Fresh Take: 13 Great Ways to Say Yes to Plaid

When I hear “plaid,” my mind immediately conjures up L.L. Bean flannel shirts, Scottish tartan kilts and very traditional rooms. Plaid patterns adorn dark libraries full of leather-bound books, offices that smell of rich mahogany, hunting cabins, overstuffed sofas in country estates where cocktail hour occurs promptly at 6:00 every evening … you get the idea. What’s caught my eye lately is the way designers are giving my preconceived plaid notions a twist, mixing the pattern into modern, contemporary, transitional and eclectic rooms. Here are 13 ways to freshen up this classic pattern.

Pair plaid with unexpected prints. Here ikat and cheetah patterns feel right at home around traditional plaid betting.

“I love to use plaid. It’s a great classic, and it’s linear, so it works with all sorts of unexpected patterns, like organics, spots, something more tribal and more,” says interior designer Naomi Stein. “I hip it up with unexpected patterns and by pairing it with colors that aren’t so matchy-matchy — it makes it look more eclectic.”


Create one strong plaid focal point. This curved cocktail table is a true show stealer in this stunning room. The window treatments and a few other small elements pick up on the table’s brilliant colors.


Pop bright white against a plaid backdrop. The sleek sconces, streamlined shelving system, large pendant light and classic Saarinen Tulip Table update plaid-covered walls here.


This trick works with white bedding as well. Note the black lacquer on the ornate bed, another unexpected touch.

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Wallpaper: Laura Ashley


Go glam with subtle plaid touches. While the color palette in this bedroom is subdued, the texture palette is luxe. The pattern complements rather than distracts from the sparkly Liz artwork.

Window treatment fabric: Duralee 89185-432


Jazz up a room with traditional bones. This bathroom has traditional bones: classic molding, candle sconces and an antique repurposed vanity. But the custom mosaic marble floor in an oversize plaid pattern and the modern take on an art deco mirror bring sizzling updated style.

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Stick to a pattern that uses only a few colors. In a larger room, a large-scale plaid created by tiles in a limited color palette lends a crisp, transitional look.

Flooring: 12- by 12-inch vinyl composition tile in Cameo White, Midnight and Iron, Mannington

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Conjure up a sharp-dressed man — one who buys a tailored suit in the U.K. His silk tie translates into a silk throw pillow; a small-square-patterned pocket square inspires a large-scale patterned rug.

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Embrace the plaid sofa again. I grew up with an ugly, scratchy brown plaid pullout sofa, and I never thought I’d want plaid again. But interior designer Jill Goldberg has changed my mind with the way she incorporated this classic pattern into an eclectic mix. A cheeky throw pillow, a coffee table with midcentury modern lines and a curly branch keep this sofa from veering into looking like a page from The Preppy Handbook.

Denton Sofa: Bernhardt, available via Hudson Interior Design


Think “hunting cabin meets updated Shabby Chic.” Updated Shabby Chic style is crisper and warmer than the original version. Cream replaces white; clean lines fill in for some of the ruffles; and chippy paint is restricted to just one piece. Here a neutral palette, a large-scale plaid pattern and faux trophies complete this contemporary country tableau.

Connie Chair (1985) upholstered in Walden Granite (984): CR Laine


Use one long line of plaid down the table. A simple runner in a monochromatic color palette ties this tablescape together.


Keep the color palette light. Often rooms that use plaid include a lot of deep red, hunter green or navy blue. A light, neutral color palette modernizes the look. Clear Ghost Chairs, a contemporary chandelier shade and streamlined Belgian-style upholstered chairs add clean silhouettes.


Here crisp white on the walls, trim, cabinets and backsplash lets the plaid stand out and adds warmth to this eat-in kitchen. Thonet Bistro Chairs and details like bin pulls give the room a Scandinavian farmhouse feel.


Drive the plaid up the wall. This beautiful kitchen has a crisp, tailored look, with controlled whimsy brought in by a large-scale tile mosaic pattern.

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Take it outside. A bright and energetic plaid is one of the last things one would expect to see paired with contemporary architecture and outdoor furniture. That’s why it is so successful on this deck.

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More: See a personal, plaid-filled home in San Francisco

URL: Fresh Take: 13 Great Ways to Say Yes to Plaid http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-24773.html