Interior Fabrics Popular in the 1990s

Brocades

Hong Kong was a classified British territory from the 1980s until 1997 when it was “given back” to its home country of China. Around this time, oriental influences arose throughout fashion culture including in the implementation of rich brocade textiles into home design.

Polyester & "Unnatural" Fabrics

Once seen as bad substitutes to natural fabrics, man-made fibers became much more prevalent in the 1990s. Sheer curtains made from polyester became popular as well as home accents made of environmentally-conscious fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles and cork. Ultrasuede, the world's first micro-fiber, was another commonly used household textile as it looks and feels like suede but is in fact 100% polyester. This means that it is stain resistant unlike natural suede and can even be washed in a washing machine.

Polyester-Voile Curtains

Cushions made of recycled plastic bottle

This cushion is made with fabric made completely of cork

A length of coffee-colored Ultrasuede

Leather and Suede furniture

Leather is made primarily from cowhide and was a popular choice for home furnishings in the 1990s as it is very strong, durable and color-fade resistant. Also, leather is seen as a kid-friendly fabric as it has a finish that repels moisture and is thus easy to clean.

Another popular trend in home textiles was the use of apparel textiles on furniture. This was to add the element of comfort and elegance to homes that clothing was providing to its wearer. For example: reupholstering a faded couch in jersey knit, velvet, cashmere, nylon, etc. As Wayne Nathan, a designer with Ms. Hagan put it, ''It lends a room a different kind of formality, one that's not so commercial.''

A fabulous couch upholstered in violet velvet

Sources
http://www.hometonic.com/a-leatherbenefits.html

http://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/04/garden/trade-secrets-suited-up-sofas-shoes-and-bag-to-match.html?scp=1&sq=home+textiles&st=nyt

http://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/24/garden/fabrics-spun-from-cork-steel-and-gasp-polyester.html?scp=3&sq=home+textiles&st=nyt

http://www.fashion-era.com/the_1990s.htm

Picture Sources

http://www.ourfixerupper.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/couch.bmp

http://www.made-in-china.com/image/2f0j00RBeTfLDyJHcIM/Voile-Polyester-Curtain.jpg

http://www.mochatini.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/cream-and-black-scrabble-cushions-3-76-p-500x408.jpg

http://ecotiques.com/ecoshop/images/naturalcork.jpg

http://www.ameriglobe.net/products/DS-167.html

http://www.cleaningcarpets.co.nz/leather.php

http://www.voguefabricsstore.com/store/catalog/Ultra-Suede-Coffee-Cream-p-5807.html