FOCUS ON FABRICS:
Keeping you “in the know”

by the Fabric Showrooms at
Michigan Design Center

Fabrics are one of the most important components of room design. The wrong fabric on the right sofa can be disastrous, and not necessarily because it is the wrong color. While color, pattern and texture are all important, interior designers are trained to also consider durability, stain-resistance, fade-resistance and, particularly for commercial furnishings, flame-resistance.

With so many fabrics available, it is sometimes hard to know where to begin, which is why interior designers love having a resource like Michigan Design Center available. MDC boasts over 9 showrooms that specialize in fabrics so we went right to the source to let you know some of the hottest trends in fabrics. MDC showroom managers and staff are also a great resource for information about fabric applications. Here are some of the hot trends our showrooms are currently featuring and think you should be “in the know” about:

	Hinson's "Stire" indoor / outdoor from Rozmallin, Suite 60
	Pollack's "Hang Ten" sheer from Tennant & Associates, Suite 61
	Pindler & Pindler's "Signature Exclusive Hearst Castle" documentary from Pindler & Pindler, Suite 69
	Lelievre's colorful "Eolienne" from Stark Carpet / Old World Weavers, Suite 30

INDOOR / OUTDOOR FABRICS
Indoor / outdoor collections are one of the hottest trends in fabric because they are perfect in outdoor situations where fading, dirt and mildew are real issues, but more and more designers are seeing the benefit of also utilizing these fabrics indoors in the kitchen, family room...even the dining room! Solution-dyed acrylics are colorfast, easy to clean and wear like iron. Exciting new colors and designs are now being offered by favorites like Scalamandré, F. Schumacher & Co., Conrad, Sunbrella, Duralee and more. You’ll be amazed at many of the phenomenal wovens, textures and even chenilles that are now available as indoor / outdoor fabrics. This is one trend that is here to stay!

SHEERS
The newest trend in window treatments is sheers and, to a lesser extent, their heavier cousins, casements. Many are available in extra-wide widths to accommodate larger windows. New colors and patterns are popping up at an astonishing rate and you will not be able to resist them! Window treatments are becoming softer and less staged, and sheers are an important part of this trend.

Keep in mind that sheers can also be used for more than window treatments. Many can be backed and applied to upholstery for a stunning new look. Kravet Couture offers a mohair sheer that is absolutely luxe when backed and used as a comforter or accent pillow. When you use your imagination, the options are limitless!

DOCUMENTARIES
Documentaries are an adaptation of an antique fabric design, usually authorized by a museum. Most documentaries are created with an updated color palette and scale for a look that never goes out of style. One of the best-known documentary series is the Signature Exclusive Hearst Castle Collection at Pindler & Pindler. Every fabric showroom offers their own selection of documentaries – some with the original designs dating back several hundred years. For the classicist, documentaries are the way to go.

TEXTURE
Who can resist touching a lush velvet or mohair? Texture is always important, but what makes this a fresh feature is the quality of the blends – they just keep getting better. Today’s blending of natural and man-made materials produces a natural look at a lower cost. Be sure to look for these textured blends the next time you are looking for fabric, you will be surprised at what you see.

COLORS
The fashion industry helps set the stage for colors but home furnishings require a lighter touch. Colors that make you stand out in a crowd would be nothing short of garish in your home. Fabric designers interpret these color trends a little differently for the home by calming brighter colors and warming up others.

So what is new in color? We have all seen the prevalence of browns and blues but we are starting to see brown combined with new colors like yellow / green, coral or pink. Orange tones, across the board, have come into vogue as well. Bright, sherbet tones in orange and lime are also very popular. Black, white and neutrals never seem to go out of style and are always a safe bet – but who wants to play it safe?

The decisions you make regarding fabric will have ripple effects into every aspect of your home design. Smart interior designers keep up with fabric trends and know just where to look to find what they need – the showrooms of Michigan Design Center. To find out more about all of the fabulous fabrics available at Michigan Design Center, visit us with your interior designer or call 1.888.DIAL.MDC for help in finding a designer.