A.P.C. in the House: Fashion's Quiet Take on Homeware

Most of us know A.P.C. for its raw denim, crisp shirts and the kind of understated wardrobe pieces that look better every year you own them. But the French label has long had a softer, more domestic side too. A.P.C. homeware, and in particular its patchwork quilts, brings the brand's quiet, considered style into the house, and we think it is one of the more charming crossovers between fashion and interiors.

Here we look at what A.P.C. in the house means, why it works and how to borrow the look even if you never buy a thing.

A.P.C. homeware: from wardrobe to bedroom

A.P.C. was founded in Paris by Jean Touitou in 1987, and its whole philosophy has been about restraint: good fabrics, simple shapes, no shouting. It makes sense that this approach would translate to the home. The brand's quilts began in 2011, made in collaboration with designer Jessica Ogden from leftover fabric remnants, giving offcuts from the clothing collections a second life.

The result is a series of patchwork quilts and cushions that feel both modern and deeply traditional. Each one draws on the colours and textures of A.P.C.'s clothing, so you might spot a familiar chambray, a navy wool or a soft striped cotton. Because they use remnants, many pieces are made in small numbers, which adds to their appeal.

We like the honesty of that idea. Rather than inventing a separate home look, the brand simply lets its clothing fabrics move from the wardrobe to the bed or the sofa. A quilt folded at the end of a bed, or a cushion on a plain linen sofa, carries the same understated character as a well-worn shirt, and it softens with use in the same way.

Why fashion-led homeware works

There is something lovely about seeing a fashion label apply its eye to the things we live with. The same instincts that make a good shirt, such as proportion, fabric choice and attention to the seams, also make a good quilt or cushion.

• A consistent palette: A.P.C. home pieces share the muted indigos, greys and earthy tones of the clothes.
• Craft over trend: patchwork is a slow, careful technique that resists fast fashion.
• Use of remnants: making something beautiful from offcuts is a thoughtful approach to waste.
• Built to last: like the jeans, these are pieces designed to soften and improve with age.

The best homeware, like the best clothes, should feel like an old friend within a month: familiar, comfortable and entirely yours.

A.P.C. Shoreditch and shopping in East London

For Londoners, A.P.C. Shoreditch on Redchurch Street sits on one of the city's best shopping streets for fashion and homeware. It is worth pairing a visit with a wander along the street and its neighbours, where independent boutiques, home stores and cafés make for a very pleasant afternoon. We covered more of the area in our post on two East London hotspots.

Ranges vary from shop to shop and season to season, so the home pieces will not always be on display. If you are after a quilt, it is worth checking what is available before you make a special trip.

How to get the A.P.C. in the house look

You do not need a designer quilt to bring this pared-back mood home. A few ideas:

1. Keep the palette tight. Indigo, navy, grey, ecru and a little rust go a long way.
2. Layer natural fabrics. Linen, cotton and wool, ideally with a slightly lived-in texture.
3. Display what you wear. A simple clothes rail on a white wall, with a few linen pieces, can be as beautiful as any artwork.
4. Try patchwork yourself. Old shirts and offcuts can become cushion covers with a little patience.

This calm, edited approach shares a lot with the Scandinavian rooms we admired in Swedish charms. And for more design-led shopping in central London, our visit to the Aram store is a perfect next stop.

Looking back: A.P.C. has continued to release quilt collections in the years since, often working with different collaborators, so the designs available today may look quite different from earlier editions.

Questions readers ask

Does A.P.C. make homeware?

Yes. A.P.C. is best known for clothing but has released patchwork quilts and cushions, often made from fabric remnants from its collections.

Where is A.P.C. Shoreditch?

A.P.C. has a shop on Redchurch Street in Shoreditch, East London, a street known for fashion and homeware boutiques.

How can I get the A.P.C. in the house look?

Use a tight palette of indigo, grey and ecru, layer natural fabrics like linen and wool, and keep surfaces simple and uncluttered.