Pattern Play

Use these tried-and-true cozy patterns to give your home a holiday makeover.

- Jickie Torres

Nothing says classic Christmas quite like plaid. Whether it’s a Swedish-inspired red and white or a Scottish-like green and crimson, adding plaid accents in your pillows, rugs, throws—even your Christmas ribbon—is a wonderful way to imbue your home with a wintry warmth. Ready for your plaid makeover? Here’s your pattern primer.

1. TARTAN

Composed of crossed horizontal and vertical stripes in multiple colors that meet at 90-degree angles. The warp and weft threads are woven in a two-over two twill pattern; this plaid often contains a band or two where the threads are very visible.