Tandine Rawkins talks about the range and development of luxury outdoor fabrics.
Your house might just be looking the bees knees but perhaps now is the time that your garden gets a little injection of style too.
Your outdoor space is an extension of your home, after all, and a great place to socialise and extend those lazy summer parties into the long warm nights.
Much like the indoors will reflect your personality, it’s time to take your individuality outside, banishing those repetitive manufactured styles and opting for something a little more luxurious for your lawn area. Ditch thoughts of boring colours and harsh fabrics and turn your mind to something a lot more decadent.
Outdoor fabrics have come a long way in recent years, in terms of design and practicality. They are now designed to endure the best and worst of the British summer and many have certain elements such as being lightfast to ensure the colour doesn’t fade.
Even the weakest of exposure to the summer sun can affect fabrics that have no aspect of UV protection or lightfastness. What could start the season as a vibrant colour might end it looking tired and washed out when exposed to the best and worst of the British weather. Ensure the fabric of your choice is not only lightfast but also copes well with the odd summer shower, resulting in it looking as good in September as it did in April.
Design options
When you think of outdoor fabrics think soft, deep pile, textured chenille; luxurious sculptured acrylic textiles or luminescent printed acrylic that transforms into a night-time sensation as darkness falls.
Fit for purpose fabrics
Fabrics that are as versatile as they are stylish add extravagance and an air of indulgence to your garden and also work equally well on board a yacht. Soft to touch and vibrant in colour, design and range, quality outdoor fabrics add sophistication to any social situation. Styles, designs and fabric choices that reflect your personality and taste are more readily available than you might think.
British brand, Extex, leads the way for UK outdoor fabrics with over 40 years of textile industry experience. The company has pioneered advances in fabrics that ensures you get the most resilient outdoor materials available, while offering a range of stylish options too. The practicalities of outdoor fabrics need to be considered but fortunately a good specialist will only leave you with the challenge of what style to choose.
As well as looking great, you will want to know that your outdoor fabric of choice is perfect for your situation. Interestingly, Extex fabrics are porous, not waterproof, specifically allowing moisture to easily evaporate through the material letting the cushion dry and making the fabric breathable. This means when you sit on it on a hot and humid day it is far more comfortable and feels cooler. So, porosity is a word that should be near the top of your list when choosing an outdoor fabric.
Any fabric exposed to the variables of British weather for any length of time will need to be resistant to mildew growth. Extex fabrics will not support mildew growth, as with any fabric, a level of care ensures you get the most from it – regular cleaning with a soft brush will maintain the plushness of the pile.
The resplendence and luxurious look and feel of the fabrics can also be maintained through treatment with a durable fabric protector, which acts as a washable soil, stain and water repellent treatment. The invisible barrier forms a shield around the individual fibres guarding against oil and water-based stains, dust and general soiling.
Maintaining the protection that these elements offer requires just a little consideration to ensure that they continue to protect the look, feel and longevity of the fabric for years to come. Hand or machine washing to a maximum of 40°C on a delicate cycle using a mild or natural detergent will also prolong the look and feel.
Make it personal
Choosing a luxurious outdoor fabric gives you the opportunity to set apart your individual style, ensuring you can customise it to whatever garden furniture or yacht arrangements you have. You can adorn your outdoor living space with luxurious fabrics that look as stylish and individual as you are, and those you would happily choose for inside the home. Extex has a bold and vibrant colour range, with chic designs and fabrics that look and feel opulent helping you achieve the garden you’ve always desired.
