One of the hottest trends in decorating today is the concept of "the Outdoor Room." In this process, the home's outdoor spaces are decorated with fashion, design, and coloration while allowing for the ability to withstand the elements. Making this exterior decorating possible is what the industry calls performance fabrics and fibers. With the use of these fabrics, fibers and finishes, outdoor living spaces are becoming the showplaces of many homes. Why not take the features that make outdoor furnishings last long, look great, and feel relaxing and bring them to the indoors? Performance, plus fashion, plus comfort, equals durable decor... it's not just for the outdoors anymore!

Performance -- The use of performance fibers and fabrics is not a new concept. However, with the latest advancements and introduction of such revolutionary yarns as DuraCord(R), performance has risen to a new level. Outdoor fibers are constructed to resist fading due to solution dying during the creation of the fibers. As in the case of DuraCord(R), this type of fiber also resists staining due to a low moisture regain. Stains can not set in as the fibers are non-absorbent. Although the fibers work to resist mildew, cleaning still is a breeze with soap and water or with a bleach-and-water solution for tougher stains. The solution dyed fabrics and yarns are colorfast and are not affected by bleach use. How better to cover that indoor sofa than with fabrics that can sit in the window and never fade or cleanup with ease from that spilled wine during pizza and movie night?

Fashion -- Bringing outdoor fabric inside used to mean color pallets of the many shades of twigs and moss. Even less was available in design choices. This just isn't the case anymore as performance fabrics are now ablaze with coloration and original art designs. "Fabrics, like DuraCord(R), offer beautiful original designs in multiple motifs, from bold stripes to intricate jacquard prints," states Bill Rosso, president, Nags Head Hammocks. "Many styles give the customer the option of using the rocker, rugs or seating set anywhere in the home." This versatility is due to the manufacturers following indoor color trends as much as outdoor trends.

Comfort -- Until recently, performance outdoor fabrics and fibers have had the reputation of having a comfort level similar to sitting on Great Aunt Effie's plastic couch covers. Not so now... all good decor, indoors or out, incorporates lasting comfort. Soft woven designs equaling the hand of cotton are available with durability as a bonus. Delustering and tazlinizing, or teasing, of the fibers in yarn creation results in this soft, perfect-for-curling-up, comfortable feel. "The softness feature is most requested in lounging furniture to outdoor rugs," states J.R. Pelletier, manager of TheHammockCompany.com. "But lounging is not just found on the deck." Retailers are finding that comfort coupled with durability is being requested for unique interior spaces such as libraries with large windows or busy bonus rooms.

Durable decor is not only a trend that is gaining popularity with homeowners nationwide. It also makes good sense. When it comes to pricing it is on par with indoor pieces with lead times often shorter due to seasonal demands requiring the stocking of inventories. The long-lasting, good-looking, and comfortable features found in decorating for outdoor spaces is finding its way to the indoors without any compromise on color, design, or comfort. Durable decor... it's not just for outdoors anymore.

One of the hottest trends in decorating today is the concept of "the Outdoor Room." In this process, the home's outdoor spaces are decorated with fashion, design, and coloration while allowing for the ability to withstand the elements. Making this exterior decorating possible is what the industry calls performance fabrics and fibers. With the use of these fabrics, fibers and finishes, outdoor living spaces are becoming the showplaces of many homes. Why not take the features that make outdoor furnishings last long, look great, and feel relaxing and bring them to the indoors? Performance, plus fashion, plus comfort, equals durable decor... it's not just for the outdoors anymore!

Performance -- The use of performance fibers and fabrics is not a new concept. However, with the latest advancements and introduction of such revolutionary yarns as DuraCord(R), performance has risen to a new level. Outdoor fibers are constructed to resist fading due to solution dying during the creation of the fibers. As in the case of DuraCord(R), this type of fiber also resists staining due to a low moisture regain. Stains can not set in as the fibers are non-absorbent. Although the fibers work to resist mildew, cleaning still is a breeze with soap and water or with a bleach-and-water solution for tougher stains. The solution dyed fabrics and yarns are colorfast and are not affected by bleach use. How better to cover that indoor sofa than with fabrics that can sit in the window and never fade or cleanup with ease from that spilled wine during pizza and movie night?

Fashion -- Bringing outdoor fabric inside used to mean color pallets of the many shades of twigs and moss. Even less was available in design choices. This just isn't the case anymore as performance fabrics are now ablaze with coloration and original art designs. "Fabrics, like DuraCord(R), offer beautiful original designs in multiple motifs, from bold stripes to intricate jacquard prints," states Bill Rosso, president, Nags Head Hammocks. "Many styles give the customer the option of using the rocker, rugs or seating set anywhere in the home." This versatility is due to the manufacturers following indoor color trends as much as outdoor trends.

Comfort -- Until recently, performance outdoor fabrics and fibers have had the reputation of having a comfort level similar to sitting on Great Aunt Effie's plastic couch covers. Not so now... all good decor, indoors or out, incorporates lasting comfort. Soft woven designs equaling the hand of cotton are available with durability as a bonus. Delustering and tazlinizing, or teasing, of the fibers in yarn creation results in this soft, perfect-for-curling-up, comfortable feel. "The softness feature is most requested in lounging furniture to outdoor rugs," states J.R. Pelletier, manager of TheHammockCompany.com. "But lounging is not just found on the deck." Retailers are finding that comfort coupled with durability is being requested for unique interior spaces such as libraries with large windows or busy bonus rooms.

Durable decor is not only a trend that is gaining popularity with homeowners nationwide. It also makes good sense. When it comes to pricing it is on par with indoor pieces with lead times often shorter due to seasonal demands requiring the stocking of inventories. The long-lasting, good-looking, and comfortable features found in decorating for outdoor spaces is finding its way to the indoors without any compromise on color, design, or comfort. Durable decor... it's not just for outdoors anymore.

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