Floral Chintz
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.
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Floral Chintz
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Floral Chintz
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Floral Chintz
Plastic, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Floral Chintz
Tapestry
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Floral Chintz
Polyester, Wood
18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Antique Floral Chintz
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Floral Chintz
Plastic
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Floral Chintz
Silk, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Floral Chintz
Fabric, Giltwood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Floral Chintz
Tapestry, Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Floral Chintz
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Floral Chintz
Giltwood, Fabric
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Floral Chintz
Leather, Walnut
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Floral Chintz
Bouclé, Beech
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Floral Chintz
Wood, Velvet
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Floral Chintz
Brass
1950s French Louis XV Vintage Floral Chintz
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Louis XVI Antique Floral Chintz
Beech
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Kaleidoscopic Upholstery Makes This Edward Wormley Chair a Showstopper
What at first glance seems an unusual choice jibes perfectly with the designer's aesthetic.
Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
How to Reupholster a Chair
Want to update an old chair that still has good bones? We spoke to experts to find out how they approach reupholstering antique furniture.
How to Spot Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI Chairs
A field guide for anyone who wants to brush up on their knowledge of French antiques
The Ball Chair, Eero Aarnio’s Space Age Masterpiece, Was Almost Never Made
Now considered emblematic of 1960s mod aesthetics, the Finnish designer's famous creation was far from an overnight success.