“Pink Check”, Summerill & Bishop x Claridge’s linen tablecloth, £355
(Picture: Handout)Checkerboard or chequerboard; however you spell it, this enduring interiors trend isn’t going away.
From classic lino floors to ceramics and woven upholstery, we’ve all gone square-eyed for the classic checkered design.
Having said that; there’s a time and a place for monochrome and the UK in July is calling out for colour as bright as our shoulders after a day in the garden, so keep scrolling for a seasonal take on chequerboard, with traditional black-and-white replaced by an ice cream sundae of colours.
Last year, Summerill & Bishop’s released a chequerboard linen collab with Claridge’s – a nod to the iconic London hotel’s glossy black-and-white lobby. For summer, the designs have been rolled out in sugared-almond shades and the napkins are the most affordable way to own a piece of the collection – they cost £27.50 each.
Handmade and air-dried, this triple candle holder from Leeds-based Ceramic Room confirms that it’s hip to be square. It’s available from stylish homewares platform Glassette and costs £50.
Small London-based brand Balu London will add instant pizzazz to beans on toast with their glossy set of chequerboard placemats in a medley of sherbert colours.
If the shape isn’t doing it for you, the brand also sells the same design in a round version. They are £102 for a set of six.
This lilac chequerboard vase by small brand Vaisselle is handmade and hand-painted in Spain. Keep it local and fill it with some shocking-pink British blooms. It’s £55 from Liberty.
No one does a statement Crayola-bright cushion like enterprising Gambian designer, In Casa by Paboy; question is, do you have a chair that’s worthy of these fruity red and pink squares? This cushion costs £115 from Selfridges.
MacKenzie-Childs was making chequerboard cool long before the trend hit the big time - invest in a piece from the OG with this charming enamel footed bowl in crisp blue and white.
It costs £128 from Amara and it claims to be for compote but we say use it for any old thing – it’s far too lovely to save for jam.
Henry Holland continues to be London’s most coveted pot dealer with his latest collection of chequerboard ceramics for the breakfast table.
We’ve picked out this handsome mug – £75 from Liberty – as being one of the most useful pieces but you could also dabble in jugs, egg cup plates and toast racks if you wanted a full set.
Spice up your life, your bar of soap, your loose change or your next jar of olives with this vivid glass dish by David Perry Glass Ceramics.
Useful for all manner of things, Perry’s designs are also available in smaller sizes and other colourways, so there’s a checkered glass for all tastes. This one costs £35 from Glassette.
