Chenille Fabric
Chenille takes its name from the French word for caterpillar, after the soft, fuzzy yarn it is woven from. The result is a fabric with a deep, velvety touch and a gentle sheen, comfortable to sit on and lovely to the hand. It is a natural choice for a much-used sofa, an armchair or a headboard.
Villa Nova offers chenille weaves in its Morandi and Atlantis collections, and Clarke & Clarke has a dedicated range in Jaipur Chenille, alongside Elements. Black Edition brings richer textures with Tsauri and Arkose, and Zinc Textile and Zoffany add further chenille designs.
Because chenille has a pile, its colour can shift with the direction of the light, which gives a plain shade real depth and makes chenille especially good in a single, rich colour. For upholstery, the product details will show each fabric's rub test result and recommended use, which is worth checking for a seat that sees daily wear. Keep the pile running in the same direction across a piece so the colour reads evenly.
Browse upholstery fabric and headboard fabric, compare with velvet fabric, or read Texture vs Pattern on using texture in a scheme.
