Performance Fabrics: Goof Proof

Life is messy. Give your child a chocolate ice cream cone and he drops it. The doorbell rings, your dog gets excited and wets the sofa. And lovable Aunt Tillie, who talks with her hands, always spills red wine on the dining room chairs.

Until recently, your choice was either upholstery that looked like it belonged in a hospital waiting room or attractive fabrics that made you paranoid about the stains and spots that come with everyday life.

What if you could have upholstery that looked like it came out of a designer showroom but could resist whatever kids, dogs and clumsy adults dish out? And what if the fabrics on your outdoor furniture looked as fashionable as the upholstery inside?

Thanks to recent textile technology, you can have it all. Performance fabrics can repel stains, shun germs and resist fading. They cost more, but they last longer and may be cheaper in the long run.

Although some of these fabrics have been available for years, they've only recently started to look better and feel softer.

It's easier than ever to go to a furniture store and custom-order performance fabrics on new furniture. At the past two International Home Furnishings Markets, performance fabrics were the big buzz. At the April market, Hickory Hill and Norwalk displayed Sunbrella fabrics prominently. Other manufacturers, from La-Z-

more: azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/home/articles/0821su (200)

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