Fall 2008, from left to right: Y3, Peter Jensen, DSquared
This Fall's runway shows were uniformly heavy on tartans (check out style.com for more images), and it's starting to spread (see Kristen's tartan wall post from yesterday). We've always harbored a love for simple black and red buffalo plaid, so we thought we'd do a quick roundup of a few related products for the home. More images after the jump...
Using such a strong, historical pattern in the home can be tricky. More often than not, plaids summon up images of log cabins, flannel sheets and weekends in the country; but paired with uncommon pieces and finishes, we think incorporating the weave into a more urban setting creates interesting effects.
Ralph Lauren does this well in his stores, combining traditional, humble tartans with expensive materials like chrome and dyed alligator.
If you can ignore the coffee table, carpeting and walls in the photo above (we are trying very, very hard), the use of buffalo plaid, especially where it's mixed with riveted leather on the Stagecoach sofa, is brilliant. Available through Cabin Fever Log Furniture, who create custom pieces tailored to suit rustic themes.
The Scottish Weaver sells a variety of upholstery-grade cotton plaids, at a more than reasonable $16.95 a yard. They also make wool tartan ribbon, which we think would look amazing as wall trim (L.L. Bean makes a plaid duct tape which could be used in the same way).
CB2 has jumped on the bandwagon as well, outfitting it's slim Dempsey chair in a grey and yellow.
Country Curtains offers these Sturbridge Plaid tailored curtains (from $89.00 pair), and below, Ralph Lauren's Elm Check Ginham, around $500 a set.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Maybe if it was just a little bit like a bag or scarf, but the head-to-toe is a bit much for me.
view mmh1983's profile
Just wanted to add that in the right room, accent pieces might work, but I think this is one pattern that could get overpowering in a hurry.
view mmh1983's profile
And WOMEN say runway shows present un unattainable body type for THEM!
view patrick (the other one)'s profile
noooooooooooooooooooooooooo! not plaid!
*sigh*
Doesn't anyone remember the 80s and how wrong it was then? it's still wrong.
view kimg924's profile
head to toe, especially with a frown on your face, is just not attractive!
view sassydo's profile
Agreed with everyone else about the head to toe thing. An accent is fine, but geez, those first two photos are just painful to look at.
view confusednazgul's profile
Because plaids keep the eye moving so much, I think they're best used as accents.
Plaid pillows on a solid-color couch, perhaps.
That said, my parents had a plaid couch *and* a made-to-match plaid Axminster carpet, but it worked because it was a darker plaid with larger blocks of color.
view Stiletto's profile
I agree with kim. Done the plaid thing a long time ago and I can't stand it now.
view citygirlincountry's profile
Ok, i take it back. Plaid always has been and always will be great for picnic blankets and the flannel lining inside coleman sleeping bags.
view kimg924's profile
Looks like I will, yet again, be out of step with the fashion world.
view oceandreamer56's profile