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The Guidelines
Practicality: Easy to keep clean. Mildew & fade resistant.
Water repellent. And durable. Should be 100% acrylic. Good manufacturers,
like Sunbrella, offer good warranties. But even then, not "forever" ones.
Be sure to check.
Suitable for the situation: Dark colors will fade noticeably faster
than light ones in bright sun. Use nylon mesh for fully exposed furnishings & cushions.
It best handles rain & sunlight.
Thoughts on care: Will you store or cover cushions when not in use?
Keep them clean? Turn them often? The price-point, especially on designer fabric,
is high. The better the care, the longer it will last & keep its good looks. |
Overall Styles
Plain fabrics- many colors available. Mostly primaries. That means it could
take you awhile to find the right coral pink. If ever. "Off" colors
are tough to come by.
Stripped fabrics- big selection. Large awning stripes are classic. Smaller-widths
harder to find. Multi-colored primaries. But unusual color combos mostly from
designer collections.
Patterned fabrics- the industry still seems to cater to those who want palm
fronds & over-scaled flowers, in the most traditional sense. Designs are
mostly outdated. Even the new ones. The best patterned outdoor fabric lines are
in designer textile collections.
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Everything
Sunbrella?
"Sunbrella" has become the catch-all term for any outdoor fabric. Real "Sunbrella" is
still the benchmark for the best durability in outdoor fabric. But Sunbrella
doesn't venture far from the basics in style & comfort.
What's Available?
The outdoor fabric industry seems to offer a lot. But on closer inspection, they
all offer pretty much the same. Until you get into high-end, designer goods,
like Perennials Outdoor
Fabrics A terrific company that offers stylish, well
made & very
soft fabrics... sold to the trade only. But Perennials will help you with
further
information. They
have great customer support. Call 888.322.4773. Or contact them through
their website. |
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IslandStyle
Notes:
- Plain fabric
may look best on large pieces, like a sectional sofa. Very
busy, bright patterns could drive you crazy after awhile.
- Large stripes
look better on large-scale furniture. Will lose impact on small
pieces.
- Have fun
with accent pillows. Add a pattern. Incorporate other outdoor
fabric colors.
- Beware of
lovely magazine ads featuring what looks like outdoor fabric,
in outdoor settings.Like Ralph Lauren's new ad, showing pillows
on a rowboat. Beautiful, but deceiving. Those pillows are covered
in cotton twill. Not at all suitable for keeping outdoors (or
falling in the water).
- In canopied
outdoor conditions, fading & wetness not as
much of a concern. Where furnishings are completely exposed,
use lighter colored fabrics for less
fading. And cushions with a suitable fabric, like "Textaline" mesh.
Allows for fast drying, though not as comfy.
- Consider
type of cushion style. Perhaps a box-edge with contrasting
trim for extra pizzaz. Add buttons. Or Fancy
knots. Be sure all
trim is specifically
for
outdoor applications.
- Night time
critters? Birds overhead? Tree sap? Put a cover over your fabric.
At least when you're out of town. Or even every night, to keep
the neighbor's lounging cat from dirtying-up your cushions.
- Don't be
tempted to choose a favorite fabric you're told can be treated
with a teflon coating to seal it for outdoor use. A fabric's
outdoor integrity is part of the manufacturing process. Not
from a spray can.
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