Tartan, a timeless classic

Commonly associated with Celtic cultures, tartans (also known as plaid in North America and checks in England) are multi coloured patterns composed of crisscrossed, vertical and horizontal bands.

Being a Scot I love tartan and have always wanted to incorporate it into one of my rooms but have yet to find the right room to do it in. My husband brought me home a red tartan wool throw from a trip to Edinburgh which I take out at Holiday time to add a splash of red and keep me toasty warm.

The closest I got to decorating with a tartan theme was a tablescape I created in a store in which I worked. I used red tartan runners on a beautiful farmhouse table which had a rich wood top and black painted legs. Lots of greenery was used as a centerpiece mixed with natural elements of pinecones and red berries. Plain white basic china was used and it really popped on the red plaid. We sold out of the table and chairs so I must have done my job in merchandising with that particular display!

If I ever own a cottage and spend the holidays in it red plaid will be my decorating scheme with lots of evergreens, pinecones and some red and ivory pillows in rich velvets and textured cable knits and my wool throw of course and perhaps an antler chandelier!

In the November issue of House and Home magazine I noticed Canadian Tire has a line of tree decorations with a plaid theme called “A Canadian Christmas” by Debbie Travis – check out the ad it’s very creative done like a family portrait with everyone and everything clad in red tartan.

If you do decorate with a tartan scheme for Christmas I am jealous so send me a picture and I will pull out my red tartan throw and dream about my cottage!

For great tartan pieces check out The Plaid Place in Halifax or The Scottish Lion in Bedford.