Urban Outfitters’ Union Jack tapestry: Too cool for back-to-school

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Freedom. Frat parties. First apartments. College students have so many reasons to be grateful. So do those of us who’ve already graduated. Over the last decade, designers have dazzled the campus crowd with high-impact, low-cost furnishings. In the coming weeks, we’ll feature those we’d happily have in our own homes.

Exhibit A: Urban Outfitters’ Union Jack tapestry is big enough (108 by 90 inches) to dress a bed, near right, or a wall, far right. I’m thinking of hanging them as window treatments with clip-on curtain rings. The British flag pattern is traditional yet punk, and as trendy as it gets. Designers Vivienne Westwood and Dan Marty use it for rugs and upholstery, and a gang of Etsy crafters are turning the Union Jack into posh pillows.

The Urban Outfitters price couldn’t be sweeter: Once $36, it is now sold online only for $19.99.

-- David A. Keeps