Outdoor Fabric used for Indoors

I’ve been mentioning this quite often lately to clients; the benefit of using outdoor fabric as your  indoor fabric.  Not all that long ago outdoor fabrics were stiff, weird colors with odd patterns, but now outdoor fabric has come a very long way in terms of patterns, colors but mostly in softness, texture and weave.  Most people are unaware that there exists a whole new world of  outdoor fabrics, such as,velvets and silk, yes, velvets and silks, all from 100% solution dyed acrylic.  Imagine the possibilities of a fabric that looks like silk but doesn’t fade…indoor draperies, outdoor draperies, bedding, dining chairs, shower curtains, place mats, truly if you can imagine it, it can be done.  Do you realize that this means a white upholstered sofa is no longer off limits if you have young children, teens, pets or a messy husband.  Seriously you can have a white sofa and serve red wine with no worries!

Below is a very small sampling  just to pique your awareness of what is available.  Hard to believe, I know, but in most cases you really can’t tell the difference in feel between a cotton indoor velvet and the acrylic outdoor velvet; likewise with chenilles and twills.  Ok, I admit it’s hard to duplicate a beautiful silk, however, you’d be very surprised at how similar it looks.   Check ‘em out.

 

  Soleil Velvet in Charcoal 100% Sunbrella Acrylic

Soleil Velvet in Cocoa 100% Sunbrella Acrylic

Soleil Velvet in Sage 100% Sunbrella Acrylic

Trax Salt 100% Sunbrella Acrylic

Daydream White 100% Solution Dyed Acrylic

 

Super Paradise in Punch by Trina Turk for F. Schumacher

Arches in Orange Trina Turk for F. Schumacher

Super Paradise in Punch by Trina Turk forF. Schumacher

Tangier Framed Print in Driftwood by Trina Turk for F. Schumacher

Ankara in Kiwi from F. Schumacher

Shibori – Sea Urchin from Perennials Fabric

Slubby – Peacock from Perennials Fabric

Madagascar Chenille in Rattan from F. Schumacher

Outside the Box – Slate from Perennials Fabric

Ripples – Nantucket from Perennials Fabric

Nubby – Spa Blue from Perennials Fabric

Just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what’s available. Aren't they fantastic!!

Client Project: Foyer and Powder Room

This is a small project for a client who I’ve been working with for about a year.  They have asked me to spruce up their foyer and the guest powder room which is just off the foyer.

In the powder room sink area I’ve selected this beautiful hand embroidered velvet to upholster the walls.  Note that this room is not a main powder room that is used every day. 

Lee Jofa Bartholomew Velvet Color Sea 2006162

In the water closet will be the gorgeously textured burlap wall covering by Schumacher.

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There is enough room in the water closet for a small piece of furniture; I love the luxury of space in a powder room where I can add a chest or a chair.  I chose this Serpentine Chest in Antique Burl with a 12” depth, it fits perfectly.  I’m now searching for an intriguing piece of art to hang above plus I’ll add a small lamp and accessories to the top. 

Serpentine Chest in Antique Burl

 

In the foyer I’ve selected the Frederica Bench from the Suzanne Kasler collection at Hickory Chair. 

Frederica Bench – Hickory Chair 

It will be covered in  Bosphorus Red fabric by Lee Jofa seen below with Samuel and Sons (which by the way is my very favorite trim company) Cambridge Strie Braid in Black, featuring antique brass nail head trim spaced 1” apart.  Note that the white floral stripe will be positioned up the middle of the seat and back cushion of the bench with the more leafy red and tan pattern flanking either side of the floral stripe.  The outside back will be simply upholstered in the appropriately named fabric Simply Canvas in Cinnabar (below) with the Cambridge Strie Braid and spaced nail head trim around the perimeter of the back panel.

Lee Jofa Bosphorus – Red

Samuel and Sons Cambridge Strie Braid

Fabricut Simply Canvas – Cinnabar

I’m also adding this small Berrod Chest in Antique Black to the foyer.

 

I’m still in search of the perfect mirror to hang over this chest, and the requisite  lamp light that sets the mood for the entry, see my post here on foyers.   I will also be including a pair of laurel leaf mirrored back sconces that will flank the double entry doors.  Unfortunately, I do not have a picture as they’ve been discontinued (and the client has them at their home).  

I will post photos of the finished project at completion, which will be in about 2 months, stay tuned……