Mad for Plaid....and its not just a fad! New house updates!

Thank goodness its Friday......who got up at 4am? Not me, I will confess though I did get up at my usual 6am and its been fun seeing all the royal festivities go down, I cannot lie. No one and I mean no one has the pomp and circumstance down pat like the British.....Kate makes a beautiful bride (but I cannot lie that the ultimate princess was Diana and that dress that Diana wore...oh my gosh that dress..don't get me started, was that the dreamiest concoction you have ever laid your eyes on, I mean yes I know it didn't look very comfortable with the football fields of dupioni silk and crinoline but my lord was it spectacular!!!  I truly hope Kate and William will have a lifetime  of laughter, happiness and mostly friendship, and that they will grow old together. They look genuinely in love and that's a beautiful thing.

I promised a mini house update....its not a major one, but some exciting things are happening as in bathrooms, yes the very ones that have kept me up at nights, had me drinking that extra glass (or two) of wine, you get the picture but you know what? SO worth it! So here are some recent pics from the house front:

Breakfast room bay woodworking underway!

The beams are quite an undertaking!

Family room has turned into a makeshift wood makers shop

Another view

Some of the elevations for family room

Samples of the plaster moldings for dining room, we are down to the decision making stage

Close up

Sample of a very dusty parquet square

Finished beams ready for the finishing stage

Guest bath, very dusty...but its white marble and ming green..

Basketweave, a timeless classic

A closeup

Sons bathroom...they finished the herringbone, we are waiting for the rest of the border

Almost done!

Final stages........

The long awaited hubby's bath...LOVE it!

Close up....

The workmanship is amazing (New Ravenna)

And not to be outdone....the floor I have been waiting for has now arrived!!

My bathroom room floor

Awaits installation...can hardly wait!

I love scalloping......this is Calacutta gold....isn't it pretty?

The boxes await the installer......

Moving onto today's post........So, what do you think about plaid? Well, put all your plaid prejudices aside and keep an open mind. I have to admit I have not always been a huge fan. I mean I have seen them work successfully, but aside from seeing them look picture perfect in Ralph Lauren showrooms and ads, I am not much of a plaid aficionado, lets just say. However in the many hours I spend pouring through my mini bookstore of decorating books and magazines, and of course the vast endless web resources...I have actually discovered that plaid has come a long long way from its country roots and has made its way into some pretty sophisticated glamorous spaces. Plaid is used on walls, floors, draperies, beds, headboards, pillows and accents of every kind you can imagine....and in virtually in every color you can think of. Plaid is really growing on me and can actually be an interesting print in a room. So without further ado, here is my argument for plaid...would love to know, as always what you think! Would you, could you or do you use plaid?

This makes one heck of a strong argument for plaid! Kathleen Rivers

Love the soft gold plaid silk here...very sophisticated, Diane Burns

Michael S Smith works patterns so well as evidenced here, by using plaid panels with many patterns in this elegant drawing room

This bedroom gets a  masculine touch from the dark plaid, Elle Decor 

A simple plaid chair gives a lot of punch to an otherwise very traditional room, Traditional Home

Plaid is added to enhance a pretty traditional powder room, Veranda

Michael S. Smith successfully chose what I would think of as a county-ish looking plaid for a very sophisticated looking living room and it works beautifully

Somehow the wild mix of plaids, colors and prints works well here, in a country kind of way Country Living

Plaid walls and plaid drapes give "Ralph's" study a rich and masculine vibe

The bold plaid pillows here are the main source of pattern in this media room, Sherill Canet

Plaid in a wood floor? Why not! Ned Marshall

I like the punch of color and patten that the royal blue plaid on the headboard and chair gives this room, Country Living

Even on something as simple as a shower curtain..it can be that little something extra! Fern Santini

Jeff Lincoln mixes a floral from Scalamndre and a lively green plaid

Gorgeous, crisp and clean, Tom Stringer

Elegant rustic country chic plaid, love this space Rinfret Designs

Nancy Boszhardt slipcovered these pretty chairs in this elegant dining room with a red plaid, I like the scalloped bottom detailing....

Proof that plaid is not just a traditional thing! Colin and Justin

This neutral living room gets a pair of bold plaid chairs for contrast, David Mitchell

An assortment of soft plaid pillows adds a little extra punch to this neutral setting, House to home

What a mix! The aqua plaid chairs with the botanical leaf wallpaper..but it works! Sarah Richardson

I like the idea of mixing plaids with other prints for outside, to keep it fresh and lively

Love how the plaid rug anchors the room here, Sherill Canet

Fern Santini shows how sophisticated plaid can be with these gorgeous silk plaid drapes

Is there any name more synonymous with plaid than Ralph Lauren? I don't think so.

Love the plaid accent for this fun and cozy sleeping nook, Kristin Panitch

Love the accent that the plaid navy and white loveseat gives this beautiful space, Marshall Watson

Boszhardt

Anne Miller chose to add blue plaid shades to this elegant kitchen for extra charm

This sweet styled Swedish bedroom is mad for plaid, Katrin Cargill and Carol Glasser

Tobi Farley used handsome plaid duvets on these beds in this masculine feeling bedroom

Love this room! Paolo Moschino used a plaid linen in a neutral fabric for these beautiful European looking chairs in this beautiful dining room

A soft neutral plaid was chosen for this light filled home office, Better home and gardens

Love how Diane Burns so beautifully used plaid and a solid in this gorgeous bedroom

A modern twist on an old classic, soft colors make this soft and serene

Sarah Richardson mixed plaid upholstery pieces with solids to make a beautiful room

Windsor Smith used handsome plaid panels here for this cozy dining nook

How about using stone to create plaid floors in a kitchen! Kind of fun!

Ellen O'Neil designed this country guest room in plaids using red and white...cozy!

I like the way this lively plaid rug lives up this bright cheery sunroom, T. Keller Donovan

Love the soft muted colors in Thibaut's plaid wallpaper

Somehow plaid always looks awfully cozy next to a fire....Southern Living

Gideon Mindelson shows how to mix plaids and florals successfully as shown here

Samantha Pynn chose a bold black and white plaid for this fun dressing room

HGTV went warm and toasty in this head to toe plaid guest room!

An old world mix of toiles and plaid work beautifully here in this darling guest room

Sometimes a small accent of plaid is just enough, Elle Decor

Victoria Hagan went understated in this room except for a open fielded plaid rug....adds a little pattern to an otherwise simple room

Well.....what do you think about plaid? Do you have it now in your own home? If not is it something you would or could see yourself using? I am not so sure for myself if I will be using plaid  on more than just accent pillows and an ottoman or two, (and I love plaids on those) and maybe a loveseat in a library or family room.....who knows! Would love to know what your thoughts are! Happy Friday!