Furnishing Fabric Fashion January/February 2019

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Furnishing Fabric Fashion
Special Considerations
There are some other factors that you should consider before you make a
selection on furniture upholstery. These have to do with the environment in
which you’ll be placing your couch. Does your room get a lot of sun or is there
any dampness? Are there pets who share the furniture with you? Does anyone
suffer from allergies?
• Fade resistance: This factor is important if it will be placed in a room that gets
plenty of sunlight or close to a window.
• Mildew resistance: Look for fabric that is mildew-resistant if you live in a humid
climate.
• Allergies: Consider fabric such as microfiber for certain allergies because it is
lint-free and does not attract dust.
• Pets: If you have pets avoid using delicate fabric such as silk or any fabric with
lots of texture. Select pet-friendly upholstery instead.
Try before you buy
The easiest way to be sure you’ll like an upholstery material on a certain frame—
and like how it feels when you sit on it—is by going with something you see in
the store
If you love a fabric that’s not shown on the floor, ask for a swatch you can drape
over a furnishing to get a better idea of how it will look. If you go with a custom
option, make sure you see a large swatch of any patterned fabrics so you see the
full motif and its complete color palette. A little due diligence will help you avoid
a big disappointing surprise once the piece is delivered to you.