Jan 22 2013

Internationally Acclaimed Designer Richard Frinier Creates Sunbrella® Fabrics with Recycled Content

‘Origins’ Collection Continues Expansion of Sunbrella Renaissance Offerings

Sunbrella® fabrics featuring recycled content continue to expand with the latest addition from internationally acclaimed home furnishings designer Richard Frinier. His newest creation for Sunbrella, “Origins’,” takes advantage of the rich surface texture and mottled color ways that are making Sunbrella Renaissance fabrics increasingly popular with the design trade and consumers.

“We are living in a time when people are more interested than ever in reducing our carbon footprint,” Frinier said. “As a designer, it is important to design what comes next while also being mindful of what came before. Renaissance yarns provide a wonderful material for incorporating the lineage of the past of Sunbrella fabrics with the look and texture that is sought after today.”

The Sunbrella Renaissance family of recycled offerings made with post-industrial content began several years ago with braided rugs and has expanded into upholstery and awning fabrics.  

Frinier’s Sunbrella Origins’ Collection is distinctive for its slightly fuller appearance and weight, which adds substance and serves to highlight the perfectly imperfect nature of this collection. The subtle textures and classic stripe patterns are designed to be mixed and matched across all constructions, patterns and color ways. Nine patterns are included in the Frinier Origins’ collection, which includes a diverse color palette as well:  

• SASHIKO is a Japanese word representing a sewing technique that evolved into decorative embroidery. The Sashiko contrasting thread line in this design serves as an accent stitch line against a rich, textural base cloth. Sashiko colors: Canvas, Hemp, Alpaca, Suede, Indigo.

• The name QUILLO was derived from quillow quilting methods, which creates an easy companion to Sashiko. Quillo is a double cloth with a stitch grid pattern. Quillo colors: Canvas, Hemp, Alpaca, Suede, Indigo.

• GRAPHX draws inspiration from classic graph paper used by artists for concept sketching. Small squares equal in size create a softly textural and precise framework in design perfect for pairing with other base cloths, patterns and stripes. Graphx colors: Canvas, Hemp, Jute, Suede, Russet.

• LINTEX finds it roots in linen textured fabrics thus the hybrid name. The scale of Lintex construction shows how Renaissance yarns work together with Sunbrella virgin yarns to create a sumptuously and lightly textural weave. Lintex colors: Canvas, Flax, Hemp, Straw, Raffia, Denim, Granite, Earth, Suede.

• PLAYA VISTA is Latin meaning beach or ocean view for which this coastal stripe very reminiscent of colorful espadrille canvas cloth is named. Playa Vista colors: Hemp, Alpaca, Straw, Raffia, Denim, Garnet, Granite.

• SEA ESTA is a play on words for the designer’s desire to ask everyone to remember to take five-minute vacations throughout each day. This stylish stripe pattern whispers a hint of relaxing and restorative days spent by the sea. Sea Esta colors: Alpaca, Raffia, Sisal, Denim, Hemp, Granite, Sable.

• BURLIN is a combination of the appearance of burlap and linen weaves offering the look of coarse canvas, jute, hemp or gunnysack only with the soft textural appearance of the Renaissance yarns. Burlin colors: Canvas, Flax, Jute, Hemp, Earth, Burlap, Denim, Granite.

• 2TONE plays on the beautiful surface texture of the Burlin construction with a classic stripe pattern produced by using a balance of high and low-contrasting color ways. 2Tone colors: Flax, Earth, Granite, Ebony.

• 3PEAT is another example of the designer’s enduring passion for authentic stripe patterns. Broad and narrow stripes are banded and sized to exact scale, so you may focus on the rhythm of the smaller or larger repeating stripes in both high and low contrast yet harmonious color combinations. 3Peat colors: Earth, Burlap, Denim, Garnet, Granite.

About Richard Frinier   
Richard Frinier is an internationally acclaimed 30-year veteran of the home furnishings industry. Originally a sculptor, lighting and case goods designer, he is the recipient of more than 80 product design excellence and career achievement awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Casual Furnishings Association, a division of the American Home Furnishings Alliance.

Frinier’s career is highlighted by more than 20 years at Brown Jordan where he began as a staff designer in the early 1980s and evolved over time to become the company's chief creative officer overseeing product design and development, marketing, public relations and brand content for all brands under the Brown Jordan umbrella.

In 2002, Frinier formed his own creative consultancy based in California where he licenses his exclusive and co-branded interior/exterior furniture, textile, lighting and accessory designs to leading brands worldwide, including Brown Jordan, Century Furniture, Dedon and Glen Raven/Sunbrella® textiles.  His award-winning designs are best known for their authentic, relevant and memorable styling and for emotional connections created through his artistry. On the web at www.richardfrinier.com.

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 been certified by GreenGuard, an international standard, for contributing to indoor air quality.

Sunbrella fabrics are manufactured and marketed by Glen Raven, a 132-year-old family-owned company based in North Carolina with operations worldwide. For more information on the Sunbrella brand, including fabric resources, visit www.sunbrella.com.