Design Guide Online Editorial

We all have our own little (or big) nightmares in our purchases and décor moments. Below, Karla with Exteriors Showroom, gives us two scenarios and talks about the differences between good quality cushions and cushions that merely look like good quality.

In this first scenario, an unsuspecting client, Mrs. Jones, just bought a new pair of white linen pants she feels fabulous in. She is getting everything ready to have an afternoon outdoor event on this beautiful day after a big rain. She takes a break to sit in her new outdoor furniture you helped her buy. The furniture “looks great” by the way, and she got it from that great "catalogue company" that has such great photography! Ready to take a break she tries out her new outdoor furniture and “squish,” a soggy cushion just soaked her new white linen pants. Bad cushion. Angry client. She was told they were water resistant.

Now, I don’t want to leave you feeling bad, so let’s re-do this scenario:

Mrs. Jones takes a break to sit down in her new outdoor furniture you helped her buy. This furniture too “looks great” by the way, and she got it custom ordered, from Exteriors Showroom. Even better, it does not look like everyone else’s patio. Ready to relax for a moment on her new outdoor furniture and “Ahhhhh,” she sinks into her dry, plump and fluffy cushion and enjoys her moments of well-deserved relaxation before company arrives. Good cushion. Comfy, gorgeous and most of all it’s dry. Happy client. She adores her outdoor set and her fabulous designer.

Let’s take a look at the difference between a “bad” cushion and “good” cushion:

Bad things happen to “bad” cushions:

- They fade.

- They lose shape.

- They hold water like a sponge.

- They pancake.

- They hold stains. Yuck.

- They mildew.

Who wants a bad cushion? Well, no one really. What makes them react this way?

- They fade because they are not made out of 100% Solution Dyed Acrylic.

- They lose shape because the internal structure is cheap and offers no structural support over time.

- They hold water like a sponge because they are using indoor foam (indoor foam is cheaper).

- They pancake because there is not an inner core.

Like everything else in the world of furniture, there is good and bad; and when it is bad…..well that’s a nightmare we’d prefer not to delve into.

Now let’s take a look at the determining factors in what makes for a “good” cushion:

Good things happen to good cushions:

- They have long lasting color and vibrancy and hold color even in the Texas Sun.

- They are buoyant and have a full, sexy shape.

- They are fast-drying with an incredible drain-through system.

- They are plump and fluffy.

- They are easy to clean and keep looking good as new.

- They are mildew resistant.

Now that’s a cushion one could snuggle up with and relax in for years!!

On average a “good” cushion will last 7-10 years, and a “bad” cushion is seasonal lasting one to two years on average.

Did I mention, the cushion is half the cost of the entire piece of the piece of furniture?! And like with most things, it's what you can't see that counts the most. Quality is a hidden detail until lack of quality makes itself apparent.

• Rachel Duke's blog

Related terms: Fabrics, Furniture, Outdoor Living, Pillows and Trim

by: Rachel Duke