She’s the interior designer with an exceptional talent for decorating with beautiful textiles. Here, Lonika Chande shares her little black book of the best textile and fabric shops to unearth a treasure
(LEFT) INTERIOR DESIGNER AND TEXTILES ENTHUSIAST LONIKA CHANDE; (RIGHT) LONIKA’S BEDROOM AT HER HOME IN LONDON. IMAGES: MILO BROWN
When it comes to creating strikingly beautiful interiors using a vibrant mix of textiles, few do it better than interior designer Lonika Chande. So, naturally, her recommendations of the best textile and fabric shops she returns to over and again is akin to unearthing a positive treasure trove. Stocking everything from simple and striking linens and blockprints, to highly decorative antique silks, vintage kantha quilts and intricate suzanis; discover Lonika’s little black book…
Francesca Gentilli
Francesca specialises in beautiful vintage and bespoke rugs and textiles handmade by artisans from Morocco, India, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Peru. She has lots of lovely hand-embroidered suzanis just in.
Studio visits in Weston, Hertfordshire, by appointment
The Cloth Shop
This fabulous shop on the Portobello Road has a wonderfully eclectic collection of antique linens and blockprints, as well as a great collection of vintage quilts and Welsh blankets, which I’m a huge fan of.
290 Portobello Rd, London W10 5TE
Claremont
This Chelsea fabric house stocks a large collection of specialist textiles and trimmings and specialises in textiles woven by small manufacturers on old looms. It is a great place to find new fabrics based on old designs.
35 Elystan St, Chelsea, London SW3 3NT
(L TO R) FRANCESCA GENTILLI’S STUDIO; FLORAL QUILTS FROM THE CLOTH SHOP; A FABRIC SCHEME BY CLAREMONT. ALL IMAGES: INSTAGRAM
Warris Viani & Co.
They have a beautiful collection of fabrics and vintage textiles, including colourful hand-embroidered kantha quilts, suzanis and cushions, among other things.
85 Golborne Road, London W10 5NL
Katharine Pole
Katharine has a beautiful collection of highly decorative French antique textiles, including quilts, pelmets, rugs, curtains and cushions. She also stocks antique furniture and decorative objects.
Viewings at her London studio available by appointment
Tinsmiths
This pretty shop in Ledbury has lots of beautiful, well-priced natural fabrics including vintage and one-off fabrics. They also have a lovely collection of vintage Welsh blankets, suzanis and patchwork quilts.
Tinsmiths, High St, Ledbury HR8 1DS
(L TO R) WOVEN CUSHIONS FROM WARRIS VIANI & CO.; TINSMITHS IN LEDBURY; FRENCH ANTIQUE FLORAL FABRIC FROM KATHARINE POLE. ALL IMAGES: INSTAGRAM
Penny Worrall
Penny specialises in beautiful vintage woven textiles from around the world, which she makes into cushions, lampshades, blankets, quilts and framed textiles.
Studio in Purley, Surrey, open by appointment
Susan Deliss
Susan sells a lovely range of vintage and new kilims, ikats, silk embroideries, velvets and linens. Her own fabric collection is also lovely, and is often inspired by her one-off finds.
Studio in Notting Hill, London, open by appointment
Susie Atkinson
Susie’s beautiful new fabric collection is well worth checking out. She has some especially lovely new chequerboard fabrics which am looking forward to using in upcoming projects.
Studio 7, Plato Place, 72-74 St Dionis Road, London SW6 4TU
I also often get soft furnishings made up from pieces of fabric that I have discovered at places like Portobello Market, Sunbury Antiques Market, Ardingley Antique Fair or on eBay. There are treasures to be found all over the place!
(L TO R) WOVEN FABRICS FROM SUSAN ELLIS; CHEQUERBOARD FABRIC BY SUSIE ATKINSON; CUSHIONS BY PENNY WORRALL. ALL IMAGES: INSTAGRAM
Take a tour of Lonika’s beautiful, textile-filled London home here.
