Step inside our Buckhead showroom, and you’ll understand why Lewis and Sheron has been Atlanta’s destination for exquisite furniture and fine fabrics for decades. From the handcrafted lines of Verellen and Wesley Hall to the curated textures of Lee Industries, every piece tells a story of quality, comfort, and design mastery.
And the secret holding it all together? It’s often a beautifully crafted polyester woven fabric—the designer's choice for its perfect blend of elegance and resilience.
The Go-To Textile for Atlanta’s Finest Homes
Forget what you think you know about polyester. The days of seeing it as a budget-friendly compromise are long gone. Today, it’s the sophisticated workhorse behind modern interior design, and it’s become the go-to for Atlanta’s most discerning designers.
From custom upholstery on a Wesley Hall sofa destined for a Roswell living room to light-filtering draperies in an Alpharetta sunroom, this material just delivers. It holds its shape, resists fading, and stands up to real life—a non-negotiable for families who want furniture that’s meant to be lived in and admired.
Marrying Luxury with Everyday Practicality
The real magic of modern polyester lies in its ability to mimic the look and feel of natural fibers while outperforming them where it counts.
Think of the rich texture of velvet, the crisp hand of linen, or the intricate pattern of a damask. All are achievable with the robust character of a high-end polyester weave. This is precisely why it’s a staple in our luxury furniture Atlanta collections, from Buckhead to Marietta.
At Lewis and Sheron, we source from world-class mills, ensuring every bolt in our Atlanta fabric showroom meets a standard of excellence. Our design partners in the Lewis and Sheron Trade Program rely on these fine fabrics for projects across North Georgia—from East Cobb to Forsyth County—because they know quality is everything. You can dive deeper into selecting the perfect material in our guide on the best fabric for reupholstering a sofa.
For a piece of furniture to be timeless, its fabric must be enduring. High-quality polyester wovens ensure the exquisite lines of a Verellen sofa or a Lee Industries chair remain beautiful for years, not just seasons.
This resilience extends beyond the living room. For instance, after you’ve perfected your furniture, you can elevate your exterior with a guide to finding the right outdoor rugs, where polyester's durability truly shines.
Choosing a polyester woven fabric is about making a smart, stylish investment in your home. It’s the foundation of furniture that remains beautiful through countless family gatherings, sunny afternoons, and quiet evenings. It’s the secret to a home that’s as livable as it is luxurious.
Understanding the Power of a Woven Structure
Ever wondered what gives a fabric its unique feel, strength, and drape? It all comes down to how it's made. Picture a high-quality polyester woven fabric like a tightly woven basket, where individual threads interlace at perfect right angles.
This over-and-under construction is the secret behind its incredible stability. It's completely different from a knit fabric, which is made of interlocking loops (think chain-link fence). Wovens don't have that inherent stretch, which is precisely why they are the foundation for high-end upholstery on furniture from makers like Verellen and Wesley Hall.
That structural integrity means your custom sofa will keep its clean, tailored lines for years. No sagging or stretching. It’s a quality that designers across Atlanta, from Marietta to Milton, rely on for projects that need to be as durable as they are beautiful.
From Simple Weaves to Sophisticated Textures
Of course, not all weaves are the same. The specific pattern in which the threads cross dramatically changes the fabric's look and feel. This is where the artistry of textiles comes alive in our Atlanta fabric showroom, opening a world of design possibilities.
Here are a few foundational weaves you’ll run into:
- Plain Weave: The most straightforward and strongest of the bunch. This simple checkerboard pattern creates a durable, crisp surface, perfect for showing off printed designer fabrics.
- Twill Weave: You’ll recognize this one from your favorite pair of jeans. The tell-tale diagonal rib gives the fabric a wonderful drape and helps it resist soiling and wrinkles, making it a workhorse for busy family rooms.
- Satin Weave: Known for its signature lustrous sheen, this weave features long, floating yarns on the surface for an exceptionally smooth, luxurious feel. It’s a stunning choice for accent pieces, like Ambella chairs, or elegant draperies in a formal dining room.
The weight of the yarn also plays a huge part. A heavyweight woven polyester might become a durable, textured tweed, while a lightweight version could be transformed into a sheer, ethereal drapery fabric. To see some of these in action, check out these classic examples of woven fabrics from our design journal.
Why Structure Is Everything for Custom Upholstery
When you’re investing in custom upholstery for a LEE Industries chair or commissioning a bespoke piece for a client in Forsyth County, the fabric's structure is non-negotiable. The stability of polyester woven fabrics ensures every seam stays straight and every cushion corner remains sharp.
A fabric’s weave is its architectural blueprint. For luxury furniture, a strong woven foundation ensures the design’s integrity endures, turning a beautiful piece into a timeless heirloom.
It’s this foundational quality that allows intricate patterns to shine without distortion. This makes polyester wovens a reliable canvas for designers using our trade furniture program, giving them the confidence to bring even their most ambitious visions to life.
Decoding Performance: Durability, Colorfastness, and Feel
Let's talk about what really matters: how a fabric performs in your home. A beautiful textile is one thing. A beautiful fabric that stands up to sunny afternoons, spilled wine, and happy pets? That’s the secret to luxury you can actually live with. This is where polyester woven fabrics truly shine.
Think of performance metrics as the fabric's resume. They tell you exactly what it can handle, so you can choose with confidence. For high-end furniture in a busy Buckhead home, these details are everything.
This infographic gives a quick visual guide to the core difference in fabric structures, showing why the stability of a woven construction is key for upholstery that lasts.
As you can see, the strong, grid-like structure of woven fabrics offers incredible stability compared to the flexible, looped nature of knits. It’s this inherent strength that makes them the go-to for durable upholstery.
Abrasion Resistance: The "Rub Count" Explained
You’ll often hear designers talk about a fabric’s “rub count.” This isn't just industry jargon; it’s a crucial measure of durability. The Wyzenbeek test involves a machine rubbing a piece of cotton duck back and forth over the fabric until two yarns break.
The number of “double rubs” it withstands tells you how tough it is.
- 15,000-30,000 double rubs: This is heavy-duty residential. It’s perfect for a Wesley Hall sofa in a main living room where the family gathers every night.
- 30,000+ double rubs: This is commercial-grade territory. Think hotel lobbies and, yes, that custom sectional for your bustling Milton household with three kids and a golden retriever.
An occasional chair might be fine with a lower rub count, but for the workhorses of your home, going higher is always a smart investment.
Resisting Fading, Pilling, and Spills
Beyond sheer toughness, a few other factors determine how gracefully a fabric will age. Polyester woven fabrics excel here, making them an incredibly smart choice for Atlanta’s sunny climate.
Colorfastness to Light: Ever seen a sofa fade in a sun-drenched spot? That’s poor colorfastness. Polyester is inherently resistant to UV degradation, meaning its vibrant color will last, even in a bright Alpharetta sunroom.
Pilling: Those annoying little balls of fiber that pop up on fabrics are called pills. Because polyester fibers are long and strong, high-quality wovens have excellent resistance to pilling, keeping the surface smooth and looking new.
Crocking: This refers to color rubbing off—like when new jeans leave their mark on a light sofa. Well-made polyester wovens are dyed to prevent this, ensuring your textiles stay pristine.
Choosing a fabric is about forecasting its future. Does it have the strength to handle daily life and the stability to resist sun, spills, and wear? With polyester, the answer is a confident yes.
For homeowners and designers alike, making informed choices is key. To go a step further, delving deeper into how to choose upholstery fabric can provide invaluable context for any project.
The Power of Performance Finishes
What if you could make a gorgeous, high-end fabric nearly indestructible? That’s the power of modern performance finishes. These aren't coatings that just sit on top; they are treatments integrated into the fibers themselves, offering incredible protection without changing the fabric’s luxurious feel.
The most recognized name here is Crypton. When you see a fabric in our Atlanta showroom with the Crypton label, it means it has been engineered for extreme stain, moisture, and odor resistance.
This is a game-changer for high-end residential design. It allows you to use a delicate-looking ivory chenille on a dining banquette or a light-colored woven on a family room sofa without fear. It’s why designers in our Trade Program specify performance polyesters for projects from East Cobb to Forsyth County. It’s the ultimate peace of mind.
From Utility Fabric to Design Staple
Polyester’s story is amazing. It went from a humble, mid-century novelty to a true design staple, quietly becoming the backbone of the home furnishings industry. Today, you’ll find it gracing high-end furniture in the most sophisticated homes across Atlanta and North Georgia.
This wasn't a trend. It was a fundamental shift in how designers think about luxury and longevity. The sheer scalability and strength of polyester wovens gave legendary mills the power to create beautiful textiles that are also incredibly tough.
This evolution has a direct impact on the custom furniture we curate in our Buckhead showroom. The reliability of a top-quality polyester woven ensures the handcrafted lines of a Verellen sofa or a LEE Industries chair will hold up for a lifetime.
From Niche Fiber to Global Powerhouse
To get why polyester is so important, you have to look at the numbers. It transformed from a minor player into the undisputed king of global fiber production.
Back in 1975, polyester was just 15% of the world's fiber output. Today, it claims a massive 59% of the total market. That’s a staggering 78 million tonnes every year. If you want to dive deeper, the latest materials market report has all the details.
This isn't just about mass production; it's about mastery. Decades of refinement led to the luxurious textures and high-performance characteristics we love today.
This explosion in production means more innovation, more variety, and better performance. It’s what lets us offer such an incredible selection of designer fabrics, giving you the power to find the perfect textile for any project, whether it's a formal living room in Roswell or a relaxed family space in Cumming.
The Lewis and Sheron Standard
So, what does all this mean for you? Confidence. When our interior design partners in the Lewis and Sheron Trade Program select a polyester woven for a client's Wesley Hall sofa, they know they’re choosing a material engineered for modern life.
It means the rich color of your custom upholstery won't fade in a sun-drenched Marietta window. It means the fabric can handle family gatherings and quiet evenings without looking worn out.
Investing in a piece from Ambella or having an heirloom reupholstered is about more than looks; it's about creating a legacy. The journey of polyester ensures your investment will last, built to be loved for generations.
Navigating Sustainability with Recycled Polyester
In today's design world, sustainability is a core part of creating beautiful, thoughtful spaces. This leads us to recycled polyester—a brilliant innovation that proves luxury and environmental mindfulness go hand-in-hand.
This amazing material, often called rPET, gets its start as post-consumer plastic bottles. The journey from trash to treasure is fascinating. Collected plastics are cleaned, shredded, melted, and spun into the high-quality fibers that become the gorgeous designer fabrics you see in our Atlanta showroom.
By giving a second life to what would otherwise clog a landfill, recycled polyester makes a real difference. It dramatically cuts down a fabric's carbon footprint, reduces our dependence on virgin petroleum, and uses significantly less energy and water.
A Realistic Look at the Market
While the movement toward recycled polyester is gaining momentum, it's good to have a realistic perspective. Recent figures show recycled polyester production hit 9.3 million tonnes. That's only 12% of the total market, with virgin polyester still accounting for 78 million tonnes.
Here's another eye-opener: a tiny 1% of recycled fibers come from old textiles. The other 98% comes from plastic bottles. You can dig deeper into the numbers and learn more about the global fiber market and polyester's role to get the full picture.
This data shows both the progress we've made and the road ahead. At Lewis and Sheron, we are committed to being part of the solution. We actively source certified recycled fine fabrics, empowering everyone—from East Cobb homeowners to designers in our Trade Program—to make choices they can feel good about.
Choosing recycled polyester isn’t about environmental perfection. It’s about making a positive, intentional impact. Every yard you select contributes to a more sustainable vision for luxury design.
Addressing the Microplastic Conversation
You can't talk about synthetic fabrics without touching on microplastics. While this is a bigger concern for clothing that goes through the laundry constantly, simple, practical care can minimize any impact with home textiles.
- Gentle Cleaning: For your upholstery, a regular vacuuming is usually all it needs. If a spill happens, spot-treating is always better than tossing a cushion cover in the wash.
- Washing Draperies: If your drapes need a full cleaning, opt for a gentle, cold water cycle. Liquid detergents create less friction than powders. For extra protection, use a large wash bag to reduce shedding.
By being mindful in how you care for your fabrics, you can enjoy all the benefits of polyester while being a great steward of the environment.
See It, Feel It, Find It: Our Buckhead Showroom
Reading about fabric is one thing. Experiencing it is something else entirely. We invite you to our Buckhead showroom, because the feel of a truly high-quality textile is something you have to touch to believe.
It’s where all the technical talk becomes real. Here, you can run your hand over hundreds of textures, see how a certain weave catches the light, and feel the quality that makes our collections stand out. This is where inspiration turns into a real plan.
Our space on Collier Rd is more than a fabric store; it's an Atlanta design resource. Picking the perfect textile should be an exciting, collaborative process—never an overwhelming one.
From an Idea to a Custom Creation
Whether you're dreaming of custom upholstery for a sleek Ambella armchair in your Milton home or planning elegant drapery in Forsyth County, our team is here to help. We offer complimentary design guidance right in the showroom to help you find the perfect match.
We can walk you through the subtle differences between a durable tweed for a family sofa and a lustrous satin for an accent chair. Our goal is to ensure you leave with a fabric that not only looks incredible but is also perfectly suited to how you live. It’s this personal approach that has made us a go-to for luxury furniture in Atlanta.
The demand for high-performance textiles is growing. The polyester microfiber market—a key player in soft, durable home fabrics—is projected to grow from USD 739.7 million to USD 1,033.4 million by 2035. This trend is all about versatility and innovation, qualities you’ll find in every yard we carry. You can read more about these market trends and insights on futuremarketinsights.com.
More Than Fabric: An Atlanta Design Destination
Our commitment to quality goes beyond our fabric collections. We offer a full range of services designed to bring your projects to life with real craftsmanship.
- Expert Reupholstery: Have a cherished heirloom piece that’s seen better days? Our master upholsterers can transform it with precision and artistry.
- The Lewis and Sheron Trade Program: We’re a trusted partner for Atlanta's interior design community. Our exclusive program gives professionals access to fine fabrics and high-end furniture from top vendors like Verellen, Wesley Hall, and Lee Industries.
- Custom Furnishings: If you can dream it, we can help create it. From custom-built sofas to perfectly tailored draperies, we work with you to craft pieces that are uniquely yours.
True luxury isn’t just about having beautiful things. It’s the confidence that comes from choosing quality that will last. That’s the feeling we’ve delivered to Atlanta for decades.
Consider this your official invitation. Visit our showroom on Collier Rd. See the colors, feel the textures, and let us help you create something truly special. We'd love for you to discover the quality that has made Lewis and Sheron Atlanta’s destination for fine fabrics and exquisite furniture.
Your Questions About Polyester, Answered
We get it. Picking the perfect fabric means finding that sweet spot between look, feel, and real-world practicality. In our Buckhead showroom, we hear a lot of the same questions from designers and homeowners. Let’s tackle some of the most common ones.
Is Polyester a Good Choice for High-End Furniture?
Absolutely. It's time to forget any old ideas about stiff, uninspired polyester from decades ago. Today's high-end woven polyesters are engineered for luxury, with rich textures and gorgeous drapes that rival natural fibers.
When you see a stunning Wesley Hall sofa or an elegant Lee Industries chair in our showroom, there's a good chance it's wrapped in a performance polyester. Designers choose it for its premium feel and superior durability.
Will My Polyester Upholstery Fade in the Sun?
This is a huge concern, especially for those beautiful, sunny homes in Roswell and Alpharetta. Here’s the good news: polyester is naturally resistant to fading from UV light.
Unlike natural fibers like cotton or linen that can bleach out over time, the color in a quality polyester woven stays vibrant and true. That makes it a fantastic choice for any room flooded with natural light.
How Do I Clean Polyester Upholstery?
It’s surprisingly simple. For most everyday spills, a clean cloth dampened with a little water and mild soap is all you'll need.
For something more stubborn, a solvent-based cleaner might be the answer, but always check the fabric’s specific cleaning code first. Many of our designer fabrics, especially those with performance finishes, are designed so spills just bead up on the surface, making cleanup a breeze.
Is Polyester a Sustainable Fabric Choice?
The conversation around sustainability is incredibly important. While new, or "virgin," polyester is petroleum-based, the industry has made massive strides with recycled polyester (rPET).
This amazing material is often made from post-consumer plastic bottles, a process that uses far less energy and keeps a ton of waste out of landfills. We are proud to offer a growing collection of recycled woven fabrics, giving you the chance to make a more mindful choice without ever sacrificing style or performance.
Ready to find the perfect fabric for your next project? The experts at Lewis and Sheron Textiles are here to help. Come visit our Atlanta showroom or explore our curated collections online at https://lsfabrics.com.