These textiles and furnishings will make your living room a little more life-proof
Steven Sabados on how to get livable luxury with fabrics that can live up to your busy life
Investing in a sofa can be rather intimidating – it's pricey and often a focal point of your living room, not to mention it gets a lot of wear and tear. Naturally, the longer-lasting, the better, so it comes as no surprise that designer Steven Sabados always gets asked, "What fabric should I use on my sofa if I want it to last forever?" Thankfully, progress is being made with performance fabrics, meaning that fabrics are more durable, more attractive and offer more longevity for furniture and textiles than ever before. That's why this is a fantastic time to learn all about what fabric options are out there before shopping for rugs, textiles and furniture.
Olefin
Olefin is such a soft fabric. It's made of polypropylene, which means that this fiber is made of the same material as many plastic products. These fabrics are easy to clean, durable, fade-resistant and won't fuzz or pill. You'll find this material often in area rugs and carpets.
Crypton
Crypton is a coating added to fabric to prevent it from becoming stained. It inhibits the growth of bacteria and prevents the fabric from absorbing smells. You can even dump wine on this fabric, and it will wipe right off – it's basically a miracle fabric.
Colourfast
This term means fabric is very fade resistant. It's most common in outdoor fabrics that see a lot of sunshine. It refers to how resistant the color or dye within the fabric is to being removed over time.
Livable luxury
Using these fabrics, Steven pulled together a whole room with livable luxury in mind, and it's the perfect example of how you can build a room that is beautiful, formal, and luxurious – but also life-proof. Everything pictured will stand up to wear and tear and the occasional wine spill.
Performance fabric seating
Long gone are the days where we have spaces reserved for 'grown-ups' or spots cordoned off from the family pet. This couch is perfect for when you have pets because the performance fibre is built in. If you can't or don't want to get new furniture but need the performance of the material, bring in new pieces slowly, reupholster or add slipcovers made of performance fabrics to your existing furniture. Retail stores are catching up but it is still easier to find performance fabrics at a fabric supplier than through a furniture retailer.
Distressed finishes
These finishes are perfect for families with kids of any age. This coffee table has very formal lines, but it's made to look like an antique, even though it's not. Opt for finishes and details that will disguise wear and tear, such as weathered wood, hammered metal and pieces with studs. Stay away from furniture with a high lacquer finish or crisp edges because they might not keep their sheen or line for long if you have a hectic household. As Steven says, distressed items can still feel luxe if you opt for classic shapes and lines.
Classy hidden storage
These jars look antique, but they're actually inexpensive reproductions. Steven loves their weighty feel and thinks that even an accidental chip will only add to their beauty. Throw in dog treats, kids toys, change, or that remote you can never keep track off. Because they're inexpensive, you'll want to put them to work.
Artificial flowers
Everything in the room is built to last, including the flowers. Faux blooms are a great investment compared to the real thing since they cannot be destroyed, and never need to be watered! Take your time shopping and invest in blooms that look real. You can even fill a clear vase with a hardening lacquer to create the illusion of a vase full of water! Stick with simple arrangements, and they'll look more convincing.
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