Why Tartan?
So glad you asked (or at least are willing to read) about why we chose this name.
A tartan is a specific type of pattern, generally associated with Scotland and Scottish heritage. All tartans are identical vertically and horizontally, with the stripes meeting at exactly 90 degree angles (bliss to an organizer) and are guided by super specific codes on color and thread counts (known as “setts”). All tartans are easily recognized as tartan, but the variations are unique to each purpose and instantly recognizable as distinct.
Our approach is similar: we use an outline of tried-and-true best practices and a systematic approach to organizing for each project, but ultimately we tweak and customize our work to exactly fit each client's space, needs, and personality.
The image for this blog post and the inspiration behind our logo is a tartan design created just for us by Aaron Canipe. We got to know Aaron’s design prowess firsthand at Reynolda House. When we engaged him for help with our logo and explained the company name, he ran with it. The result is our navy-poppy-and-cornflower dream.
And for the truly interested…
For lovers of metaphors, I am willing to really stretch this one out, especially over a glass of spicy red wine. In the meantime, a few fun links and points to consider:
Enjoy this addicting tartan designer. Goodbye, several hours.
We have a tartan museum in North Carolina! This is not surprising given the many ties between Scotland and NC. We even have our own official Carolina Tartan.
I love perusing the very serious Scottish Register of Tartans. Start here with their FAQs for a good time.
This marvelous blog post covers the history of tartan and important differences between tartan, plaid, and tweed. Because you must be curious.
Last and best, enjoy these lessons in how to wear tartan:
A history of Alexander McQueen and Tartan (from the Met Blog)
Naomi Campbell having all of the fun and Kate Moss having a medium amount of fun in Vivienne Westwood Lochcarron of Scotland (1993). The 90s were good for tartan, weren’t they?
A top-notch iconic tartan look from SJP and Alexander McQueen from the 2006 Met Ball.
Rihanna in tartan is always sublime (here in Christian Dior Fall 2019).
Blake Lively taking risks and making it work (multiple tartans! fringe tartan! boot tartan! a Ryan Reynolds clutch!). I’ve seen this look called “too much,” which is obviously incorrect. It’s just right.
HRH the Duchess of Cambridge in tartan: nice, festive, lovely, well done, bumpin’.