Alexis and Margaret recently returned from an exclusive event called Perspective New York hosted by Sunbrella. MDI was one of only 13  interior design firms chosen to participate.

MDI became acquainted with the Sunbrella folks by using its fabrics for indoor use in Daniel Island’s Southern Living Idea House back in 2006.

Sunbrella began as an industrial awning fabric in only six colors and has expanded now to become a leading fabric designer producing top-quality, protective fabrics for outdoor and indoor furniture. We’d love to share how MDI has pushed the envelope with Sunbrella fabrics, using them indoors in ways that are practical but also aesthetic…

Here, we wanted the sunroom to feel like its own room, so we installed Sunbrella sheers. The fabric enhanced the exterior/interior feel.

Here, Sunbrella fabric separates the casual dining area from the sunroom. At Perspectives, it was said that Margaret was the first designer to use Sunbrella sheers indoors. MDI put them in this space so that the little room could be closed off for working/writing/reading, to separate it from the main living/TV space.

The bar stool fabric is also from Sunbrella, which is so practical in terms of possible spills. We also loved working with such an open floorplan. Such a plan calls for the kitchen to be a complement to the casual dining and living room. Stained cabinetry is accented with glass tiles. The ceiling was finished with beadboard that was installed at an angle and painted turquoise for a burst of color.

We put Sunbrella to good indoor use again in the boys’ bedroom, which we felt was very practical for a young boy. From the blue and white geometric fabric to the bed covering, most everything here, apart from the drapery fabric, is Sunbrella.

And now to the master bedroom. MDI incorporated Sunbrella with a solid turquoise fabric at the windows with a more delicate, sun-sensitive sheer overlaid on top, creating a luxurious, layered look. The Sunbrella fabric serves as a sort of lining fabric, protecting the outer fabric from the sun. To be cohesive, the same treatment was repeated for the bed skirt. The basis for this bedroom’s design came from the duvet, from which we pulled the pattern for the ceiling and the hues for the rest of the room.

In case you’re curious, here are just a few more details from that particular home design.

This custom-designed inlay sets a rich tone for the foyer. A mirrored-entry chest helps to give an air of sophistication.

Here, an arched hallway and columns open the foyer to the dining room and the kitchen/living room.

We love the custom-designed inlay in lieu of a rug for the foyer.

This chair’s fabric jump-started the design for this dining room. The ceiling color, wall color, and rug were all pulled from the pattern. The richness of the brown is tempered by the vibrancy of the turquoise and the daring citrus color.

For further inspiration, check out more of the Southern Living Idea house design on Houzz.