Fabric is usually chosen from a photograph and judged in a lobby six months later. The three covers below behave differently in ways that matter to a hotel more than to a home.
Boucle
Boucle is a looped yarn with visible texture. It hides seams well and makes a curve read clearly, which is why it photographs so well.
The problem is cleaning. The loops trap dust and hold spills, and aggressive cleaning fogs the surface. In a lobby it works on pieces that are looked at more than sat on; in a café or a family lounge it ages quickly.
Velvet and other pile fabrics
Pile fabrics change shade depending on direction. Two panels cut in opposite directions will look like two different colours under raking light, and no dye lot will fix it — only cutting direction will.
Velvet is comfortable and quiet, and it wears reasonably in low-traffic areas. Ask how the pile is laid out across a set, and check a finished piece rather than a swatch.
Leather
Leather is the easiest to wipe and the hardest to repair invisibly. It also records use: creases at the seat, shine on the arms. In a lobby that reads as character; in a suite it may read as wear.
Ask whether the hide is corrected or full grain, and how it is finished. The finish decides how it responds to cleaning agents.
Colour under hotel light
Warm downlights push beige toward yellow and grey toward green. A swatch checked in daylight can look wrong in the lobby. Ask for a sample large enough to stand against the wall, and view it on site if the project allows.
What to check in the sample
- Rub the surface with a white cloth — how much colour transfers?
- Fold the sample and look at the crease — does it recover?
- Check pile direction on two pieces cut separately.
- Ask for the abrasion result and the cleaning code in writing.
- Confirm the dye lot covers the full quantity, not just the sample.
Questions buyers ask
Which fabric lasts longest in a hotel?
There is no single answer. Tight weaves and finished leathers generally clean better; loose loops and deep piles look better and need more care.
Can I use different fabrics on the same model?
Yes. Keep to two or three, and confirm the fabric quantity before cutting.
Do you supply samples?
Yes. Sampling runs on a short cycle; the FAQ covers how it works.
The materials we build with are listed in craft and customization.
Send a drawing or a reference photo and we will reply within 24 hours.
