Plaid has been a hot accessory on the catwalk for the 2nd year running - and home furnishings are taking note. Technically speaking, plaid is the Scottish word for blanket -- while the pattern on the plaid is a tartan. Here in the States, a plaid is any design composed of a planned series of vertical and horizontal stripes or bars that intersect at right angles. Regardless we plaid is in and below are some examples of how plaid can make a statement in any room, from very subtle to not at all!

The Cork Mosaic Sideboard is an eco-friendly cabinet from Iannone Design. This designer uses a variety of cork textures and colors to create a warm-toned plaid graphic. The cabinet has touch release doors and a hand applied non toxic oil finish. The walnut veneer and solid walnut base are both of formaldehyde free walnut.

Far more bold is Thomas Wold's 2009 custom plaid buffet. His inspiration? The San Francisco-based designer loved the look of marquetry and sought to recreate the blend of colors caused from a weave. Using squares of plastic laminate that touched one another he carefully placed hues that looked like the mix of two overlapping colors. He acknowledges that both the color and the pattern are bold -- but more importantly, fun.

"I look at furniture as sculptures and collectibles. Like art, they don't need to match (other items in the room)," explained Wold, a San Francisco-based furniture designer who taps his inner artist when creating products. "Everything has to be functional for sure, since it is taking up so much room," he added, "but I try to push, or instill, playfulness. It depends on the project to see how far I could go. With the plaid -- you either like it or you don't."

Amsterdam designers Stefan Scholten and Carole Baijings have created dramatic and colorful pillows and throws for Thomas Eyck. Made of merlino wool the color combos look like Spring in the Dutch countryside: yellow & purples, yellows & fuschias, purples & blues. A more subtle on fields of white are also available. Each piece is a definite focal points. Each piece of fabric

These are luxurious -- with a pricetag to go along. Pillows are around $600 -- and the small throw start at $900 (large enough to cover a twin bed). Available at Modern Child.

Designer Karen Harris created this area rug for Momeni. Borrowed from the De Stijl period, Harrs creates a subtle plain on a sand background -- and has created a high-contrast plaid rug as well.

Momeni's rugs are all 100% wool and available in rounds, rectangles and runners, also has more tartan-styled area rugs. Affordably priced starting at $500.