Artist returned fabric to cabinet (7)
I believe the answer is:
armoire
'cabinet' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'artist returned fabric' is the wordplay.
'artist' becomes 'ra' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'returned' says the letters should be written backwards.
'fabric' becomes 'moire' (moire is a kind of fabric**).
'ra' reversed gives 'ar'.
'ar'+'moire'='ARMOIRE'
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for armoire that I've seen before include "Large wardrobe or cabinet" , "Cupboard" , "Large wardrobe - more air (anag)" , "Cabinet originally used for storing weapons" , "item of furniture" .)