Sheer fabrics pushing creative envelope for outdoor rooms
(NAPSI)-America’s love affair with the outdoor room is pushing the envelope on a wide range of consumer products, from high-tech kitchen appliances to luxurious textiles. With a goal of making the outdoor room as functional as it is comfortable, the creativity and technical expertise of manufacturers are being stretched like never before.
Performance fabrics companies are stepping up to this challenge, offering chenille, jacquard and even velvet fabrics that are engineered for outdoor rooms. These high-tech fabrics are just as luxurious as their indoor counterparts, yet able to withstand the outdoor elements. Romantic sheer fabrics are the latest in a long line of specialty textiles for outdoor rooms, opening up a new world of creative possibilities that range from privacy screening to exotic embellishments.
“The wonderful thing about today’s performance fabrics, such as sheers, is you don't have to compromise--you can have unrivaled beauty and durability all in one fabric," said Richard Frinier, an internationally recognized home furnishings designe” who has created a line of Sunbrella ®performance fabrics for outdoor rooms. “As a designer, it is very fulfilling to see that there are no limits to how my creative inspirations can be translated into worry-free fabrics for indoor or outdoor decorating.”
A 46-year leader in performance fabrics, Sunbrella has launched its sheer fabrics in three lines--Mist, which is a traditional lightweight sheer; Illusion, which offers more texture and weight; and Casement, a high-end sheer fabric with elegant texture and design. Imagination is the only limitation to how sheers can be used in the outdoor room.
Outdoor rooms are pushing the envelope on product design, from high-tech kitchen appliances to luxurious performance fabrics that can weather the great outdoors.
If your outdoor room is a screened porch, you can install sheers inside the screens, which adds a touch of elegance, not to mention privacy and protection when it rains. Because Sunbrella sheers are performance fabrics, they dry quickly and do not support the growth of mold or mildew.
Other exciting applications for sheer fabrics in the outdoor room include wrapping columns and archways or adding decorative touches to gazebos. Some homeowners use sheers in whimsical ways, incorporating them into daybeds and furniture for an exotic look and feel.
Sunbrella Sheer fabrics use the same yarns that you will find in traditional Sunbrella casual fabrics for cushions and market umbrellas, which assure durability, fade resistance and ease of cleaning, not to mention color coordination. Sheers are created with a newly developed weaving and finishing capability, inspired by homeowners eager to push the outdoor room to even greater heights of enjoyment.
“Luxuriating in the outdoors is deeply rooted in our psyches, going back centuries to the days of the Greeks and Romans,” Frinier said. “These ancient cultures also had luxurious fabrics in their outdoor settings. What they didn't have is the combination of beauty and performance that modern technology and creative excellence are making possible for today’s homeowners.”
For more information on decorating outdoor rooms, visit www.sunbrella.com and see the latest in fabric innovations.
©Copyright 2007 Coastal Living/Jean Allsopp
Easy ways to eat more fruits and vegetables
Healthy Idea--There are ways to
make produce stay fresh longer.
(NAPSI)-From orange peppers and green spinach to purple plums and red watermelon, eating colorful foods could leave you as a picture of health.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone consume more fruits and vegetables. One reason is that eating a variety of colorful produce on a regular basis provides a great source of vitamins, minerals and other natural substances to help protect against chronic diseases.
The good news is that in addition to being healthful and nutritious, fruits and vegetables can be easy to add to almost any diet. Try these tips:
- Add vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms or tomatoes to your omelet.
- Top toasted whole-grain bread with peanut butter and sliced bananas.
- Ask for more vegetable toppings and less cheese on your pizza.
- Add lettuce, tomato, onion and cucumber to sandwiches.
- Snack on vegetables such as bell pepper strips and broccoli with a low-fat ranch dip.
- Top a cup of low-fat yogurt with sliced fresh fruit.
Saving Green On Your Greens
Of course, if you plan to eat more fruits and veggies, it could pay to also find ways to keep them fresh. Still, Americans throw away 27 billion pounds of produce annually because it has spoiled. That translates into about $250 worth of wasted produce per person.
One solution is to use a product such as Produce Saver from Rubbermaid. The food containers can help consumers reduce food waste, save money and live healthier lives by keeping produce fresh up to 33 percent longer than traditional containers.
The line is designed with a vented lid that allows produce to breathe and a tray that elevates food out of moisture. Available at local retailers and grocery stores, it can be a smart and affordable way to incorporate more colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet.
For more information, visit www.rubbermaid.com.
