Does it seem like once you notice something particular, you see it everywhere?

I've long been a fan of On The Street, a photo essay in The New York Times' Sunday Styles section. Bill Cunningham has the enviable job of tooting all over New York City photographing fashion trends. One week he'll capture images of 40 people wearing huge, drapey scarves and another week he'll find everyone in puffy, white down jackets. Recently Cunningham was on the trail for Lady Gaga look-alikes and shot 36 photographs of teenagers in goofy outfits.

I feel a bit like Cunningham but instead of "Gaga Garb," I'm seeing gingham.

The down-home, classic gingham has gone haute. Gingham dresses, lampshades, plates and pillows were pictured in the Trend Alert department of Elle Decor (July/August 2010). I saw more gingham in a French magazine and gingham ribbon in another. Vogue (July 2010) chimed in with its feature of Marion Cotillard modeling a gingham vintage bikini.

I couldn't get away from gingham! My husband, Jerry, and I took a few days off and stayed in our favorite summer cabin at Burntside Lodge just outside Ely, Minnesota. Lonnie LaMontagne has exquisite taste and the simple but beautifully furnished rooms had gingham curtains—burgundy in the main room and black-and-white checked in the bedroom.

Well, it was high time to add a little gingham to my decor. I tied a fresh bow of blue-and-white checked ribbon around the neck of the Black Dog--my official welcome sign.