Go ahead and curl up with that red wine on your white sofa, and pass the kids the ketchup on your best dining room chairs. Lifestyle expert Elizabeth Mayhew says the latest outdoor fabrics are stain-resistant, yet nice enough to use indoors. She was invited to appear on "Today" to share a look at some of the latest fashions. Here's more on the items she mentions on the show:
Many people think outdoor fabric is stiff, plastic-to-the-touch and generally uncomfortable for indoor furniture. But developments in fabric technology and dying techniques allow manufacturers to put water-resistant (and ultimately stain-resistant) properties in the fabric before it's woven, instead of using topical treatments that give outdoor fabrics that plastic feel.
These new fabrics are mostly solution-dyed acrylics that feel like cotton. Consequently, the outdoor fabric market has exploded, with great designs and colors available from a number of companies (both retail and to the trade). The end result: Soft, stylish and, best of all, stain-resistant fabrics you can use anywhere in your home.
If you're having custom pillows made for indoor-use only, Elizabeth Mayhew recommends a pillow filler meant for indoor use (like down). If you plan on using the pillows indoors and outdoors, you should use foam.
Fabric sources for items on the show:
- Perennials, 888-322-4773; www.perennialsfabrics.com
Island Coral, #140-119 in Scuba Do (on background panel)
Row Stripe, #100-01 in moss and pistachio (on background panel)
Origami, #770-58 in lily pad (on pillow) - Polo Ralph Lauren, 888-475-7674;
www.rlhome.polo.com/rlhome/products/fabric/outdoor.asp
Cape Ann Floral in Blue, #LFY29612F
Pillows from the American Outdoors Collection - Hinson, Indoor/Outdoor Collection, 212-688-5538
Trellis Stripe, #HW-0853-KB (on background panel)
Reversible Dots, #HW-0851-KB - Great Outdoors/Holly Hunt, 212-755-6555; www.hollyhunt.com/
Montauk, #101-01 in white (on pillow)
Melrose Braid trim, #6001A/04 (on pillow)
Breakers, #107-05 in moody blue (on pillow)
Coastline, #103-06 in chocolate/aquatic (on dining chair) - Ballard Designs, 800-536-7551; www.ballarddesigns.com
Sofa covered in Outdoor Mediterranean Floral, $16/yard
Ottoman covered in Outdoor Celery Fabric, $16/yard - West Elm, 888-922-4199; www.westelm.com
Batik flower pillow cover, $19 each - Outdoorfabrics.com, www.outdoorfabrics.com; 800-640-3539
Standard Shower Curtain, $99 plus cost of fabric (4.5 yards)
Baystripe, #503, $19.95/yard#669230, $13.95/yard - To buy to-the-trade fabric, call Design Professionals 212-759-6894.