Gorgeous Outdoor Fabrics: Too Many Choices!! : Annie Elliott Design

I am stuck, Gentle Readers.

I am working on a porch and poolside patio right now, and I CAN. NOT. CHOOSE. a fabric direction.

This is not the porch in question; we did this one a few years ago. Natelli Homes is responsible for the beautiful architecture, the sofas and chairs are from Century Furniture, and the fabric for the custom pillows are from Peter Dunham Textiles

A huge part of my job is narrowing options for my clients, so this situation is rather embarrassing. Fabric will be a major design element — we need custom seat cushions, pillows, and tablecloths. But there are so many amazing outdoor fabrics on the market, it’s impossible to choose!

Did you know that the iconic Chiang Mai is available in an outdoor fabric in an all-blues colorway? Well, it IS! We can’t use it for this project as the house and garage are blue…but since everyone loves blue and white, I thought you should know about it ;)

Schumacher, Citrus Garden by Josef Frank

I can’t believe that Josef Frank’s Citrus Garden comes in an outdoor version. He designed it in 1947, but the pattern is still so fresh and pretty…a few years ago, we used it in a client’s bedroom.

Dreamy, wouldn’t you say? Photo by Angie Seckinger

For this project, we have 3 seating areas by the pool and 2 on the porch. A different designer would choose a fabric for everything and call it a day, but you know me better than that ;)

Schumacher, Loop de Loop. A little more sophisticated than high-end preppy

Yeah, baby. The 1960s-ish Pisces Print by Schumacher

I think we should choose 2 “anchor” fabrics, and then I’ll build out the design with complementary geometric, solid, and/or striped fabric. I don’t see how we can use fewer than 5…and don’t get me started on trim. That’s right: outdoor trim!

Lee Jofa has some amazing outdoor fabrics. I especially like Kelly Wearstler’s; this one is called Vertex

Ha! Didn’t think you’d catch me recommending something beige and black, did you? But this is so fabulous! Kelly Wearstler’s Zuma for Lee Jofa

For instant gratification, here are a few outdoor pillows you can buy right now, no interior designer required!

The Ellison lumbar pillow by Celerie Kemble, also from One King’s Lane

This past winter, the pandemic forced us outside to socialize, bundled up and crowded around fire pits. Now that the weather is breaking and we want to be outside, let’s make sure our surroundings match our lifting spirits. We have plenty of options.

Annie Elliott Design is based in Washington, DC, with satellite offices in St. Michaels, Maryland and in Middlebury, Vermont. Annie’s design work and insights have appeared in numerous local and national publications, including HGTV Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Washingtonian Magazine. She recently appeared on NBC4 to discuss a project done 100% during the pandemic.