Recently I've seen gingham used in many modern and sophisticated ways. The colloquial quality of the pattern combined with sleek and/or luxurious elements can make — an otherwise serious — decor fun and playful.

Gingham has graduated to being the centerpiece of a room, like in David Mitchell's interior, from being relegated to home accessory use only. Designers are using it to add punchy flavor, in the form of pillows and lampshades. They are also placing the pattern on kitchen and bathroom floors as a contemporary homage to its traditional use in these rooms.

The most notable trailblazing gingham design is the famous Hästens mattress. It's an extremely expensive ($4000-$12,000) mattress in luxury hotels in Sweden, Denmark and Spain. It's made of all natural material and is covered with a trademark gingham pattern.

Images: 1. Design Crack 2. Style Decor and Simplified Bee 3. David Mitchell and Associates 4. Sleep Revolution 5. Solo Portfolio