by Anna Moldenhauer

An outdoor fabric has to withstand all manner of things: fluctuating temperatures, intensive sunlight, rain and even snow. Designer Karina Nielsen Rios teamed up with Kvadrat to develop the fabric “Patio”, which is both sturdy and environmentally friendly. And it looks good into the bargain.

“Patio” is the name of the fabric that Karina Nielsen Rios has created together with Kvadrat. The development process was lengthy and it was three years before the team came up with the finished product: A sturdy, sustainable outdoor fabric that is suitable not only as a furniture covering but also provided protection from sun and rain. The fabric is based on “Trevira CS”, a flame-retardant polyester fiber that dries quickly and is easy to clean. Chlorine, saltwater, high humidity and even UV rays make no impression on “Trevira CS”. Moreover, the material is especially soft to the touch, setting it apart from many other outdoor fabrics that tend to feel rather rough. The coloring of “Patio” is also special: “If you look at the fabric from a distance it appears to have just one color, but in reality, there are three,” Karina Nielsen Rios explains.