MOTIF

Set to 10 different clues across 17 published puzzles, most often “Recurring theme” — The New York Times, Tuesday, 8 April 2003.

5 letters

Every clue on record, most used first

Recurring theme4 times
The New York Times — Tuesday, 8 April 2003
Theme3 times
The New York Times — Monday, 2 May 2011
Interior decorator's concern2 times
The New York Times — Saturday, 12 February 2011
Wallpaper design2 times
The New York Times — Sunday, 11 December 2005
Recurring melodyonce
The New York Times — Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Interior designer's creationonce
The New York Times — Friday, 6 June 2008
Unifying themeonce
The New York Times — Thursday, 27 May 2004
Recurring subjectonce
The New York Times — Thursday, 7 May 1998
Recurrent melodyonce
The New York Times — Sunday, 22 January 1995
Patternonce
The New York Times — Wednesday, 9 March 1994