Fabrics that feel like home: Fabric House
by Metropol | December 17, 2025 8:33 am
The right fabrics and soft furnishings have the power to transform your space into a sanctuary.
There’s a moment when a house stops feeling ordinary and starts feeling like a sanctuary. More often than not, that shift begins with fabric – curtains that warm a room, textured cushions that invite you to sink in, lampshades that shift the energy.
The instant you draw soft linen curtains across the window, or you drop into a comfortable chair, something subtle happens in the body. Plush weaves like velvet, wool and textured cotton activate the brain’s relaxation response, encouraging the shoulders to drop and the breath to deepen. It’s design, yes, but it’s also wellbeing through the skilful use of colour, texture, and pattern. This quiet emotional alchemy is what the team at Fabric House in Christchurch has been helping Cantabrians create since 2007.
“Fabrics and furnishings aren’t just about aesthetics,” says Niki Smith, manager of Fabric House at The Tannery. “They shape how your home feels and how you feel in it. Soft furnishings all influence the emotional tone of a space.”
A premier destination for premium fabrics and linens on the roll sourced directly from the United Kingdom and Europe, Fabric House is where homeowners, makers and designers explore an inspiring collection of textiles, homewares and accessories. The team provides in-depth fabric consultations and hosts hands-on workshops with expert advice from experienced makers, teaching people how to make their own lampshades, curtains and cushions.
If you’re not up to sewing projects yourself, they offer a free measure-and-quote for locals, and can even help those further afield, supplying drapery and blinds based on customers’ own measurements.
“Since introducing our making service in 2025, we’ve had customers choosing our fabric from as far as Nelson, Kaikōura, and Ashburton. We supply made-to-measure tracks and offer an installation service to ensure the perfect fit,” Niki says.
“Choosing the right fabric can feel daunting, especially for big projects. We’re here to help. We want you to be thrilled with your choice, and we love guiding people toward fabrics that truly suit their lifestyle.”
As well as window furnishings, Fabric House offers custom-made headboards, armchairs, footstools and cushions.
“We are lucky to have an amazing network of talented makers who provide incredible quality pieces for our customers,” says creative director Kate Claridge.
“When someone walks in and falls in love with a fabric, we are so pleased to facilitate turning that favourite fabric into their perfect window treatments or new upholstery pieces. The bonus is we have stock on hand, so customers aren’t waiting for fabric to arrive from overseas. Our fabrics change regularly, so if you see something you love, it’s always worth going for it,” says Kate.
Call in to Fabric House, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 to 4pm, at The Tannery, 3 Garlands Road, Woolston, and experience how the right fabric can transform not only your home but the way you feel in it.
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/fabrics-that-feel-like-home-fabric-house/