Modern Abstraction, Reimagined: Inside the Fresco Upholstery Fabric Collection

At Saint and Poet, fabric is never just surface — it’s a narrative, a statement, a sensory experience. Our latest launch, the Fresco Upholstery Fabric Collection, draws on the bold traditions of modern art, channeling the layered spontaneity of abstract painting into textiles designed for living, lounging, and looking.

Inspired by the rhythm of brushstrokes, geometric interplay, and colour theory found in 20th-century abstraction, this collection celebrates artistic freedom. Whether you’re revitalising a tired chair or designing an interior from scratch, Fresco offers a fabric story that’s unafraid to be expressive.

A Collection Rooted in Movement and Colour

Each Fresco design is a deliberate fusion of movement and stillness. Large-scale brush-marks meet precisely drawn shapes. Expressive dots play against architectural lines. The result? A dynamic aesthetic that feels fresh yet grounded.

What truly sets this multicoloured upholstery fabric apart is its tonal complexity. From dusky rose and rust to golden ochre and ultramarine, every palette was carefully curated to create richness from contrast. These prints make a statement whether used on a single armchair or across an entire suite.

Just like a layered painting, this fabric comes alive the closer you get. The texture of the basecloth, a tightly woven cotton-linen blend, brings subtle depth to each design. It’s a textile that’s made to be touched as much as admired.

Designed to Be Lived With

All of our upholstery fabric is designed with longevity in mind, and Fresco is no exception. With a 150cm width and a rub count of over 35,000, this collection is well-suited to both domestic and contract settings. Whether you’re upholstering a vintage Danish frame or specifying fabric for a boutique hotel, Fresco delivers on performance as well as personality.

And while boldness might be the headline, this is a practical range at heart. The scale of the prints has been carefully considered to suit sofas, occasional chairs, bench cushions, and even bold window treatments. It’s fabric that’s confident without overpowering — a visual anchor that invites colour play.

How to Style the Fresco Collection

Fresco is built for layered interiors — think warm woods, boucle textures, and plenty of natural light. Use it to offset calm, neutral palettes, or go maximalist by pairing with bold paint colours and eclectic artworks.

If you’re working with one of the collection’s cooler-toned designs, we recommend grounding it with soft greens or warm greys. For the warmer palettes, lean into sun-baked terracottas, inky blues, or accents of mustard. Because of its graphic nature, Fresco also works brilliantly with solid velvets, such as our Portafino Velvet Upholstery Fabric Collection — the contrast of matte and shine adds visual interest without cluttering the scheme.

From Art Studio to Upholstered Seat

Every design in the Fresco collection began as a hand-painted or collaged artwork, later digitised and refined for print. This commitment to creative process is part of what makes Saint and Poet fabrics feel different. We don’t just follow trends — we channel artistic practice into every metre of fabric we create.

In many ways, Fresco reflects our studio’s belief that interiors should feel expressive, personal, and a little unexpected. If you’re a designer or homeowner looking to move away from the overly restrained, this is your cue to embrace a braver kind of beauty.

Thinking of Using Fresco for Curtains and Blinds?

We often get asked whether our upholstery fabrics are suitable for drapery too — and the answer is yes. In fact, we explore this in our blog post: Can I Use Your Fabrics for Curtains and Blinds?. Fresco’s weight and drape make it ideal for striking window treatments, especially in larger or contemporary spaces where pattern repetition becomes a feature. For best results, we recommend lining the fabric to enhance structure and protect from UV exposure.

Explore the Rest of Our Artistic Offerings

If you’re drawn to the painterly feel of Fresco, you may also enjoy our Expressionism Upholstery Fabric Collection — a moodier, more scenic take on artistic abstraction. Expressionism leans into emotion, atmosphere, and layered storytelling, making it a perfect complement to Fresco’s crisp geometry.

Both collections reflect our commitment to combining creativity with practicality — and empowering designers and homeowners alike to build interiors full of depth, character, and colour.