Mat er ia ls—C h a r acter ist ics a nd Appli cati o n s 409

Figure 13.33 Fabrics of nylon help diffuse intense light and add color and interest to this lobby of the William
MacDonough Partners Ecourban Building in Barcelona.
VIEW Pictures Ltd / Alamy

Functionally they are used to control natural light, provide privacy without solid walls, insulate from heat and cold,
and absorb noise. They also provide comfort as upholstery for sofas and chairs.

Aesthetically, fabrics are pliable and can be manipulated to create any kind of mood or characteristic. They come
in a limitless variety of colors, patterns, and textures and can be readily changed or replaced. Fabrics are excellent
as a unifying element throughout an interior space and can be integrated with walls, windows, ceilings, and
furniture.

Selection and Application of Fabrics

The selection of fabrics depends on their specific use within an interior space. The criteria governing the selection
of textile end products depend on many variables. Some fabrics are selected for their aesthetic characteristics;
others may focus on function-related performance, maintenance, and installation factors; and some may be de-
termined by economic factors. Figure 13.34 shows the variable characteristics involved in the selection criteria of
fabrics for interior environments.

Aesthetic Factors
Often a fabric is selected because of its aesthetic appeal; however, a designer must be sure that the fabric is also
durable and appropriate for its intended use. Three attributes of a fabric that form the basis for aesthetic judgment
are color, pattern, and texture. A fabric can also be judged on good design principles within itself and on how it
will coordinate with other materi­als.

Color preference is sometimes the most important factor in the selection of fabric. Coor­dinate color schemes of
fabrics with those of other materials in an interior space; the color schemes should support, en­hance, and comple-
ment one another, not compete or cause visual irritation. The intensity and brightness of color within a fabric color
scheme should be varied. If all colors are of a low value or dulled, the overall effect may be uninteresting or mo-
notonous. If all the colors are intense, the effect may be unlivable.