After a 20 year period where it became a synonym for tacky and vulgar, chintz is making a comeback in interior design. But despite being associated with the 1980s (thank Princess Diana’s love for the florid designs of Laura Ashley for that), chintz’s history dates back to the 11th century, where Indian weavers would hand-paint colorful patterns onto calico fabric. These fabrics were exported into England in the 17th century and copied by their own weavers, and the floral Indian-inspired patterns they created became known as “chintz”.
Key Takeaways:
- One basic thing about design if one has been paying attention to it is that everything seems to be cyclical in design.
- In design a certain look might appear hot for some years and then it goes passé and eventually after twenty years it tends to resurface.
- The author states that one design principle he is fascinated about is the reappearance of chintz and he is wondering why its appearance seems cyclical.
“European mills eventually developed a process for making the fabric on their own, and the word ‘chintz’ came to refer to the kind of prints you could see displayed on chintz fabrics: repeating florals, usually on a light background.”
Read more: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/80s-chintz-comeback-florals-36619210
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