BUFFALO CHECKERED /GINGHAM/ PLAID ROMAN SHADES & WINDOW BLINDS

Buffalo checks, gingham, plaid – they never go out of fashion, do they? Iconic patterns stand the test of time and go out of vogue only to come back with renewed fervor. Checker, as the primeval of all, and gingham and plaid joining the course to add more visual variety, have together given the world enduring patterns of an impressive class and legacy. So if you’re looking to invite nostalgia and a bit of old-fashioned romance into your space, you’ll find our collection of gingham, plaid, and checked roman shades to be a perfect fit.

Can’t differentiate between the three? Put simply by our stylists –

  • Checks: Squares in two different colors placed in alternating positions; typically imagine a black-and-white checkerboard. Many credit the origin of checkered prints to a Scottish man known for trading buffalo check blankets on the frontiers of North America in the 19th century. History also attributes it to Pennsylvania-based Woolrich Woolen Mills for introducing the signature version in 1850.
  • Gingham: Dyed cotton with overlapping stripes of color combined with white thread to create a distinctive crisscross pattern. Gingham traces its roots to the early 1600s in Dutch-colonized Malaysia. The name ‘gingham’ itself comes from the Malayan word, ‘genggang’, typically meaning stripes.
  • Plaid: Criss-crossed horizontal and vertical lines with varying widths, usually creating a grid of multiple colors. Plaid, in particular, has been America’s near-and-dear. It came with Scottish migrants who held it as a symbol of unity and resistance to tyranny. On American shores, it took on a new life as an iconic fixture of the frontier home, the tradesman, and the minimalistic romanticist intellectual.

Traditionally, these patterns were considered to be men’s patterns – symmetrical, orderly, solid and just a tad laconic. They were designed to calm, focus, remind of order and adjust to the working mood. No surprise, even now, we find that our checked roman shades adorn a lot of masculine spaces, studies, home offices and little boys’ bedrooms. But design them in soft hues and you’ll find them donning a gender-neutral approach. So while our roman shades in understated ‘Slow Green’ fabric are conversation starters in many modern white kitchens – while ‘Newspaper Ink’ is a perennial fave against dark grey walls in moody interiors.

In summary, our collection brings you a wide range of plaid roman shades in various color combinations to suit any space and personal taste.

All said, any introduction to these patterns would be incomplete without a nod to their ‘native’ home, the kitchen of course. Full of ‘square’ geometry – backsplash mosaics, floor tiles, ovens, and toasters – kitchens allow checked and plaid roman shades to logically complete a kitchen’s composition. Where checked curtains might prove too traditional or full, roman shades, however – with their inherent minimalism – are a perfect fit for a modern-day farmhouse kitchen.

Dressing Your Windows with Buffalo Checked/ Gingham/ Plaid Roman Shades 

Whichever of the three patterns you choose for your windows – plaid, checks, or ginghams, be assured that you are signing in for that homey feeling we all crave in our interior designing projects.

Here are some useful tips from our expert stylists to decorate your home with gingham/plaid/ buffalo check roman shades.

Mind the Scale: Since roman shades have a flat frontage, patterns get to be showcased in their full energy. Make sure that their proportions go in tandem with the size of the window and of the room. Too small, and they may not attract view, too big, and they may overwhelm the window.  A bold large-scale pattern, for example, would be advisable for a high-ceiling, spacious study, while a small-scale plaid or delicate gingham would prove better suited for a narrow window overlooking your cozy breakfast nook.

Solid Backdrops: Patterns sit strongest and proudest against neutral, monochromatic plain backdrops. Our eyes gravitate towards patterns effortlessly in such environs. And two patterns placed side by side will vie for attention, making the room look cluttered despite the thoughtful selection of attractive motifs. Patterns interspersed by solid elements – that’s the way to go. So, backdrop your favorite plaid roman shades with solid walls and they’ll steal the show.

Versatile Decor-Piece: With their peculiar ability to go with nearly any style and space, roman shades in these geometrically perfect, fuss-free patterns never fail to impress, whether you’re fashioning a mid-century modern living room or a contemporary-chic dining space. However, it is noteworthy that farmhouse-style homes are rarely ever complete without buffalo checks and ginghams.

Pattern Trinity: Patterns always get their share of attention and truly make your rooms vibrant and elegant. But it is the pairing of compatible patterns that does the trick. These three patterns go well with each other and introducing them to other elements in the home allows for a cohesive flow of the theme. For an element of contrast, make a pattern trinity by pairing them with curvy motifs such as florals, toile, damask and paisley. However, let them never slip out of the color palette of the room.

Fold Style: Sharp-edged patterns get a similar structure to go with in the flat-folds shades. We highly recommend the back-slatted shades which can give these patterns a continuous frontage to have an undisrupted flow. Ginghams can overcome the visual breaks of the front-slatted shades if you wish to opt for that style, but avoid front slats on larger scale patterns because the patterns won’t be shown in the best light. Relaxed roman shades, with their scalloped bottoms, offer an element of visual interest with their curvy details softening the straight lines of the motif.

Easily blendable with any decor style, buffalo checks, ginghams, and plaid roman shades are lovely design elements. In highly ornate settings, they provide a striking polarity of simplicity and intricacy. In spaces that hold the minimalist’s ethics, they uphold the theme to the fullest. So, shop roman shades in your favorite pattern and have an easy, breezy time finding the perfect window dressing for your lovely home.

Happy browsing!