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Home » Home Decor » 8 Neutral French Farmhouse Fabrics

Home Decor

8 Neutral French Farmhouse Fabrics

This post may contain affiliate links.

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.The best classic neutral French farmhouse fabrics for decorating!

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)These curbside chairs got a fresh makeover in a classic plaid.

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!The best classic neutral French farmhouse fabrics for decorating!
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.The best classic neutral French farmhouse fabrics for decorating!
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.plaid-chairs-best-neutral-french-fabrics-for-decorating-1

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.The best classic neutral French farmhouse fabrics for decorating!

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

Blessings, Kim from Hunt & HostConnect more here:

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30 Comments

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Comments

  1. Stacey says

    September 2, 2016 at 7:08 AM

    Love, love your checked chair! Pinning this to remember.

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      September 2, 2016 at 9:08 AM

      Thank you Stacey!!!

      Reply
  2. Candy says

    September 2, 2016 at 8:00 AM

    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

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      September 2, 2016 at 9:07 AM

      Sounds like we like the same things 😉

      Reply
  3. toniflash says

    September 2, 2016 at 9:38 AM

    What a great find. The chairs are darling! What a wonderful Mom….can I borrow her?

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      September 2, 2016 at 5:27 PM

      She is pretty awesome!

      Reply
  4. cindybmunson says

    September 2, 2016 at 10:38 AM

    LOVE!

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      September 2, 2016 at 5:27 PM

      THANK YOU for the chairs!!!!

      Reply
  5. BJ says

    September 2, 2016 at 11:33 AM

    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)

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      September 3, 2016 at 1:55 PM

      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!

      Reply
  6. Bonnie says

    September 2, 2016 at 12:47 PM

    I love those chairs in that fabric. Buffalo check is one of my favorites.

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      September 2, 2016 at 5:29 PM

      I have such a crush on it right now too!

      Reply
  7. Marlene Stephenson says

    September 2, 2016 at 12:50 PM

    I agree and love your chairs.

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      September 2, 2016 at 5:29 PM

      Thank you Marlene

      Reply
  8. melaniealexander says

    September 5, 2016 at 8:30 PM

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      September 6, 2016 at 9:46 PM

      Thanks – mom is super talented!!!

      Reply
  9. Ann Marie says

    January 13, 2017 at 1:42 AM

    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! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      January 13, 2017 at 10:01 AM

      thank you – It’s a great pattern and I think would look good just about anywhere!

      Reply
  10. Dianne Lanier says

    July 17, 2017 at 4:13 PM

    The chairs are great. I love the fabric, and your mom did such a beautiful job!! What a lucky find!!!

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      July 18, 2017 at 7:25 AM

      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!

      Reply
  11. Sandra says

    July 18, 2017 at 7:49 AM

    My favorite is the black and white check. Thanks so much for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      July 26, 2017 at 10:05 AM

      me too 🙂 but you can’t beat a good neutral!

      Reply
  12. Christine says

    July 18, 2017 at 6:32 PM

    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.

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      July 26, 2017 at 10:08 AM

      gorgeous. Velvet is amazing, especially a textured velvet!!!

      Reply
  13. Michael J Larkin says

    July 26, 2017 at 7:12 PM

    I am trying to find a chair like this. Can you help.

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      July 28, 2017 at 2:36 PM

      Unfortunately this was a roadside find made over! I haven’t seen one like it, but I will let you know if I do!

      Reply
  14. Nikki says

    April 20, 2018 at 6:08 PM

    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.

    Reply
    • Kim at Hunt and Host says

      April 21, 2018 at 9:23 AM

      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!!!

      Reply
  15. Melissa Maer says

    June 2, 2020 at 12:40 PM

    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!!

    Reply
    • Kim at Salvaged Living says

      June 2, 2020 at 2:47 PM

      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

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Kim. I believe getting your hands dirty can be a way to get your heart clean. This blog is a decorating and DIY guide to seeing God in the details of your day, hobby and home. Read more...

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