The Stunning Vintage Fabric That Adds An Elegant Touch To Any Upholstery Project

Using vintage fabric to upgrade furniture you already have for a new look isn't just incredibly elegant and bespoke, but it is also sustainable and clever. You could reuse old curtains, tablecloths, and quilts, or simply buy bolts and yards of vintage material to re-upholster anything from footstools to entire couches. Used or drab pieces that would never have fit your décor before can suddenly become showpieces. What's more, by buying used, you may even score some great finds from high-quality brands at affordable prices, granting you the kind of durability and luxury you would've had to break the bank for if you were shopping new. 

One textile manufacturer to look out for is the French Maison Pierre Frey, which has been producing sublime, world-renowned fabrics since 1935. Of course, Pierre Frey is considered a luxury company, so even their second-hand products cost a pretty penny. However, with a bit of luck and persistence, you could find some gems. You can try to spot valuable, high-end items like Pierre Frey fabrics at thrift stores, estate sales, and vintage fairs, but you'll be a lot more successful if you seek out specialized sellers, online or otherwise. 

Whether you just want to be better informed when choosing upholstery fabric at your favorite local vendor or specifically hunting for Pierre Frey products, the first step to a successful haul is familiarizing yourself with the brand. Pierre Frey has produced over a thousand different fabrics across its 90-year history, but there are a few patterns that have enjoyed exceptional popularity and, therefore, might be more commonly found out in the wild.

The snazzy Toile De Nantes cotton fabric was widely beloved in the 1990s, and has recently experienced a renaissance as interior design trends began moving away from colorless minimalism. Its blurry, kaleidoscopic appearance owes itself to an ancient Southeast Asian resist dyeing technique called ikat. For something more hard-wearing, you may very well stumble upon the cross-woven viscose Croisé Collobrières fabric, Pierre Frey's best seller, which has been around for over 50 years. Other examples to keep in mind include the royal-looking Beaufort, which is the company's signature plain fabric, and the Botanique, a fern garden fantasy pattern designed by Germaine Midy in 1955 that was a hit in the U.S at the time.

Venturing into eBay and Etsy in search of vintage pieces can be hit and miss, though. Fabrics can arrive damaged, washed out, and nothing like they looked in the picture. Finding trustworthy sellers can save you time, money, and energy. Some of the highest rated vintage fabric suppliers on Etsy that have featured Pierre Frey pieces in their collection in the past are TheTextileTrunk, LadyVirginiaVintage, PiaThreads, and Chateaufelicien. For other accounts that specialize in French textiles, try starchedandcrumpled on Instagram or claudiabarber, also on Etsy.