When interior designer Margaret Donaldson first learned that she was being asked to use Sunbrella fabrics to decorate rooms of a major magazine idea home, her response was less than enthusiastic.
"My perception was that Sunbrella was a product that was great for outdoors, but that the patterns and colors were so limited that the only place you would use them was outdoors," said Donaldson, ASID, owner of Margaret Donaldson Interiors of Charleston, S.C. "I also believed that the hand of Sunbrella fabrics was such that you would not want to use them indoors. They just weren't soft enough."
In preparation for this project, Donaldson was invited to visit the Sunbrella fabrics showroom in High Point, N.C. to review the newest generation of Sunbrella fabrics for interior applications. Through innovative yarn combinations, jacquard weaving and advanced fabric finishes, the newest Sunbrella offerings are designed to rival the finest of interior fabrics.
"After visiting the showroom and working with Sunbrella for the Charleston idea house, I have totally changed my outlook," Donaldson said. "I was totally shocked, surprised and pleased with the patterns, colors and textures of the new Sunbrella fabrics that were just what I needed for interiors of the show home.
"In fact, I recently used Sunbrella velvet to cover two antique reproduction wing chairs in a home in the historic district of Charleston," she said. "The Sunbrella velvet is right next to an antique sofa in a formal drawing room. You cannot get more traditional or high-end design than that."
Donaldson is one of a growing number of interior designers who have long considered Sunbrella fabrics as only suitable for outdoor furniture. That perception is understandable given the fact that Sunbrella, first introduced in 1960 for awnings, has been the leading premium fabric for casual furniture since the early 1980s and has earned a reputation for durability.
Donaldson and others are changing their perceptions and their applications of Sunbrella fabrics based on new introductions that resemble linen, silk, chenille, velvet and damask. Even with the new design sense and softer touch, these Sunbrella fabrics are just as fade resistant, easy to clean and durable as Sunbrella fabrics used for outdoor cushions.
"Sunbrella has stepped into the world of designer fabrics," said Phillip Sides who owns an interior design business in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and who also directed a major magazine idea home this year using Sunbrella fabrics. "It is a whole different product than what I have always thought of as basically an awning or outdoor fabric. With the new technology behind Sunbrella, it is amazing what you can do with it."
In completing his show home project, Sides used a number of Sunbrella fabrics, including Sunbrella Sheers, one of the newest Sunbrella introductions that has all of the look and feel of a traditional sheer fabric, yet won't fade in harsh sunlight.
"I am amazed at how they have changed the hand (feel) of the fabric," Sides said. "The first thing I do when I am working with a new fabric is rub it against my face and if it feels right, I go with it. The new Sunbrella feels great and that goes a long way with my clients."
Kelly McCombs, an interior designer based in Seattle, is also a recent convert to Sunbrella after her experience decorating a West Coast show home.
"My impression before of Sunbrella was just the solids and stripes that you see outdoors," said McCombs, owners of Timeless Interiors. "My thinking about Sunbrella has made a complete turn-around after working on this project in which I used Sunbrella for a bedroom. Sunbrella has always been the best fabric for outdoors, but with the new styling and hand, it is perfect for inside as well."
As the owner of two Border Collies, McCombs sees the advantages of using Sunbrella inside the home.
"Many of my customers also have dogs, and they want a fabric they don't have to worry about," she said. "Sunbrella fills that need very nicely. I am even planning to use it in my own furniture line."
Joe Ruggiero, one of the country's leading home furnishings authorities, was among the first to see the potential of Sunbrella as an interior fabric, creating his own collection of Sunbrella fabrics to complement his furniture creations for Norwalk Furniture. Ruggiero's Sunbrella fabrics are also available at Calico Corners, a leading fabrics and furniture retailer, and Silver State Textiles, a fabrics resource to the trade.
"What is so incredible is the technology behind Sunbrella, which means that I can do anything I want from a design standpoint," Ruggiero said. "I feel as if we are just scratching the surface as to the styling, color and performance we can achieve with the Sunbrella brand. The sky is the limit."
As Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, the makers of Sunbrella fabrics, continues to push the envelope on styling and performance, interior designers and their customers are being drawn to the new fabrics.
"After I completed my idea home, I was anxious to get more Sunbrella samples for my interior design customers because I can sell these fabrics without blinking an eye," Donaldson said. "People know the Sunbrella name and that it is durable and easy to clean. Now, if they can get a Sunbrella fabric that looks and feels as good as designer fabrics then why wouldn't they want to use it inside their homes?"
