I Always Thought Plaid Was Old-Fashioned Until I Saw Kendall Jenner’s Living Room – She Makes a Classic Print Feel Totally Modern

Kendall's rustic retreat showcases a surprising fabric choice that I can't stop thinking about – her plaid armchairs are an unexpected delight

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Kendall Jenner
(Image credit: Future / Stefania M. D'Alessandro via Getty Images for Gucci)

I'll never shy away from a richly-patterned living room, but it has to be said: I'm a little unsure of how to decorate with plaid. While it's a timeless print, it can feel difficult to incorporate into more contemporary schemes – but Kendall Jenner's gorgeous home has shown me exactly how it's done.

Brought to life by acclaimed designer Heidi Callier, Kendall's rural retreat is a feast of plush fabrics and bold patterns – including a set of plaid armchairs, which take pride of place in the living area. Standing opposite a magnificent floral couch, the chairs could feel like an afterthought, but they're quite the opposite. In fact, they jumped out at me immediately, and I'm determined to recreate the look.

Shop The Kendall Jenner-Inspired Plaid Edit

While the Tartan decor trend has been proved enduringly popular, brightly-colored alternatives have begun to dominate the interior design world. I'm usually more inclined to choose gingham decor over plaid, or opt for a more whimsical take on the look. (Greenrow's yellow plaid ruffle pillow cover has been on my wish list for months.)

Yet Kendall's cozy living room is a reminder that, even as decorating with maximalism becomes more prominent, time-honored prints aren't going anywhere. I might have once associated them with British country estates (or the Christmas decorations from my childhood), but Kendall proves that plaid can fit seamlessly into a modern design scheme.

Plus, if you're familiar with the Ralph Lauren aesthetic, you'll know that traditional plaid has, in fact, been making a comeback. It's an evolution of the quiet luxury trend, using rich fabrics and timeless patterns to create sumptuous spaces.

In Kendall's home, I'd say that the plaid chairs even go beyond the notion of quiet luxury, serving as a symbol of warmth and effortless comfort. Paired with a set of heavy taupe curtains, a rustic wood coffee table, and a scalloped floor lamp, they feel subtly nostalgic, enviably cozy, and undeniably sophisticated.

The living space is the heart of Kendall Jenner's mountain home, and the sprawling sofa (which is covered with floral fabric from Lee Jofa, an esteemed textile brand dating back to the 19th century) often steals the spotlight. In my view, however, the plaid chairs are just as striking – upon first glance, they feel like an unexpected choice, but the room wouldn't be nearly as inviting without them.

Plaid and florals might veer a little too far into 'grandma chic', but Kendall maintains a fresh, contemporary look. Awash with wood accents, the space feels instantly grounded, with the deeper tones of the plaid balancing out the chintzy vibe of the couch. It's a risky combination, but it doesn't feel clichéd.

If, like me, you worry that plaid might look dated, designers are quick to praise its versatility and timelessness.

'Plaid is one of those patterns that almost always works, whether a space leans traditional, rustic, or modern,' explains Peggy Haddad, designer and founder of Peggy Haddad Interiors. 'It's graphic without being loud, which makes it especially ideal for layering, since it grounds the room rather than competing.'

Here, for example, plaid provides both balance and dimension.

'In spaces like Kendall's living room, plaid really earns its keep,' says Peggy. 'It layers easily, feels timeless, and brings far more character than a flat solid ever could.'

I might have been apprehensive about this heritage print, but Kendall showed me that traditional fabrics like plaid can still make a statement. In fact, it really is a designer's secret weapon when it comes to rich, layered schemes – and it's the perfect way to combine sophistication with a touch of whimsy.

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Martha Davies
Martha Davies
Content Editor

Martha is a Content Editor on the Living team at Homes & Gardens. Her love for lifestyle journalism began when she interned at Time Out Dubai when she was 15 years old; she went on to study English and German at Oxford, before covering property and interior design at Country & Town House magazine. To Martha, living beautifully is all about good food and lots of colorful home decor.