Decoding Houndstooth

Paisley, Argyle, Houndstooth, Plaid, Fishbone: Have you ever wondered what characteristics of a pattern make it indistinguishable from other patterns? 


According to Wikipedia Houndstooth "is a duotone textile pattern, characterized by broken checks or abstract four-pointed shapes, often in black and white, although other colors are used". It originated in Scotland and consist of alternating bands of four dark and four light threads. Its used in various textile versions from home decor to fashion. 


Let's decode this mysterious alternating band concept:
First, block out the solid squares from the striped squares.

Secondly, Find stripes within the squares.

Next, Mimic squares by placing a row of black squares then white squares horizontally. In between each solid square should be a striped square. These are alternated.

Finally, copy and paste striped bands half way in between above and below so that in the striped squares, there are five threads: black then white then black then white then finally again black. 

Here are a few examples of products that use the Houndstooth pattern in interesting and bold ways.

This is a Marc Jacobs dress that the character Blair Waldorf wore on Gossip Girl. I have no idea if this dress is still in stores but I do love the large pattern and color combination. I found it on Cool Spotters.

These chairs are fantastic. They may be a bit bold for my tiny Manhattan apartment, but I can see them in light, airy, minimalist home office adding a perfect amount of pizzazz to the space. The are the perfect combination of modern graphics and 19th century furniture. I found them on 1stdibs.com. 

This screen is by a designer named Courtney Skott and can be found on her website: Courtney Skott. 

Detachable Cork trivets found at vivavi.com

For a more "do-it-yourself" wall application, these decals from Modern Wall Graphics are perfect.

EazyWallz also makes large format wall stickers (for all you apartment dwellers who can't install wallpaper, like myself).