From a classic tartan to a modern checkerboard to a punky plaid, there is something undeniably alluring about a checked pattern. This simple, yet impactful print is the perfect addition to the dining room, where it adds weight and whimsy. For proof, look no further than Goldie Hawn's dining room.
The actress took to Instagram to share a silly photo posing on the dining table of her Pacific Palisades home. Goldie's dining room idea centers on a black-and-white checkered Mackenzie Childs made-to-order furnishing, surrounded by spotted, fish-decorated chairs from the same brand.
To create a contrast, the rest of the room is simple, featuring white curtains, wood floors, and a classic crystal chandelier. Her design demonstrates the elevated impact this understated pattern can have when used correctly.
Goldie's furniture brand of choice, Mackenzie Childs, is known for their high-brow checkered patterns, but that is not the only place this print can be found. Interior designers swear by the classic pattern as a worthy opponent to the stripe for a print that adds visual interest without overwhelming a space, and use it on floors, fabrics, and furnishings. Thus, Homes & Gardens sat down with the experts to learn why check print works every time, and how to decorate with the pattern in 2026.
We've also curated an edit of our favorite checked pieces to help you recreate Goldie's look in any dining room. We will begin with a sneak peek into Goldie's Los Angeles home.
Shop Goldie's Checkered Look
Goldie adds whimsy to her dining room with fish-shaped chairs. These gorgeous shimmery ones are the same as hers with a silver finish.
This made to order dining table is an exact match for the stylish, checkered Mackenzie-Childs style in Goldie Hawn's dining room. It is replete with details and fashioned of linoleum tile and cherry moulding for an heirloom piece you'll never want to retire.
Inject some vintage-inspired charm into your kitchen with this handsome canister; I love the intricate gold detailing and the decorative glass knob.
Sterling Check is one of my favorite MacKenzie-Childs colorways, and I adore this set; I'd gladly add it to my collection of country grandmother-inspired tableware.
This handsome toaster is sure to invite plenty of compliments from your guests. I love the subtle MacKenzie-Childs branding in the center.
Who doesn't love a hint of cherry? I'd be skipping out of bed to make my morning brew if I owned this gorgeous kettle.
First, why does a check print work everywhere? Gladys Schanstra of Drury Design explains: 'A black and white checkered pattern adds visual texture to a dining room or any other space. Dining rooms tend to be closed spaces with two or three walls, generally. And when you have a space that is defined like that, a checkered pattern can create an almost framed palette that can really enhance the walls. A checkered tile floor can even anchor the room based on the rest of the furniture and other accessories that you have in there.'
As we can see in Goldie's fun yet traditional dining room, part of the check's appeal is its enduring versatility.
Andrea Sinkin, principal designer at Andrea Sinkin Design, states: 'Black and white checkerboard can read traditional if it’s more of a buffalo check or it can read more farmhouse chic, but it can also read quite Modern. It just depends on how you’re using it and if the pattern has any fade-in or fade-out layering. Adding in a few black accents will make it feel more grounded.'
Goldie's furniture has a few different patterns mixed in with the striped legs of the table and the polka dots on the chair. No matter where you are decorating with a checkerboard pattern, it makes sense to mix it with other patterns. Gladys says: 'It's fun mixing patterns. Think about visual texture. Patterns definitely bring that. Colors will too. And so if you have the black and white flooring, consider rugs. Your checkerboard pattern could be on the material of the dining table. It doesn't always have to be the floor. It could be the wallpaper, the ceiling, the walls, or whatever furniture, hutch, or built-ins that you might have. Your artwork could also be very bold. Those types of textures just really create focal points. If it's a subtle texture and it's throughout all the walls, it could maybe tone down the color or the whiteness of it if it's just totally white. So you can use texture not just for tactile purposes, but definitely for visual impact.'
Though check is available in a variety of colors, black and white is the most classic option. Gladys explains: 'It's very neutral. It's black and white. But it gives you almost that sepia tone.' We see this impact in Goldie's dining room, where the dining table surface is bold, but simultaneously blends in with the rest of the design.
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