How the Rise of Performance Fabrics Is Changing Interior Design
Designer Brynn Olson reveals why performance textiles have become a game changer in interior design... and our homes
Gwendolyn Purdom
12 December 2019
Lover of architecture, history, dogs, the Chicago Cubs, crowded bookshelves, and homes with a story. Former editor at Preservation mag and Culturess.com.
Lover of architecture, history, dogs, the Chicago Cubs, crowded bookshelves, and... More
Just a few years ago, an ivory sofa was a tough sell for clients with children. In today’s home-design landscape, however, advances in performance fabrics are allowing designers including Chicago, USA-based Brynn Olson, to incorporate this classic element without worrying homeowners. “Ivory has that crisp, clean factor but it still has a little bit of warmth to it,” says Olson, founder and principal at Brynn Olson Design Group. “It feels fresh and light, especially on a big, honking piece of upholstery.”
At a panel this month at the Design Chicago conference, Olson talked about using more ivory sofas in her work and explained how performance textiles are affecting the interior design industry. She addressed fabric trends of all kinds, together with fellow design professionals, Christina Samatas and Renee DiSanto of Park & Oak Interior Design, Kedra Pai of Kedra Chalen Design, and Traditional Home magazine editor-in-chief Jill Waage. For Olson, new developments in performance textiles and their impact were a central theme.
And it wasn’t just Olson’s panel that had professionals buzzing about the topic. Two other Design Chicago presentations focussed on the rise of performance textiles as well – one examined their evolution in the industry and another examined the science behind them.
Here, Olson tells Houzz how she sees performance textiles evolving, and what their growing popularity means for the design industry and homeowners alike.
And it wasn’t just Olson’s panel that had professionals buzzing about the topic. Two other Design Chicago presentations focussed on the rise of performance textiles as well – one examined their evolution in the industry and another examined the science behind them.
Here, Olson tells Houzz how she sees performance textiles evolving, and what their growing popularity means for the design industry and homeowners alike.
Better quality and more options
Performance textiles – or specially treated materials that are resistant or repellent to various elements such as wrinkles, spills or environmental conditions – were once largely limited to outdoor furniture. But today, Olson says, these fabrics are available in a wide variety, from traditional performance-fabric makers including Crypton and Sunbrella, to new brands just entering the market that her design team uses in nearly every project.
“There’s no real project that we do now without using a performance fabric, so it’s really become a vital part of our business,” says Olson. “What that means for us is that it expands beyond just that one family-room sofa that our clients are wanting to ensure has longevity and is easy to clean.”
Performance textiles – or specially treated materials that are resistant or repellent to various elements such as wrinkles, spills or environmental conditions – were once largely limited to outdoor furniture. But today, Olson says, these fabrics are available in a wide variety, from traditional performance-fabric makers including Crypton and Sunbrella, to new brands just entering the market that her design team uses in nearly every project.
“There’s no real project that we do now without using a performance fabric, so it’s really become a vital part of our business,” says Olson. “What that means for us is that it expands beyond just that one family-room sofa that our clients are wanting to ensure has longevity and is easy to clean.”
Designers and homeowners can now find performance linens, velvets and other fabrics in a wide range of styles and prices from budget-friendly to luxury. The headboard seen here, for instance, is covered in a performance velvet.
Different fabric types offer different levels of spill, wrinkle or soil protection, depending on a client’s needs. For example, there are versions for the homeowner who doesn’t mind liquids soaking through the fabric but wants a piece that’s easy to clean (on outdoor furniture, for example).
Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz to learn which performance fabrics will work in your home
Different fabric types offer different levels of spill, wrinkle or soil protection, depending on a client’s needs. For example, there are versions for the homeowner who doesn’t mind liquids soaking through the fabric but wants a piece that’s easy to clean (on outdoor furniture, for example).
Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz to learn which performance fabrics will work in your home
At the other end of the spectrum, heavy-duty fabrics that don’t allow anything to permeate them – the type that are typically backed with a plastic-like lining – can ease the minds of clients for high-traffic areas, Olson says. However, in those cases, designers should keep in mind that there’s still a trade off with a high level of protection: a less cushy feel that not all homeowners will like.
Performance is in such demand that Olson says she’s seeing more companies offering treatment services to turn any fabric into a performance textile after a piece has been made. Nevertheless, fabrics that were designed to be performance textiles remain the more reliable choice.
Performance is in such demand that Olson says she’s seeing more companies offering treatment services to turn any fabric into a performance textile after a piece has been made. Nevertheless, fabrics that were designed to be performance textiles remain the more reliable choice.
Homeowners recognise the value
Perhaps because performance fabrics have been known as outdoor materials, clients are often hesitant when Olson and her team suggest using them in interiors. Once they see and feel samples of the latest fabrics, however, clients understand why they might be the right fit, Olson says.
“We will do little sample tests in our office too, so they can see what spilt coffee does, how it blots up and how it’s easily cleaned or, in some cases, how it doesn’t even soak into the fabric at all, which is always a fun one during meetings,” she says.
Perhaps because performance fabrics have been known as outdoor materials, clients are often hesitant when Olson and her team suggest using them in interiors. Once they see and feel samples of the latest fabrics, however, clients understand why they might be the right fit, Olson says.
“We will do little sample tests in our office too, so they can see what spilt coffee does, how it blots up and how it’s easily cleaned or, in some cases, how it doesn’t even soak into the fabric at all, which is always a fun one during meetings,” she says.
Once clients are able to see the materials in action, they appreciate why performance fabrics can serve as a kind of insurance on a big investment, Olson says. And kids or pets aren’t always necessary to make that investment worthwhile. A sofa, chair or pillow that can stand up to spilt red wine or a clumsy guest can be a smart buy for anyone. The white chairs in this image, for instance, feature Crypton Home performance fabric.
Incorporating these fabrics can even shift the way people use their spaces. “The feedback is always, ‘Oh, I can have this beautiful home and have kids?’” says Olson. “We’ve heard, ‘Oh my children now love this area and actually go sit down and do their homework,’ so it’s really been a powerful reaction.”
Incorporating these fabrics can even shift the way people use their spaces. “The feedback is always, ‘Oh, I can have this beautiful home and have kids?’” says Olson. “We’ve heard, ‘Oh my children now love this area and actually go sit down and do their homework,’ so it’s really been a powerful reaction.”
New ways to use them
Performance fabrics have come a long way from the back patio. Olson and her fellow Design Chicago panelists said they’re now seeing performance-fabric ottomans, throw pillows and trims, among other applications. Olson upholstered the blue sofa seen here in performance velvet.
This year, for the first time, one of Olson’s vendors, Holly Hunt, introduced the designer’s firm to performance rugs that act like outdoor rugs but feature the thick pile of a luxury indoor carpet. Olson sees the trend only continuing to expand into other types of textiles, and grow with more brands introducing trendier prints, colours and details such as tape trims, fringe and tassels.
Performance fabrics have come a long way from the back patio. Olson and her fellow Design Chicago panelists said they’re now seeing performance-fabric ottomans, throw pillows and trims, among other applications. Olson upholstered the blue sofa seen here in performance velvet.
This year, for the first time, one of Olson’s vendors, Holly Hunt, introduced the designer’s firm to performance rugs that act like outdoor rugs but feature the thick pile of a luxury indoor carpet. Olson sees the trend only continuing to expand into other types of textiles, and grow with more brands introducing trendier prints, colours and details such as tape trims, fringe and tassels.
Less formal living calls for heightened functionality
The evolution of performance fabrics reflects the evolution of the way homeowners live, panelists Samatas and DiSanto said at the Design Chicago presentation. Clients want their homes to function well, particularly as the way they work and live grows increasingly mobile.
Instead of the pristine formal living rooms of the past, living rooms might now be used for actual living, Olson says, thanks to advances in performance fabrics like the ones shown here on the sofa and armchairs that can handle sticky hands and muddy paws. Kids are welcome in living rooms now, ivory sofa and all. And they might actually want to hang out there even if the TV is located in the family room, Olson says, because iPads and phones can be used anywhere in the home.
The evolution of performance fabrics reflects the evolution of the way homeowners live, panelists Samatas and DiSanto said at the Design Chicago presentation. Clients want their homes to function well, particularly as the way they work and live grows increasingly mobile.
Instead of the pristine formal living rooms of the past, living rooms might now be used for actual living, Olson says, thanks to advances in performance fabrics like the ones shown here on the sofa and armchairs that can handle sticky hands and muddy paws. Kids are welcome in living rooms now, ivory sofa and all. And they might actually want to hang out there even if the TV is located in the family room, Olson says, because iPads and phones can be used anywhere in the home.
“Our generation, even recently, grew up with the idea of covering furniture in plastic: ‘You can’t go into that room’,” says Olson. “Well, that doesn’t exist anymore. No-one would ever do that now because there’s [performance fabric] like this – textiles out there that you don’t have to be worried about.”
Tell us
Are you keen to embrace performance fabrics in interiors? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
Tell us
Are you keen to embrace performance fabrics in interiors? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
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Unfortunately many “performance” fabrics may be using unhealthy and untested chemicals........
Hospitality and Healthcare have been using performance textiles for decades now, I can testify to how amazing they are. Little secret, commercial Interior Designers have been using these textiles in their own homes for about that long too.
I love the thought of these for my own personal ease but struggle as what are these performance textiles made from &/or what is the manufacturing processes like for the planet...just because we can should we?