At Laura U Design Collective, we believe luxury and livability should go hand-in-hand; one doesn’t preempt the other. Performance fabrics let us design without compromise, ensuring our clients can truly live in their homes without sacrificing even an ounce of personal style. From relaxed family gatherings on a modular sectional to elegant entertaining in a stunning dining space, the textiles we select for indoor upholstery stand the test of time (and look incredible while doing it). Read on to learn why we have so much faith in high-end performance fabrics, complete with proof from the LUDC archives.
Disproving the Myth that Performance Fabrics Can’t Be Luxury
But first, let’s disprove the myths that performance fabrics are uncomfortable, unattractive, or unsuitable for luxury interiors. For years, “performance upholstery” was synonymous with “the practical choice.” One would select these stain-resistant, hard-wearing fabrics for furniture in high-traffic family rooms or on outdoor patios. You’d never find them in a chic living room or a carefully curated primary suite. The aesthetic appeal simply wasn’t there.
But at Laura U Design Collective, we’ve found that couldn’t be further from the truth. Performance fabrics today are as beautiful, soft, and versatile as their traditional counterparts, with the added benefit of durability when subjected to everyday use. Our archives are full of examples that prove these textiles are just as at home in a sophisticated, luxury living space as any silk, linen, or velvet.
Myth 1: They’re Uncomfortable
This myth about performance fabrics is patently untrue! Thankfully, gone are the days when performance fabrics felt stiff or scratchy. Today’s textiles are crafted from the perfect blend of fibers to ensure they last through heavy wear without showing their age or use.
In several of our projects, we’ve upholstered deep lounge chairs, beautiful ottomans, and oversized sectionals in performance fabrics, and clients are always surprised by how indulgent the textures feel. The difference is in today’s technology: fibers are woven to repel stains and resist fading without compromising comfort. Functionality no longer eschews elegance. You can indeed have all the features you desire without sacrifice.
Myth 2: They Don’t Look Luxe or Elegant
It’s easy to assume “durability” means sacrificing beauty, but modern performance fabrics come in rich colorways, nuanced patterns, and finishes that rival even the most elegant textiles. In our design work, we’ve used performance textiles for draperies that gather beautifully on the floor, dining chairs with a subtle sheen akin to leather, and crisp, tailored sofas that honor the high-end aesthetic of formal living rooms. Their range of tones, textures, and finishes makes performance fabrics indistinguishable from traditional fabrics (until you spill a glass of red wine and it wipes right off).
Myth 3: They’re Only for Kids and Pets
While performance fabrics are ideal for households with children and pets, they certainly aren’t limited to “practical” spaces like family rooms and pool houses. We’ve layered them into serene primary bedrooms, sophisticated studies, and even boutique-inspired dressing rooms.
In these spaces, performance fabrics withstand everything from makeup stains and jewelry scratches to wine spills and crayon drawings. Luxury is, after all, about ease.
Three Performance Fabric Case Studies from the Laura U Design Collective Archives
Case Study: Archie, the Roomba, and Revolution Fabrics
One of our most memorable experiences with performance fabrics came courtesy of Archie, LUDC Founder Laura Umansky’s beloved English Lab, and a Roomba with the best of intentions. As a puppy, Archie created quite the mess in Laura’s dining room. The Roomba made a valiant effort, but instead of cleaning, it spread the problem everywhere.
The Roomba’s technology didn’t save Laura’s home that day, but the textiles she chose did. The draperies in that room were made from Crypton, which is a performance fabric designed to resist stains. With a quick clean, they were as beautiful as before. Around the same time, we began exploring fabrics by Revolution, a brand that impressed us with both their durability and their sustainable approach when we visited their showroom at High Point Market. Revolution’s performance fabric collection is made with sustainability in mind from solution-dyed polypropylene fibers, which make them inherently stain-resistant, bleach-cleanable, and free from harmful PFAS chemicals.
For us, this incident was stressful, but it was also the perfect real-life case study in why performance fabrics make such a difference. Clients can host dinner parties, raise children, and yes, adopt big, lovable dogs, all while living with interiors that feel every bit as refined as they look.
Not yet convinced? Below are a few LUDC projects that demonstrate the versatility, beauty, and luxury of high-end performance fabrics.
Case Study: Colonial Drive
Take Colonial Drive, a River Oaks, Houston residence designed by our team for a family of six. This home needed to balance the clients’ classic, transitional aesthetic with livability; the interiors had to be refined enough for entertaining, but practical and relaxing enough for everyday life with four children. Performance fabrics helped us deliver both.
In the kids’ study, we upholstered lounge chairs in ink blue performance velvet; this fabric feels every bit as plush and indulgent as traditional velvet, but without the worry. Concrete side tables stand up to everything from homework to after-school snacks, while patterned shades, graphic wallcoverings, and modular carpet tiles all withstand daily use. We love how this space inspires creativity and play, yet holds up beautifully to the realities of family life.
The living room is more adult: serene, airy, and elegant. Here, performance fabrics aren’t obvious at all. Tailored seating is dressed with pillows in performance velvet, which was chosen for its rich color and subtle sheen as much as its durability. From a playful study to a calm living room, Colonial Drive proves that performance fabrics aren’t just for utility; they are essential for creating family homes that feel luxurious, inviting, and ready for real life.
Case Study: Braeswood Place Primary Residence & Pool House
At Braeswood Place, our goal was to design a home that married two very different aesthetics, which were his love of modern minimalism and her passion for color and pattern. We had to do this while ensuring the spaces could serve a busy family of six.
Performance fabrics were key to making this balance work. They allowed us to lean into bold textures and vibrant tones without sacrificing the practicality that daily life demands.
Performance Fabrics in the Main House
In the primary residence, performance textiles anchor both the formal and casual gathering spaces. In the dining room, we upholstered custom channel-tufted chairs in a smoky gray performance leather. This material feels elevated and luxurious, yet easily withstands dinner parties and fundraising events.
In the family room, we selected white Vanguard sectionals covered in Revolution performance fabric. This space sees constant use from kids and guests, yet the fabric maintains its crisp, tailored look. Even ottomans and accent chairs were finished in durable textiles, chosen as much for their saturated colors as for their resilience against spills and wear. This family-friendly space now feels polished but never precious.
Performance Fabrics Continue Into the Pool House
The pool house takes performance fabrics to another level by embracing a playful, resort-like palette inspired by Southwestern sunsets. Here, the durability of performance fabrics allowed us to introduce vibrant hues. You’ll find indigo upholstery, bold patterned ottomans, and even a reimagined vintage armchair.
Guests can move seamlessly from pool to sofa to dining table, and the furnishings retain their shape and style. Even leatherette finishes were selected with both aesthetics and function in mind: chic enough to echo the main house interiors, durable enough to live poolside.
From smoky leathers in the dining room to vibrant textiles in the pool house, Braeswood Place shows how performance fabrics allow us to layer luxury, color, and comfort with confidence.
Why We Trust Performance Fabrics for High-End Interiors
At Laura U Design Collective, we believe luxury and livability should always coexist. Performance fabrics make that possible. They empower us to design furniture and interiors that not only look exquisite but also stand up to the realities of life, whether that means children running through the house, dogs leaping onto the sofa, or a red wine glass tipping over mid-dinner party.
Our custom furnishings are crafted to last and are tailored to your lifestyle. Maybe you live alone and dream of a serene primary suite where makeup spills or perfume drips won’t ruin a beautiful vanity bench. Or maybe you’re raising a family and want a sectional that feels indulgent yet withstands movie nights, snack time, and the occasional crayon drawing. Wherever you fall, performance fabrics let us fulfill the same promise: a home that reflects your unique style and supports the way you truly live.
When you work with Laura U Design Collective, you don’t have to choose between elegance and endurance. You can (and will) have both.
