Chintz is a printed cotton fabric with a glazed finish and multicolored patterns. The term originally applied only to textiles, used for upholstery, curtains and clothing. Today, it refers as well to the fabric’s characteristic floral patterns, seen in such decorative elements as wallpaper. The heavily saturated designs are most often composed of natural motifs, such as flowers and leaves.
Chintz fabric originated in India. The word chintz comes from the Hindi chint, which means “spotted.” Between 1600 and 1800, chintz was woodblock printed or painted on calico, a cotton fabric originating in Calicut. The dyes used were made from plant pigments, which produced vibrant colors. Thanks in part to innovations introduced during the Industrial Revolution, by the mid-1800s, European factories were producing their own chintz fabric. Victorians appreciated that the glazed finish made it easy to wipe clean.
While the 1990s saw major pushback against the 1980s chintz craze, it has rebounded of late. No longer considered “chintzy,” the fabric is again embraced by designers for its decorative patterns and bold colors. This is thanks in part to the maximalism that has taken the design world by storm. Reacting against minimalism, the style celebrates exuberance, displayed in the mixing of textures and patterns. Chintz fits right in.
Chintz curtains, furniture upholstery and decorative pillows can all make statements with their vibrant floral prints. A touch of chintz can set the mood of a room, introducing a colorful, soft and traditional nuance to a contemporary space.
Find rugs and carpets, seating, lighting and more in the floral chintz collection on 1stDibs.
Dunbar 'Scoop' Seat Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A sinuous upholstered dining chair on tapered legs.
Upholstery, Walnut
Stool in Velvet Fabric, Flowers Decor, Brass Feet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Stool in velvet fabric, flowers decor, brass feet.
Brass
French Baroque Style Chintz-Upholstered Daybed, circa 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Rather theatrical and glamorous daybed with a sweeping S-shaped top, raised on large turned baluster legs. The structure is painted in an elegant light green, and has been newly upholstered in vintage chintz.
Set of 4 French Regence Red Floral Aubusson Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
"Set of 4 French Regence style (19th Cent) walnut high back side chairs with carved stretcher and upholstered red floral Aubusson seat and back. Antique condition, some wear to upho...
Upholstery, Walnut
Large 19th Century Suite of Louis XV Style Aubusson Tapestry Chairs and Settee
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful 19th century French large suite consisting of a settee and 4 arm chairs and two side chairs. Original painted grey with parcel gilt details. Beautiful Aubusson tapestry wit...
Tapestry
$8,332Sale Price|20% Off
Sofa Louis XV, Covered with Authentic Perfect Aubusson Tapestry
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
1910/M, I hope You can understand what it is from some photos only. Museum quality antique sofa, coating with an authentic Aubusson old tapestry: every...
Wood
Louis XV Style Giltwood Chaise Longue
Located in Pembroke, MA
Elegant French Louis XV style giltwood chaise longue, with nicely-carved flower cartouches on the head and foot, floral carvings on the seat rail and other rococo ornaments. Upholstered in lovely silk lampas fabric...
Gesso, Silk, Upholstery, Giltwood
$3,500Sale Price / set|26% Off
Pair of French Louis XV Period Fauteuils
Located in Pembroke, MA
A pretty pair of French Louis XV period fauteuils, circa 1760, in carved fruitwood with floral lamps fabric. Cabriolet backs, nicely carved an...
Fruitwood
English Chippendale Mahogany Needlepoint Sofa, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany sofa with serpentine back, flanking scrolled arms, floral needlepoint upholstery, and terminating on car...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Glamorous Hollywood Regency Tête-à-Tête, Conversation Sofa or Lounge
By Grosfeld House
Located in St. Louis, MO
Glamorous Hollywood Regency Tête-à-Tête having curving lines of the late 1930s or 1940s. Custom manufactured in the late 1960s or early 1970s by Berne Furniture...
Upholstery
Vintage Fuchsia and Black Moroccan Round Upholstered Stools
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of modern fuchsia and black Moroccan Art Deco Style stools. The upholstery is a damask fabric in floral taffeta with a raised velvet printed texture. Pair of modern Contemporary round Moroccan style stool in pink fabric upholstery in 1970s style. Moroccan Art Deco Style little pouf...
Fabric, Damask, Satin, Velvet
$4,352Sale Price|36% Off
Victorian Padded Arm Chair with Cranberry Floral Brocade
Located in Asheville, NC
Beautiful, rich dark mahogany victorian style padded armchair with Cranberry floral brocade. Delicate ancanthus leaf carving with generous proportions and interesting scale.
Brocade, Mahogany
On Hold|$5,800
Louis XV Style Daybed with Floral Upholstery
Located in Buchanan, NY
French Louis XV style daybed wooden trim and blue and green floral fabric.
$15,722
H 39.38 in W 77.56 in D 41.34 in
Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles Serpentine Shaped Sofa, Settee Upholstered
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A Louis XV period Canapé à Oreilles serpentine-shaped sofa. Featuring carved detailing, decorated with floral motifs and acanthus, with original Verd...
Walnut
$31,950Sale Price / set|32% Off
H 44.5 in W 63.25 in D 31 in
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Three-Piece Giltwood and Aubusson Salon Suite
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style three-piece giltwood carved and silk Aubusson tapestry three-piece salon suite, comprising of a settee and two fauteuils (armchairs), the Aubusson silk...
Silk, Wood
$8,950Sale Price / set|39% Off
H 46.5 in W 79 in D 32.25 in
French Louis XVI Style 19th Century Giltwood Carved Three-Piece Salon Suite
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French Louis XVI style 19th century giltwood carved three-piece salon suite, comprising of a three-corps settee and...
Fabric, Giltwood
Awaiting, H Stool Printed Velvet and Brass
By Giorgia Zanellato, Coralla Maiuri
Located in Roma, IT
This stool is part of the awaiting collection, presented by Secondome during Milan Fuorisalone, 2016. It's a series of items born from the encounter between the printed silk and cott...
Metal, Brass
Awaiting L Stool Printed Velvet and Brass
By Giorgia Zanellato, Coralla Maiuri
Located in Roma, IT
This stool is part of the Awaiting collection, presented by Secondome during Milan Fuorisalone, 2016. It’s a series of items born from the encounter between the printed silk and cott...
Metal, Brass
$12,950Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 45 in W 27 in D 30.75 in
Four French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Giltwood Carved and Aubusson Armchairs
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A set of four French 19th century Louis XVI style giltwood carved and Aubusson (worn) tapestry upholstered fauteuils a la reine armchairs. The banded oval back surmounted by a carved...
Tapestry, Giltwood
$3,950
H 40 in W 76 in D 29.75 in
18th Century Louis XV Period Walnut Sofa with Floral Carvings and Tapestry Uphol
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant Louis XV period three-seat sofa from the Rhône Valley, beautifully crafted in solid walnut with graceful proportions and richly hand-carved details. The serpentine backres...
Walnut
Vintage 90" Carved Louis XV Style Sofa
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a early 20th Century Louis XV Style French sofa. The sofa is finely carved along the back/head rail and the base. The arms are carved and curve as they join the base. The leg...
Wood, Upholstery
$6,570Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 80.32 in D 35.44 in
Newly Upholstered Daybed by Bonacina, Italy, 1950s
By Bonaccina
Located in Berlin, DE
Daybed by Bonacina in newly upholstered white fabric.
Fabric, Upholstery
Vintage Large Stools in Bouclé Fabric
Located in Nijlen, BE
Unique and very comfortable large stools. 4 in stock. Newly upholstered in exceptionally strong beige bouclé fabric (800g/m²). The light color and texture of the fabric make them a p...
Pine
$4,790 / item
H 19.69 in W 21.26 in D 18.51 in
Limited Edition Victoria Stool in Mustard Velvet and Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
Upholstered Daybed Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
Graceful and inviting, the recamier chaise with arched back and rolled arm. The fainting couch is upholstered but it does show some ware. Although made in the Victorian period, it ...
Upholstery
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