I just can't get enough of great bright colored fabrics in outdoor spaces - and there is no shortage of choices lately. My favorites are the Trina Turk outdoor fabrics by Shumacher... fabulous!
So many great choices.......___________________________________________________________
The Casual Furniture Market
Although trends come and go -- and come again -- the best thing about them is that there is generally something to appeal to everyone. Helping your customers coordinate the latest trends with their existing pieces is a strategy that should really resonate with them in today’s challenging economy.
Reinventing your fabric offerings is a simple and effective way to accomplish this. Casual Living magazine reports three outdoor fabric trends to dominate throughout 2010 and into 2011: durable fabrics that can be used inside and out, splashes of saturated color and amped up pattern play.
A blessed union
Today, consumers are demanding outdoor fabrics with as many styles and choices as there are for indoors. The dual indoor/outdoor use of fabrics is, in fact, cited as a factor in the growth of the durability category.
The main goal is to find textiles that retain their visual appeal and withstand wear in spite of the elements. Real Simple magazine suggests that the best fabrics for outdoor use are solution-dyed acrylic, UV-protected polyester and woven mesh because of their mildew- and fade-resistance. Indoor furniture buyers are actually becoming interested in outdoor fabrics for the same reasons, as homes with small children demand stain-resistant pieces and rooms with ample sunlight require fabrics that won’t fade. More and more manufacturers are attempting to unite indoor and outdoor living by offering beautiful, durable and cleanable fabrics for any environment.
Color me vibrant
Designers are also welcoming bold new color choices for 2011, in opposition to a lingering case of the economic blahs. The dynamic color palette on the horizon will surely incite feelings of positivity and inject vibrancy into any living space.
Ellen Gefen, trend forecaster and author of thehome.com, says a known decorating technique of experts is to pair foundational pieces in neutrals with accents in pops of color. Taking her cues from the fashion realm, she relays current "it" colors to include orange, peacock blue, purple, indigo, pink and black and white. Michelle Lamb, editor of The Trend Curve, forecasts accents playing out in color-infused jewel tones such as turquoise, citrine and pink tourmaline. Pantone has likewise declared turquoise to be the color of 2010.
Go global
On hgtv.com, writer and interior design consult Holly Becker proposes "going global without ever leaving your home" by incorporating ethnic prints and patterns. According to Casual Living, fabric patterns right now are trending toward transitional and modern designs with Southwest, ethnic and travel influences showing up everywhere. Animal prints are also being resurrected in new ways and colors. Gefen believes butterfly and insect motifs will become popular again. As she says, "There is not just one trend. There is a trend for everyone."
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Holly Hunt Aqua Velvet Duralee outdoor stripe Duralee outdoor octopus