Not Cut from the Same Cloth
Whether it's our Laidback Linens, Intelligent Velvets, Classic Corduroys, Mid-weight Cottons, or Heavy-weight Cotton Linen Blends, each of our fabrics have vastly different properties from one another that set them all apart. From their texture to their tone and their performance qualities, each have their own specialties. In this handy guide, we outline the differences in each of our fabrics considering which would be most suitable for you, and what are the material differences that make each one special.
Mid-Weight Organic Cotton
Our NiX Checks & Stripes
Crafted purely from organic cotton and woven in the UK on traditional looms, our mid-weight fabric patterns are born from Nicola's love of utilitarian, vintage fabrics.
Our signature NiX Check and Stripe fabrics are each woven from cotton. Soft to the touch and without stiffness. When you sit on a piece upholstered in cotton, its loose weave allows the fabric to gently adjust and stretch as you ease in to it. This looseness also affects the appearance of the fabric, showing undulating wrinkles as opposed to crisp folds. It is not only physically soft to the touch, but visually it suggests calmness. Cotton is easily a go-to fabric for upholstery because of this. Even on more complex upholstery it hugs the contours and traverses curves without awkward creasing. Cottons are often a favourite of upholsters for their easiness to work with, and their time-tested dependability.
Heavy-Weight Organic Cotton / Linen Blend
Our Substantial Slow Lane Stripes
Woven in the UK, our heavy-weight Slow Lane stripe fabrics offer the best-of-both-worlds, made from a blend of linen and cotton. The linen in the blend helps to give sharper definition to upholstery while the organic cotton gives it softness.
For this reason, our thick, heavy-weight blend is a popular alternative to a 100% linen fabric. Available in our Slow Lane fabric design, it is the heaviest and most substantial of our fabrics. Pieces upholstered in our cotton / linen blend are unblemished by creases or folds, and have much of the durability of a pure cotton. Bringing together substantial heavy-weight decadence, bold pattern, and resilient material properties, our Slow Lane fabrics pair everyday practicality with the distinctive texture of a natural linen weave. It's designer, but non-destructive.
Heavy-Weight Laidback Linen
Simple, Dependable & 100% Linen
A simple and dependable fabric. Woven, dyed and tumbled in Italy, our linen is available in a range of colours selected to work perfectly alongside our NiX checks and stripes.
Linens are among some of the oldest fabrics in the world and have long been the symbol of luxury upholstery. The structure of the weave in linens is instantly recognisable, visibly revealing the natural fibres that make up the material. This loose weave creates a particularly breathable material, not only making linen well suited to warmer climates, but also giving linen cushions a softness that affords a relaxing sink when you sit back.
The ability of linen to hold pleats and folds tightly makes it one of the best fabric options for detailed upholstery. Our Curtain Call sofa does particularly well in linen; the skirt hangs loosely, with enough weight in the fabric to hold the shape, the pleating on the backrest stays sharp and refined. As true for the Curtain Call as it is for any other traditional upholstery, there will always be some poetry in matching a heritage design with such age-old material as linen.
Heavy-Weight Intelligent Velvet
Durable & Stain Resistant
Our intelligent velvet is soft yet resilient. It's made in Italy from 28% recycled yarns and is a gorgeous but amazingly durable material that is stain-resistant and entirely washable.
If your upholstery is subject to the grubbiness and spillages of pets or children, then having a stain-resistant fabric is critical. A low pile fabric avoids the perils of dirt getting rubbed in, and the 'intelligent' finish of our velvets ensures those dastardly spillages will just sit on the surface to be easily wiped off. Unlike many other velvets, our intelligent velvets are incredibly durable. This material can withstand an impressive amount of use and will continue to look fresh for years to come without showing signs of wear. For this reason we can always recommended our velvets without the fear of damage.
Considering how glamorous and visually delicate velvets are, the extent of our materials durability can be a surprise. This material challenges the norm for high performance fabrics, and goes to show that sophistication and practicality don't need to be mutually exclusive. Our intelligent velvet is a modern update for velvets; just as soft, and keeping the signature velvety sheen, intelligent velvet has the look of a classic but none of the fuss.
Heavy-Weight Classic Corduroy
Textured & Extravagant
Soft and luxurious, our classic corduroy adds deep colour and warmth to your upholstery. It is woven in the UK and available in a variety of luxurious colours. Our corduroy is another durable choice, and is full of character.
The first thing to fall in love with is the natural patina. As it is not a flat weave, corduroy has a much deeper pile than most fabrics, and while this depth gives it greater tactility and softness, it makes it susceptible to a process called bruising. This bruising is something to be embraced; it frees up the fabric from looking stiff and new, and it becomes the charming fingerprint that makes your upholstery entirely unique to you.
Soft ridges in the fabric give corduroy the characteristic stripes that differentiate it from typical plane fabrics. The pattern of these rows becomes even more beautiful when they catch the light, giving the material an elaborate sheen across the surface, with deep dark contrast and glistening highlights. Casual and informal, corduroy is a perfect choice for achieving a cosy vintage look, and when the glamour of velvet would be a little too serious for your relaxed space. Corduroy is an incredibly inviting material. Thick, plush and heavy. It sets quite a statement, and in our bold selection of rich colours it is an ideal choice for using on accent pieces and impactful interiors.
In Summary...
To choose the right fabrics for your project you will need to decide on the aesthetic you are after, the textures you enjoy, and understand what conditions and stresses your upholstery will have to endure. But it is worth noting; you don't need to have one fabric all over. Consider combining a seat cushion in one fabric with a frame in another.
- Cottons are the classic choice. Available in a whole range of patterns, they are endlessly style-able
- Cotton / linen blends are dependable and substantial heavy weight fabrics that hold shape even when being used heavily
- Linens have long been recognised as a very refined choice, a symbol of luxury. They are well suited to more traditional pieces, and work brilliantly to stay cool in warmer settings
- Velvets are very sophisticated and contemporary. If you're ever worried about damage, our intelligent velvets are a very safe option
- Corduroys are excellent for creating statement, cosy interiors with a touch of vintage charm
- For scatter cushions, performance is not really a problem, it's more about texture and taste!
- If you still can't decide, speak to a member of our team, or order some free swatches to get a feel for the material yourself
