Once upon a time, you could easily differentiate between outdoor ‘performance’ fabrics designed to withstand the elements and indoor upholstery fabrics, but no longer.
Technical innovation by leading textile brands means outdoor options have grown softer and more pliable, while still maintaining durability. They're now a great option for inside as well as out.
‘Using our solution-dyed acrylic fibres, we can warp our yarns into textiles that mimic natural fibres; from velvets to linens,’ explains Ann Sutherland of Perennials Fabrics. So outdoor pieces can become far grander. ‘Clients love using our luxe velvets for statement pieces – think dining chairs, white sofas and breakfast banquettes.’
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‘People wish to move freely from their garden to the comfort of their living rooms,’ says Raffaele Fabrizio, creative director of luxury Italian textile brand Dedar. ‘Having fabrics that work in both environments allows flexibility. And, if people have pets or children, the fact they are more hardwearing is a bonus. Beauty and functionality can coexist.’
For our garden spaces that’s the best news yet. To make your garden look as stylish as your living room, we've created our edit…
Pictured above: ‘Young and Lovely’ fabric by Dedar
The best outdoor fabrics of 2020
This article first appeared in ELLE Decoration July 2020
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