Command Performance
“Performance is the 21st-century must have. From phones to cars to clothing to kitchen appliances and TVs, we expect more and demand more. Home fabric is no exception. Color that won’t quickly fade, whites that won’t easily stain, and warranty-worthy durability are today’s new normal.”
—Louise Cullen Robinson, VP Creative Development, Richloom Fabrics Group
Friends:
Greetings from the Madcap Cottage gents, Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke, your Calico “hosts with the most.” In this week’s blog, we tackle the topic of performance fabrics.
Once geared largely to commercial interiors, performance fabrics often had a heavy “hand”—aka, the feel of the fabric against your skin—and lacked the design elements that spoke to the residential market. But that was then. Today, performance fabrics are residential staples that are packed with pizzazz, are easy to clean, and are engineered to retain their good looks, both indoors and out. Performance fabrics guard against stain and sun—not to mention muddy dog paws, kids, red wine spills, and so much more.
Performance doesn’t mean you have to skimp on style. Just take a look at the stunning Justina Blakeney Performance Fabrics with Crypton collection.
“Early on, we had to educate our consumers to the benefits of performance fabrics,” notes Ginny VanOsdol, the general manager of Calico Tampa. “Now, performance solids are our top sellers. Customers come in and specifically ask for Crypton, Sensuede, and the other performance brands. And with the introduction of designer brands such as Justina Blakeney, performance fabrics now boast amazing patterns that are engaging new audiences.”
It’s all about living a life with style but without the fuss.
Says Justina, “Performance fabrics take the worry out of everyday living and entertaining. It means you don’t have to choose between beautiful furnishings and pets or kids.”
But which performance fabric is right to you?
The talented teams at Calico outposts from coast to coast can guide you to the perfect fabric based upon your needs.
For example, Sunbrella works for both indoor and outdoor applications and can be spot cleaned with soap and water or with bleach. It is suitable for heavy-duty use and has moderate resistance to pilling. Polyester prints and wovens are for indoor-outdoor use too, but do not clean them with bleach. Crypton is for heavy-duty indoor use, as is Sensuede and the faux leathers. Whew! For more information, turn to the Calico “Comparing Performance Fabrics” chart to find out which fabric is right for you!
Thanks to Crypton, bring on the red wine. No problem!
John and I are big fans of the beautifully priced Fortress line of performance fabrics from Richloom that boasts a very soft hand.
“Performance fabrics have seen a rise in popularity as today’s lifestyles have become more fast paced,” says Louise Cullen Robinson, Richloom Fabrics Group’s engaging VP Creative Development. “Whether for guests or the family, performance fabrics with their ‘easy to clean’ properties make entertaining easy. Performance fabrics’ intrinsic water repellency and high durability make them the perfect ‘basic’ for one’s decorating needs.”
But back to us.
We grew up with Italian grandparents who slip covered their entire living room in clear plastic to within an inch of its life. Every chair, loveseat, and rocker. We were constantly being shooed into the kitchen and told that living rooms were for guests and most decidedly NOT for children. If only our grandparents were around today, their living room would have assuredly been “performanced” and we wouldn’t have had to spend our childhood under foot in the kitchen pantry. How far we have come!
