Designers and architects alike push the boundaries of form and function to create the extraordinary. Home décor authority Joe Ruggiero carefully considered this balance of beauty and durability for his latest collection of Sunbrella^® fabrics – “Forms + Function” – set for introduction during December Showtime in High Point.

“My new collection takes classic design elements – stripes, menswear-inspired tweed, and plaid – and updates them for today’s interiors,” Ruggiero said. “Beautiful in form, these fabrics are also functional, featuring the performance characteristics inherent of Sunbrella.”

The collection is grounded by Tailored, a fabric inspired by menswear tweed using chenille fiber for a luxurious feel. The textural solid is offered in 14 rich colors: Snow, Putty, Fog, Smoke, Coal, Mink, Taupe, Wren, Grain, Cherry, Wisteria, Rose, Lagoon and Indigo.

Taking elements of Scandinavian design, Ruggiero highlights a traditional stripe with a dobby, herringbone weave in Hansen. The archival stripe is offered in palette of soft, classic colors for a variety of spaces: Sky, Classic, Smoke and Mist.

Block Party delights both the eye and the hand. This textile features a playful confetti-inspired pattern with a raised, chenille texture that creates movement and interest. Ideal for a sophisticated, contemporary home, Block Party is available in Indigo, Cherry, Mink, Putty, Cloud, Pebble and Mist.

Reminiscent of formal topiary gardens, Maze features a pattern of concentric squares with a composition similar to menswear fabrics. The textural fabric is available in 10 muted, serene colors: Cloud, Dune, Dove, Mist, Aloe, Rose, Cherry, Denim, Smoke and Mink.

“This collection represents a departure from previous markets,” Ruggiero said. “These textiles are my most contemporary designs yet, with a focus on texture and hand for the most well-appointed interiors.”

Forum features a series of large-scale squares based on Swedish faux painting of wood floors. This graphic pattern is enhanced by colors Indigo, Mist, Aloe, Rose, Dune and Putty.

Ruggiero puts a twist on the classic polka dot with Galaxy. Using larger circles with an ikat effect, he plays with texture in a subtle dot pattern within each circle, evocative of the surface of the moon. Galaxy is offered in a palette of delicate colors: Indigo, Mist, Aloe, Rose, Dune and Putty.

Rounding out the collection is Slash, a new take on traditional plaid with a pattern that appears to be slashed into the fabric. This unusual design is best suited to contemporary spaces and features a shift to warmer neutrals in colors Indigo, Java, Mist, Pebble and Putty.

“Forms + Function” fabrics displayed during Showtime are available to the manufacturing trade only. High resolution images are available in the Sunbrella Press Room.

About Joe Ruggiero

Joseph Ruggiero & Associates, Inc. is a multi-media home design and television production company based in Los Angeles.  In addition to his Sunbrella fabrics collection, Ruggiero also designs upholstery for Miles Talbott Furniture, an MT Company Collection; casual furniture for Terra; wood furniture for Gat Creek (American made with wood from sustainable forests); decorative throws for Textillery; decorative trims for Phoenix and bedding and drapery for Casa Fiora. On the web at joeruggiero.com, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, Twitter and a blog.

About Sunbrella Fabrics

Introduced in 1961, Sunbrella revolutionized the way the world thinks about how beautiful fabrics look, feel and perform. The Sunbrella brand is the leading premium fabric choice for awning, marine and furniture manufacturers, offering legendary durability, fade resistance and ease of cleaning.

Upholstery fabrics from Sunbrella are continually advancing in design sophistication and comfort, resulting in applications both outside and inside the home for coordinated décor. Sunbrella fabrics have achieved GREENGUARD GOLD certification as contributing to healthy indoor air quality by being a very low emitting interior product.

Sunbrella fabrics are manufactured and marketed by Glen Raven, a 135-year-old family-owned company based in North Carolina with operations worldwide. For more information on the Sunbrella brand, including fabric resources, visit sunbrella.com.