Wirral Life August 2019 | Page 70

INTERIOR INSPIRATION BY KATE KINGSTON Kate Kingston, Managing Director of Kingston Shaw, an award winning interior design company with offices on the Wirral, London and Dubai, shares with us the latest trends for creating the perfect home. MATERIAL MATTERS - A GUIDE TO PURCHASING OUTDOOR FABRICS 2. SOLUTION-DYED ACRYLIC OR SOLUTION-DYED OLEFIN These fabrics are more durable and are often used for awnings. Because these fabrics get their colour from solution dyed fibres before they are spun into fabrics drastically reduces fading from UV rays. The summer finally arrived in July for three days, the UK sweltered under a tropical sun, we all moved outside and became a nation that could make plans for exterior activities and we lived the outdoor life. Now we are in August, the rain has returned and once more we will do the dance of 'in out shake the cushions all about!' At Kingston Shaw we have researched outdoor fabrics thoroughly and have come up with our definitive guide which I would like to share with you. Firstly there are outdoor fabrics and then there are outdoor fabrics, as with most things in life you pay for what you get. Many promises are made about the longevity of a fabric but what should you look for in a fabric to use externally. Firstly, choose a fabric that has been treated to be waterproof and UV Resistant. Some kind of anti-stain treatment is a must! Lovina fabric from www.designersguild.com. 3. PVC (POLYVINYL CHLORIDE) MESH PVC Mesh fabric is commonly used in sling-style outdoor furniture, pool chairs and patio chairs that have a plastic-like basket weave appearance. Water can pass through them, they dry quickly, and most are fade resistant. Because PVC mesh doesn’t stretch, they do not require any cushioning underneath for support - it can be simply attached to a metal or wood furniture frame. Fabric available from Porto Negro Mesh Fabrics www.profabrics.co.uk. 4. MARINE VINYL Marine vinyl typically has a leather-look and can be used for boat or automotive upholstery, and are ideal for using outside as they are pretty indestructible. These fabrics can simply be wiped clean as needed, rarely fade, but be warned you don’t want to sit on them with bare legs on a very hot day! Ouch! Marine Fabrics From www.sunbrella.com. Finally, don’t forget to dress your floor, an outdoor rug is a great investment and a wonderful way to add even more colour with fabrics in your outdoor space. Check out the rugs at www.therugseller.co.uk. There are four main materials that can be used successfully outdoors: 1. POLYESTER Great for occasional use on cushions etc, they are only tested for 500 hours of sunlight, so will fade if not brought in. This outdoor toucan cushion is available from maisondumonde.com. 70 wirrallife.com Whatever the weather throws at us, for those of us who are lucky enough to have outdoor spaces, how lovely to be able to dress the space with pretty things that are also fit for purpose. Happy Solar Lounging!