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Gone are the days of sweet, saccharine gingham. Instead we’ve been seeing retro-cool checkerboard everywhere, from the streetwear fashions of model Gigi Hadid to the check-bedecked restaurant La Sasteria from the daring Spanish design firm Masquespacio. The pattern is equal parts nostalgic and fresh, plus everyone loves it, which makes it a prime choice for holiday gifting.
Here, we’ve rounded up our favorites, including an updated take on the great love affair of your teens—your Vans, of course!—and punchy lampshades crafted from recycled scrap paper. Now you can start making your list and, um, checking it twice.
Punch up classic checks with a vibrant palette, seen at work on this fresh and modern cylinder seat by the playfully luxurious Italian label Missoni.
Your coffee will stay hot while you sip from this cool thermal mug, which is sure to impress colleagues on a Zoom call.
With less events on the calendar, try to brighten up a friend’s day by gifting a set of acrylic checkers—instead of Edie Parker’s famed acrylic clutches—and cozy up for a game beside the fire on a Saturday night.
Swoon-worthy ceramics, hand-painted and glazed with a 14-karat gold rim, ensure guests will be feeling festive at your next dinner party.
An electric jumble of jazzy checks create a jacquard napkin that is merry and bright, serving as an alternate take on winter green at a holiday table.
A modern twist on a traditional print, this apron features two pockets perfect for holding a cell phone, trusty wooden spoon, or any must-have cooking tool for the Great British Bake Off fan in your life.
Tote your earbuds in style while sporting this handmade mini shoulder bag with painterly checks.
Who wouldn’t want to cozy up in a hand-loomed Peruvian alpaca throw? Thankfully the black and white color scheme goes with almost any decor.
Designed in 1965 by the director of stalwart brand Herman Miller, this checkerboard fabric is as hip now as it was then. We think it would look great on a well-loved sofa.
You’ll want to watch your step atop Marc Phillips’s stunning Swedish flat-weave rug, which makes a subtle statement in any room.
A new collaboration between the Museum of Modern Art and beloved sneaker go-to Vans will have kids of all ages walking on sunshine.
Jaipurian cream and yellow recycled paper is handwoven in West London to create impactful lampshades in two sizes, both of which would glow in a WFH office.
This trippy chess table will have your most competitive friends calling “checkmate!” all year round.
Guests won’t miss these glamorous hoops, even from 6 feet away at the socially distant event of the season.
A jolly pack of eco-friendly straws makes every sip an occasion. Sip, sip, hooray!
Our Fall Style issue has arrived! Subscribe now to get an exclusive first look at Ayesha Curry’s Bay Area home—and discover how design can shape our world.