Decorating Using Different Ian Mankin Check Fabrics

Explore tartan check fabrics

Tartan check is a traditional weave that hails back to a rich Scottish heritage. Every tartan design is woven in unique colourways to distinguish each ‘clan’. A clan is a Scottish term for a close-knit group of families, a popular term used in Scottish history. The vertical and horizontal patterns must match a plaid classed as a tartan. The word tartan itself derives from ‘tartaine’, a French term that refers to a particular kind of checked cloth.

Influenced by the tartan check, our Kintyre Check fabric is available in a range of classic colourways with a complementing neutral ground for added warmth. This design is woven in a linen-viscose blend which promises durability and a subtle sheen finish. Consider pairing our Kintyre Check Dark Navy with Montrose Dark Navy for a rich and warm palette with timeless elegance or Chelsea Peony for a bolder pop of vibrant red. For a more muted finish, complement this design alongside our Arran Natural. There are endless ways to add interest to any space with tartan checks.  For additional inspiration on how to bring this timeless pattern into your home all year round, Elle Decor has all the ideas you need.

Get bold with clashing patterns

Many of our check fabrics are composed using multiple colours, allowing you to bring an eclectic and vibrant mix of tones into your home. Clashing colours and patterns is a big trend. However, getting it right can be overwhelming because there are so many options!

Take a look at this striking living room by @markdsikes which features sofa cushions in our Suffolk Large Gingham Check Indigo fabric alongside an array of clashing floral prints in vibrant hues of complimenting blues and fresh greens. Gingham checks are predicted to be a significant interior trend for 2022. To find out more about this design, take a look at our recent blog ‘What is Gingham Check Fabric?’. 

Do you fancy going colourful and eclectic but are unsure where to start? Take the lead from Former Fashion Editor and Interior Stylist Erica Davies in Cosmopolitan on how to mix clashing prints and colours in your home. She advises starting off small and choosing one specific element you love and want to bring more of into the room. This element could be a vibrant flash of colour or a particular pattern in multiple scales.

Keep it minimal

If mixing bold patterns feels too daunting and you’d prefer something more minimal, then our large-scale Hemsby Check and Skye Check fabrics are perfect. Our coastal-inspired Hemsby Check Cobalt and Oatmeal fabrics (on sofa cushions below) feature a soft check design that uses subtle dashes of colour to create a timeless and liveable pattern. This extremely versatile fabric is also available in our 1485 collection in association with The Landmark Trust featuring a soft taupe ground, ideal for making a space feel cosy and inviting.

Alternatively, why not consider our large-scale windowpane style Skye Check fabrics? The windowpane check was initially designed for suiting, taking its name from the window-like narrow square plaid pattern. Here, our Skye Check Oatmeal has been added as a highlighting feature to this sofa, paired with Skye Check Flax woven in the inverse colour palette. These checks add interest without being an overbearing feature and pair beautifully with complimentary striped wallpaper, as pictured below.

Over the years, checks have been wonderfully adapted into an interior fabric. For innovative ideas on using these classic designs initially designed for suiting and outwear throughout your home, explore The Architectural Digest‘s recent article.

Experiment with check cushions

Home accessories are a simple, affordable way to instantly add colour and pattern to any home. Consider mixing and matching our collection of check cushions with co-ordinating plain designs for a more laid-back look, or make a visual statement with contrasting stripes and floral patterns. . This monochrome living room (below) layers different size cushions in bold checks and florals with softer organic shapes in similar colours to liven up this neutral sofa. Recreate this look with our Avon Check Black, Wildflower Charcoal and Chelsea Charcoal fabrics.

For additional inspiration, take a look at our blog ‘How to Decorate Your Home with Cushions’ full of handy hints and tips for selecting the right cushions for you! 

Hopefully, you are now brimming with inspiration and have seen various ways to decorate your home with check fabrics. Don’t forget you can order samples online to discover your favourites, but if you’d like additional help, get in touch with one of our stockists, who would be happy to help.