High & Low: Finding the Look of Josef Frank Fabric for Less

Josef Frank's vegetable tree fabric, approximately $250/yard

We’re not the first and we certainly won’t be the last to rue the high price tag attached to Josef Frank’s splendidly graphic and surreal fabric designs. Unable to pay upwards of $200 per yard, but yearning to add some of his Swedish modern aesthetic to our home, we searched for a few inspired alternatives that won’t break the bank.

1. Josef Frank's vegetable tree fabric, available from Svenskt Tenn for 890 SEK, plus shipping. Visit Just Scandinavian to find Frank's fabrics here in the US.

2. The price tag ($7.99/yard) and Scandinavian pedigree of these Ikea Patricia (left) and Gunilla (right) fabrics put them at the top of our list.

3. This botanical curtain from Anthropologie, in 84, 96, or 108-inch lengths feels very Josef Frank and isn't a bad deal at $48-68 per panel.

4. A nice botanical print from Studio E for $9.50/yard. We found it online from stich-n-frame.net.

5. This print by Anna Maria Horner from her Good Folks collection is a more subdued choice for $9.50/yard, available from QuiltHome.

6. An aquamarine fabric by Philp Jacobs, also from QuiltHome for $9.50/yard, is colorful and classic at the same time.

7. This floral print from Ballard Designs for $28/yard feels a bit more traditional, but we’re still feeling a Frank influence.

8. Prairie Gothic by Jane Sassaman is certainly a more modern option. It's available from Contemporary Cloth for $14.95/yard.

9. Marimekko's Kierto White designed by Pia Holm can be found at Textile Arts for $52/yard.

10. We wouldn't call this Marimekko pattern designed by Stig Lindberg in the 1950s a bargain at $120/yard, but it's still less pricey than the Josef Frank original.

MORE JOSEF FRANK:
Josef Frank Fabrics
Josef Frank's Carpet Roundup
Design Classic: Josef Frank Wallpaper & Textiles
Good Quotes: Josef Frank

Comments (19)

well, it isn't as colorful, but i am liking the graphic botanical look of the prairie gothic. interesting...

Which came first? Stig Lindberg's in the 1950's or Joseph Frank's? I'm confused by the term "original".
Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com

I love Josef Frank fabrics, too, but they're too pricey! Check out the New House website (from UK) - they have begun reprinting 50's Swedish textiles and selling them by the meter and made into soft furnishings:

http://www.newhousetextiles.co.uk/section.php?xSec=13

I ordered some recently - the fabrics run about $32/meter and shipping is also ~$32 to the US.

Hey Sarah, Great post. I love Josef Frank and have put his fabric in the "shopping cart" at Svenskt Tenn but once I use my currency converter, I quickly close the browser. Good alternatives!

Ooo - I love that Prairie Gothic print! Maybe I'll make a few pillows...

Another mmm-mmm-mmmmmmm for the Prairie Gothic.

@fishgirl

Both the Josef Frank and Stig Lindberg fabrics are "original" and from around the same time period. The Lindberg is just less expensive. I apologize if my phrasing was confusing!

Oh! Love love love the dark whimsy of Prairie Gothic. Great price! Thanks for helping those of us on a budget...

www.bitchesonabudget.com

Very cheap idea: buy the Mamma Mia dvd...

Such a great post. Thanks for doing all the legwork!

There is something undeniably creepy (in a cool way) about some of these patterns, especially the Prairie Gothic. Is there a "creepy modern" movement afoot? If there is, sign me up!

Love the Anthropologie curtain, but is it still available? I can't find it on the website.

If you click the Anthropologie link above in #3 it should take you right to the curtain.

Oh, so it does! Thanks, sarahir.

Pottery Barn's Serafina is stunningly similar -- we got their duvet for my sister's room and it is hot to trot! Looks like only the fabric is available now: http://www.potterybarn.com/products/fabric-by-the-yard-serafina/

Also try 'Paradis' by Cajsa Bratt. About $50 a yard if I remember correctly...

Doing business with Contemporary Cloth is worse than doing business with online scammers. They're impossible to get in touch with, and instead of taking responsibility for sending me the wrong sample, they tried to insist on me sending the wrong fabric sample back, at my expense, and then sending me HALF of the correct fabric that I already paid for. If I didn't know better, I'd think they were joking with the last 2 requests. Good thing I paid with paypal. I wouldn't trust these people with my credit card information. Good luck ordering through them; I'd advise you against it.