SCOTTISH-INSPIRED INTERIORS

Scottish-Inspired Interiors

Incorporating different tartans is a great way to add Scottish design trends and personality to your home. Tartan patterns are thought to date back to the early medieval ages in Scotland and the plaid wool fabric signified different regional Scottish clans and families. For a bold Scottish flair, choose full tartan upholstered furniture like a fabric sofa, lounge chair or ottoman in a tartan pattern. Red Stewart or Black Watch tartans work well for rich upholstery with a colour that pops. Lightweight Scottish cashmere or wool tartan throws make cosy accents draped over sofas, armchairs and beds or for small hits of tartan pattern, arrange decorative pillows in different Scottish tartan plaids on sofas or beds. Mix up the sizes and shapes of the pillows with lumbar pillows, scatter cushions or simple squares to display the different tartan patterns. A bold tartan rug under a console or dining table also makes a fun focal point or a vibrant Scottish tartan wallpaper mural or wallpaper borders can work as focal accent walls in rooms.

For the classic, brooding Scottish castle look, choose substantial, ornate furniture made from rich dark woods like mahogany, walnut or oak. For a more rustic highland aesthetic, you could add more rugged furnishings made from untreated oak or pine woods. Leather upholstery also fits well for either castles or highlands inspiration, especially deep reddish-browns and leather-tufted patterns. Iron and antler chandeliers and sconces have a definite Scottish castle vibe so I would recommend using ones with ornate metal flourishes or stag motifs. For the highlands style, go for simpler shapes like wrought iron candelabras or natural branch lights. For that full-on Scottish castle vibe, display items like swords, shields, bagpipes, hunting horns and taxidermy stag heads or add intricate Celtic-designed items like candlesticks, bookends and frames. For Highland inspiration, use more raw, organic accessories from iron, wood, bone, stone and leather materials.



Using classic woollen tweed fabrics is another way to channel Scottish interior style. For a traditional gentleman's study look, choose hearty Scottish tweed upholstery on a leather armchair or lounge sofa. Checks, herringbones and flecked tweed patterns look smart and you could add texture with lumber pillows covered in wool tweed fabrics placed on living room seating. I would recommend using muted tones like tan or grey mixed with bolder red and green plaids. Grand statement ottomans or storage pouffes upholstered in thick panels of Scottish tweed make fun casual seating to place around your living room. Tweed also works well as a material for rugs so layer natural jute or wool with grey or brown tweed checks under seating areas to define spaces with Scottish flair.