CHINTZ & CHECK From varying scale to adding trims, play with classic prints.

Woodhouse Check bow, Navy, £48, Tori Murphy Curtain Fuchsia, Silver/ Leaf, £95; Chair Minack Check, Green, £78; Cushion, Jay Check, Green, £83 a metre, all Colefax and Fowler Josie’s Blush Gingham side plate, £8.99, Katie Alice

Cottage Garden quilt, Diamond Velvet, £660, Velvet Linen

Society of Wanderers Lavender Fizz Full Ruffle cushion cover, £49, Antipodream

The Avery armchair, £6,180 plus fabric, Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler

Pleated Check lampshade, Green, from £67; Lattice Rattan lamp, £175, both Birdie Fortescue

CHINTZ & CHECK

Two stalwarts of the English country house, chintzes and checks, are also perfect partners. The rhythmic structure of a pretty gingham harmonises with the loose freedom of florals. Both offer a romantic, feminine feel that can be fully embraced in a palette of pastels and fresh whites and are so classic that the look is not overly dainty; it is soft, pleasing and has come to be expected in a country home. While ruffles, bows and flounces heighten the romance, modernity can be infused by playing with scale - a large check looks rather striking and contemporary, and a ditsy print quite chic.

Small Dash Dot Blue Pink flower pot, £54, The Mews

Sibyl Chintz tablecloth, from £104; Set of four Pistachio Gingham Ruffle linen placemats and napkins, £208, and all tableware, Mrs Alice

Abby Rose 4 collection wallpapers, £38.95 a roll, Galerie Home

Great Check window seat, from £2,560, Salvesen Graham