I am acutely aware of trends and can almost predict how fast they’ll crash and burn or how bright and steady their light will glow. Checkerboard has always been a thing (from the actual game of checkers to, of course, Vans), but the motif came in hot and heavy in mid-2021 and has been gaining momentum ever since. I love a checkerboard pattern: It’s crisp and graphic and adds a bit of pizzaz to any room.
My first experience with the checkerboard pattern was in the ’80s. The decorator of the family, my Aunt Gretchen, was very into folk art and early American antiques. She had a primitive folk art wooden checkerboard dating from the late 19th century hanging on her wall that I thought was the coolest thing ever. I loved to imagine the different people that had played lively games on that very board. In the early 2000s, I discovered artist Victor Vasarely, and bought a pair of his lithographs from Todd Romano’s shop on Lexington Avenue. And don’t get me started on the many pairs of Vans checkerboard sneakers I’ve cycled through in my lifetime! Needless to say, I can’t get enough of the bold, graphic nature of the checkerboard pattern—check out some of my picks below!
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Jan Hendrix tiled this Mexico City bathroom in warm terracotta and ochre.
©Allan Fis/Living Mexico City -
Deep blue and cream tiles add a graphic touch to a classic space by Jesse Parris-Lamb .
Nicole Frazen -
Nina Farmer brought a 1920s powder room to life with a checked motif.
Stephen Kent Johnson
Jan Hendrix tiled this Mexico City bathroom in warm terracotta and ochre.
©Allan Fis/Living Mexico CityDeep blue and cream tiles add a graphic touch to a classic space by Jesse Parris-Lamb .
Nicole FrazenNina Farmer brought a 1920s powder room to life with a checked motif.
Stephen Kent Johnson-
“I love Anna Spiro’s work—it’s colorful, playful, layered, and a little quirky. They are very well-made and add just a dash of the unexpected charm to my otherwise mess of a desk.”
Anthropologie Anna Spiro Allegory Lamp Base, $128. anthropologie.com
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“The perfect gift for any fashion-foodie-fusion friends!”
The Missoni Family Cookbook, $60. assouline.com
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“Rei Kawakubo is the queen of chic. Everything she designs just elevates one’s cool factor, so I naturally gravitated towards her take on checkerboard.”
Comme Des Garçons Wallet, $200. farfetch.com
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“This pastel version of the traditional game of checkers completely hits the mark. It’s cute, colorful, and provides hours of entertainment!”
Edie Parker Checkers Set, $1,895. modaoperandi.com
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“Everyone needs a little footstool lying around, whether it’s to kick up one’s feet or have your kids use as a springboard to nosedive the sofa. They come in very handy!”
Sierra Checkered Ottoman, $499. urbanoutfitters.com
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“This adorable egg cup feels posh, hand-made, sweet and very, very British!
Vaiselle Eggcellent Egg Cup, $69. vaiselleboutique.com
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“This sweet little lacquer stash box is the perfect size for stray buttons, paperclips, hair ties, ribbons, and small seashells!”
Jonathan Adler Large Checkerboard Lacquer Box, $175. jonathanadler.com
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“Swimwear is another way to dip one’s toe (no pun intended) into a trend! Put these little trunks on your toddler and you’ll easily be able to spot him on the beach!”
Seaesta Surf x Peanuts Checkerboard Boardshorts, $40. maisonette.com
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“I’ll be keeping my feet nice and toasty one square inch at a time.”
Verloop Checkerboard Sock Slippers, $38. verloopknits.com
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“Most people have white everyday dishes, and the easiest way to jazz things up are with table linens. I’m loving this classic blue-and-white motif!”
Soil to Studio Hand-Printed Divya Table Runner, $80. madewell.com
