From houndstooth to gingham, Argyle to windowpane, Madras to Tattersall and many, many tartans from clan colours to district designs, it’s a season when it’s hip to be square.
Patterns fall in and out of fashion.
Tartan and checks haven’t been this on point since the New Romantics of the early 1980s.
Bed down
Sophie Robinson’s Picnic Plaid is a vibrant 100 per cent cotton duvet set.
The bold gingham pattern offers a warm and inviting look that is reversible, so you can switch things up when you get bored.
A super king size costs €110 at Dunelm (formerly Hickey’s Home Focus) and includes two plain pillowcases.
Tartan army
Kirkby Design’s Shuffle is a multi-coloured check that is soft on the eye and tough enough to use on upholstery, as shown.
The line/wool/cotton/polyester mix costs €215 per metre to order from Julianne Kelly Interiors, one of several Irish stockists.
Highland fling underfoot
For those who feel tartan carpets remind them of hotels and guesthouses from a bygone era, this collection of deeply pigmented matt-finished square floor tiles from Dune Ceramics has been woven into a lattice design to make the floor come alive.
Chicago ginger and olive are the colours that have been paired with white.
The range costs about €50 per square metre and is available to order from Deansgrange-based Tuscan Stone Bathrooms
Punk but pretty
For a little payday boost, invest in these gold-rimmed side plates that are both elegant enough to serve afternoon tea and have enough punk attitude to elevate the look of any table setting.
They channel the punk end of the tablescaping spectrum and will also make a gorgeous gift for the house proud, come Christmas.
They cost €13.50 per pair at Marks and Spencer.
Throw it on
A throw can gussie up the back of a sofa and be on hand when you feel like snuggling under something warm, it can hide a tired seat, dress a bed and bring in colour.
Pictured is the Irish-made, macha cashmere and lambswool mix check from Foxford, E175.
Shortbread chic
This stoneware platter adds a rainbow of colour to whatever you choose to serve. It costs €55 from Anthropologie.
Serve with hot tea and shortbread – you’d have to.
Poetry in motion
Named after a poem by the illustrious Scottish bard, Robert Burns, the quirky tartan Red Red Rose carpet by Alternative Flooring is vibrant and made from certified wool.
This is the ultimate choice for your interior space, especially if you plump for a simple black and white and read all over the colourscape.
It costs about €144 per square metre from TC Matthews.
