Brunschwig & Fils | Les Touches II

Les Touches II is a printed pattern on a woven polyester ground, built to be used where ordinary cloth would not last. The name refers to touches of colour, and that is how the design behaves: marks laid across the cloth with enough space between them that the eye moves rather than stops. It has a drier, more matt hand than a cotton or linen, which suits the pattern, because nothing on the surface competes with the colour. In a room it works as a lively but controlled background.

The cloth is 100% solution dyed polyester, which means the colour is added to the fibre before it is spun rather than printed or dyed onto the surface afterwards. That is why it holds up so well in strong light and why it can be cleaned more firmly than most upholstery fabrics. It is 54 inches (137 cm) wide, with a vertical repeat of 28 inches (71 cm) and a horizontal repeat of 24 inches (61 cm). That is a generous repeat, so allow for it.

We would put it on outdoor seating first: dining chairs on a terrace, a cushioned bench in a garden room, or loose cushions for a daybed that sees sun all afternoon. It also suits a conservatory, where curtains and blinds face the glass all day, and a boot room or kitchen banquette that gets heavy use. Pair it with a plain linen or a quiet stripe in a related tone, and keep the surrounding furniture simple so the pattern stays the main event.

With a 71 cm vertical repeat, order generously and ask your workroom to confirm the quantity once the cut lengths are known, as matching across seat, back and cushion costs extra cloth. Match the pattern at the centre of each cushion face rather than at the seams. For awnings or exterior covers, ask the maker to use bonded polyester thread, as cotton thread rots long before the fabric does. We would not line it for outdoor use, but loose covers benefit from a snug, tailored fit.