If you could splurge on one thing in a room what would it be? For me it would be fabric. Layering a room with amazing neutral fabrics sets the tone and gives you something to build on. It can be tempting to follow the latest trends, but over the years I have found going neutral for the big ticket items pays off. Here’s a look at my favorite French farmhouse fabrics.
Recently a friend messaged me about two chairs left on the curb down the street from her. Bless her. Better yet, bless her husband, he wrangled them off the curb for me. I already have wing back chairs that got a makeover last year, but I wanted a change and thought these would be perfect. They are sturdy old Lazy Boys! As I hunted on-line for fabric I thought you guys might want to see some of the options I came across. (Nervous about buying fabric online? I have a few tips here)
My goal for these curbside chairs was to re-cover them in a classic neutral that would allow me to throw in seasonal pillows, trendy fabrics or nothing at all and still look great. My incredibly talented mom had the huge undertaking of re-covering these chairs, that just so happened to be recliners! She had never tackled a recliner before and I am not sure she ever will again. Thanks MOM!
This is a list of go to fabric I have used in my homes over the years and will for more to come. I have either personally used these OR they are on the top of my wish list. Here is a brief reason I love each one and a few ideas about where to put them to work. (Please note these are affiliate links*!)
The Best French Farmhouse Fabrics
Check: This is the exact fabric I used to recover these chairs. I felt it was fresh and young. My kids predominately hang out in this room so I wanted something fun but basic. Check fabric in the right color never goes out of style and is easy to blend with anything from Christmas décor to cheeky typography pillows.
Toile: I adore toile. Plain and simple. It is the epitome of classic French farmhouse and once again…timeless. This fabric was on my wingbacks two makeovers ago and I am still not quite sure why I moved on. Probably because they had to much life lived on top of them and had reached the beyond cleaning realm. It’s gorgeous for pillows, curtains, or accent chairs.
Ticking: You can find ticking in a variety of basic colors and widths. It is excellent for layering. A whole couch draped in it, bedding or slipcovered dining room chairs would all be fabulous.
Broad Stripes: Tone on tone stripes add interest without being overpowering. It’s a subtle way to add texture to a room without drawing attention. Our master bedroom has a similar fabric used for the bed skirt. It would look stunning for long drapes or a fun table runner.
Neutral Pattern: A neutral pattern is great to use, but personally I would infuse in small doses. Ideal for pillows or window toppers, again the neutral layered colors add a special spark without demanding all eyes on them.
Damask: One of the best patterns made in my opinion. It’s classic and classy. You can find a wide range of neutral colors to fit your color palette. Use on anything that will stand still.
Denim: Sounds crazy, but white denim is one of my favorite neutrals! It is sturdy, withstanding wear and tear AND it washes well. Great for high traffic places and slipcovered items you need to throw in the washer frequently.
Burlap: Burlap has been a decorating staple of mine for the last fourteen years or so. I used it first for a bedskirt and next curtains. I believe it is a cost effective neutral that is here to stay. Break away from the traditional tans and browns to the whites and greys for a fresh look. Bedskirts, tablecloths, pillows…the possabilities are endless with this one!
Now that these roadside recliners have received a fresh facelift my kids think they hit the jackpot! You should see my oldest son lounged out in his recliner. Where men just made to recline or what? Their life has been threatened should they even think about eating while lounging…my mom can’t take another re-upholstery project! I hope this lists narrows down some selections the next time you are looking to add fabric to your home. Be sure to pin it so you have it when you need it! Now tell me…which one is your favorite? Did I forget a great basic? Let me know so I can add it to the list
Love, love your checked chair! Pinning this to remember.
Thank you Stacey!!!
Thanks for a great post. I love all the fabrics but I guess my favorites would be the toile and damask, never can decide which of the two I like the most. Then like the burlap and ticking to go with them.
Blessings,
Candy
Sounds like we like the same things 😉
What a great find. The chairs are darling! What a wonderful Mom….can I borrow her?
She is pretty awesome!
LOVE!
THANK YOU for the chairs!!!!
Very professional job! How about adding another design to your choices? Going for the French Country look in my apartment so I used a lovely fabric for slipcovers that had French words written across it. (Black and white)
Yes – that would be a fun fabric. I have seen what you are talking about, I bet it looks lovely in your home! Thank you for sharing!
I love those chairs in that fabric. Buffalo check is one of my favorites.
I have such a crush on it right now too!
I agree and love your chairs.
Thank you Marlene
I love the buffalo check! I just bought some pillow covers in gray buffalo check, but I’m loving your black even more. And kudos to your mom for the upholstery job, they look fantastic 🙂
Thanks – mom is super talented!!!
Have to say..the chairs look AWESOME! They just sit so well in the room. Large checked gingham would not have even entered my head, yet it looks great. No wonder the teens love it! 🙂 An well done to your Mum….she has accomplished lovely work on the chairs. I know how time consuming a basic lounge chair is to cover, let alone a recliner! 🙂
thank you – It’s a great pattern and I think would look good just about anywhere!
The chairs are great. I love the fabric, and your mom did such a beautiful job!! What a lucky find!!!
They are a great find, love friends that will shop the curb for me and my mom is crazy talented, so thankful for her gifts!
My favorite is the black and white check. Thanks so much for sharing!!
me too 🙂 but you can’t beat a good neutral!
I love neutral fabrics with lots of texture so I adore burlap but I also love velvets. Imagine a chair covered with natural burlap & dark bronze studs and then a dark gray velvet pillow. That’s me. I do think damask is pretty but I feel comfortable with natural fabrics.
gorgeous. Velvet is amazing, especially a textured velvet!!!
I am trying to find a chair like this. Can you help.
Unfortunately this was a roadside find made over! I haven’t seen one like it, but I will let you know if I do!
Hi Kim. I’ve tried to see the exact check fabric but it won’t let me. I’ve searched and searched for a fabric like this but can’t find one.
let me update the links, it is so frustrating, when they sell out it changes!!! I will let you know when I find it again!
so sorry!!!
Please can you let me know where I can find the fabric in the bottom left. I saw this on Pinterest and it’s perfect for the farmhouse chairs I want to recover. Thank you!!
HI Melissa – this fabric is from JOann and if you go to this link then you can look through and find one. They may not still have the exact fabric but there are many similar ones! I hope that helps and it will look fabulous! https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=HmIfXwrPXSk&mid=43312&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joann.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Ddamask