Kehls Patterned Chenille Fabrics: How to Use Bold Chenille Fabrics

After years of safe, solid neutrals dominating the scene, bold, tactile prints are having a well-deserved moment. And when that pattern comes in chenille? It’s an entirely different experience. Kehls patterned chenille fabrics showcase just how transformative bold upholstery can be. At Kehls, the belief has always been that the right fabric can transform a piece of furniture from functional to unforgettable. Two of the latest chenille arrivals, Edgy and Artsy, are exactly that kind of fabric.

Meet the Fabrics

Edgy is a zebra-stripe chenille that manages to be both striking and refined. The pattern draws on the timeless energy of animal print: bold contrast, directional movement and a touch of the wild, while the softness of the chenille weave keeps it from ever feeling harsh. Available in classic black-and-ivory as well as sage and taupe colourways, Edgy gives the freedom to go dramatic or stay understated, depending on the project.

Artsy is a completely different kind of bold. Its abstract, curving line pattern feels almost hand-drawn. Its looping, rhythmic forms create a sense of depth and texture across the fabric. In shades ranging from earthy olive and charcoal to cream and warm sand, Artsy has that art-forward quality that works beautifully in contemporary interiors without feeling cold or minimal.

Both fabrics share the hallmark of good chenille: a soft, slightly velvety surface that invites touch, with enough structure to perform well across a range of upholstery applications. Kehls patterned chenille fabrics combine tactile appeal with practical performance, making them suitable for a wide variety of interiors.

How to Use Them

The question most often asked about patterned fabrics is: where should they be used? The honest answer is, more places than many people think.

Statement chairs and armchairs are the natural home for a fabric like Edgy or Artsy. A single accent chair in a living room or bedroom can carry a bold pattern beautifully, especially when it is anchored by solid-toned furniture around it.

Headboards are another excellent canvas. A zebra-print or abstract chenille headboard becomes the focal point of the bedroom without requiring much else. A solid linen duvet, simple bedside tables, and the fabric does the rest.

Scatter cushions and bolsters are perhaps the easiest entry point. If someone is not ready to commit a full piece of furniture to a pattern, scatter cushions let them introduce Edgy or Artsy alongside existing upholstery and test the combination.

Ottoman and footstool upholstery works brilliantly with pattern too, especially for pieces that sit low in a room and benefit from being seen from above.

Pairing Patterned Chenille with Other Materials

This is where the real fun begins. Patterned chenille doesn’t need to compete with the rest of a scheme—it needs to be complemented by it.

Pair with Alicante Chenille for tonal harmony. The Alicante range, a textured, basketweave-style chenille in an earthy, neutral palette, is an ideal companion fabric. Where Edgy or Artsy brings pattern, Alicante brings texture. Used together on the same piece (think: a patterned seat with plain Alicante back panels, or piping in a toning Alicante shade), the result feels considered and cohesive rather than busy.

Pair with the vinyl range for contrast. A patterned chenille seat paired with a smooth vinyl back or arm panel creates a pleasing contrast in both texture and practicality, especially for dining or commercial upholstery where durability matters on high-contact surfaces.

Pair with plain woven fabrics for balance. When working on a larger project like a sofa or a full suite, introducing a patterned chenille on the cushion fronts or accent panels while keeping the main body in a coordinating plain weave gives the pattern room to breathe.

The rule of thumb: let the pattern lead and build the rest of the scheme around it.

Where to Find Them

Edgy, Artsy and the full Alicante range are available from Kehls branches in Cape Town (Maitland), George (Garden Route) and Pinetown (KZN). Browse the full fabric selection online or visit a branch to see and feel these fabrics in person—because with chenille, the texture really does need to be experienced firsthand.