticed this through an article by Milk Decoration, who proclaimed this «répertoire graphique» for brands like Hay, Zara Home, and Serax for autumn 2025. And indeed: ever since, I’ve been seeing more and more contrast edges.

The lamp with the fine line

My favorite example of this comes from the Danish brand Hay: designer Ana Kraš has created an entire family of lamps with «Ava» – wall lamps, pendant lamps, table lamps. The shade is made of recycled PET, paper-like and translucent, and is framed by a contrasting fabric piping. It is precisely this line that turns a simple cone shape into a graphic statement.

The fine fabric piping gives the simple cone shape contour.
The fine fabric piping gives the simple cone shape contour.
Source: Hay
Quilted, framed with piping: cushions and bedspreads bring the same contrast edge into the bedroom.
Quilted, framed with piping: cushions and bedspreads bring the same contrast edge into the bedroom.
Source: Ferm Living
White porcelain, outlined in black – the entire tableware series follows the same graphic line.
White porcelain, outlined in black – the entire tableware series follows the same graphic line.
Source: Serax

I find the same idea in the «Vari» bedspread and the matching quilted cushion from Ferm Living: undyed organic cotton, a gently washed texture, and piping in dark chocolate that gives the otherwise minimalist design a subtle depth. The trick also shows in the details with the Serax tableware: the hand-painted edges emphasize the monochrome character of the porcelain and turn a simple espresso cup into a small graphic statement.

Where else the edge appears

The same idea also works with colorful home accessories. Take, for example, the moon or star cushion from Ferm Living, inspired by the night sky: with a contrasting piping along the edge, it adds a playful accent to the nursery, the bed, or the sofa – available in cream with a red line or green with a cream-colored line. And for those who prefer the line on a larger scale rather than in a small format, you can find it in the «Outline» shower curtain in cream/blue or pink/white, also from Hay. There, the same twist runs right across the entire bathroom.

The contrast edge is also allowed to play along in the nursery: these cushions playfully showcase the outer line.
The contrast edge is also allowed to play along in the nursery: these cushions playfully showcase the outer line.
Source: Ferm Living
With the Outline shower curtain, the line runs right across the entire bathroom.
With the Outline shower curtain, the line runs right across the entire bathroom.
Source: Hay
Actual product image Broste Copenhagen Espresso Mug Salt Ceramic.14533229 (100 ml, 1x)
Cups

Broste Copenhagen Espresso Mug Salt Ceramic.14533229

100 ml, 1x

Actual product image Ferm Living Vari Quilted Bedspread - Double - Natural/Dark Cho (260 x 230 cm)
Blankets

Ferm Living Vari Quilted Bedspread - Double - Natural/Dark Cho

260 x 230 cm

Actual product image Broste Copenhagen Scallop Fussabtreter black/natural 60x90cm (90 x 60 cm)
Doormats

Broste Copenhagen Scallop Fussabtreter black/natural 60x90cm

90 x 60 cm

Actual product image HAY - Outline Shower Curtain - W180 x L200 cm - Cream & Blue (180 x 200 cm)
Shower curtains
EUR85,05

HAY - Outline Shower Curtain - W180 x L200 cm - Cream & Blue

180 x 200 cm

Broste Copenhagen Espresso Mug Salt Ceramic.14533229 (100 ml, 1x)

Broste Copenhagen Espresso Mug Salt Ceramic.14533229

100 ml, 1x

Ferm Living Vari Quilted Bedspread - Double - Natural/Dark Cho (260 x 230 cm)

Ferm Living Vari Quilted Bedspread - Double - Natural/Dark Cho

260 x 230 cm

Broste Copenhagen Scallop Fussabtreter black/natural 60x90cm (90 x 60 cm)

Broste Copenhagen Scallop Fussabtreter black/natural 60x90cm

90 x 60 cm

HAY - Outline Shower Curtain - W180 x L200 cm - Cream & Blue (180 x 200 cm)
EUR85,05

HAY - Outline Shower Curtain - W180 x L200 cm - Cream & Blue

180 x 200 cm

Whether it’s a lamp, a quilted cushion, or a shower curtain – in the end, it’s always the same little trick: a single line is enough to give character to something simple.

In the series «Pia's Picks», I regularly introduce you to favorite finds that I don't need, but still pine for.

Header image: Pia Seidel

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Like a cheerleader, I celebrate good design and bring you closer to everything furniture- and interior design-related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior finds, track down trends and interview creative minds about their work.


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