Ultrafabrics has introduced a benchmark collection of white fabrics called HUSH: The Volume of Color. From bright white tones to creamy off-white hues, the line celebrates interpretations of this universal shade. “White is really the starting point for a lot of design because it is ageless,” said Nicole Meier, director of branding at Ultrafabrics.

There is no shortage of color in the Ultrafabrics offering, with more than 400 tints available to clients. Over a third of those options are neutrals, including a full selection of whites, off-whites, to gray and black. With so many hues to choose from, why focus on these specific whites now?
Meier explained that the hues are soothing, which many people want after the past few years of uncertainty. “We have been noticing a trend towards more whites and neutrals. They provide the reset and refresh that we all so desperately need.”

The Ultrafabrics team picked the HUSH colors after reviewing sales data and fabric trend direction. A total of 14 made the final cut — 11 existing, and three new colors suitable for a range of applications. Rather than run the gamut from light to darker whites, those considered the best representation of the alabaster tone were chosen. “We have a lot of different neutrals, and we could have gone into the more yellow tones. But we tried to pick the truest whites or slightly off-whites. These 14 were selected because of their clarity.”
Providing a curated collection takes the guesswork out of the process, a bonus for designers, who may be working with hundreds of colors at a time. “It’s a new introduction and a re-merchandising of some tried-and-true favorites,” Meier noted. “We brought these colors forward, packaged together to spark inspiration.”

From cars to apparel, white is definitely making an appearance, and Meier expects to see the shade in both the home and office. “We have seen it in fashion, and even in the automotive side of the business, where a lot of the interiors are becoming lighter,” Meier explained. “It reminds me of the resimercial crossover, where every space has to have that calming feeling.”
Meier said specifiers are sometimes hesitant to work with white fabrics because of concerns that they will not retain a brand-new look for long. She noted that attributes like UV and stain resistance, can help keep the textiles pristine even in high-traffic commercial areas. “Although someone might not want to use a white fabric initially, the HUSH fabrics are high-performance, and easy to clean and care for. Designers can add white to their projects without any worry.”

Although there seems to be perennial interest in softer textures, for Meier, the gravitation to these light, purer tones can be traced to the desire to come together with others after the isolation of the pandemic. “I think the interest in tactility and the sensorial speaks to the idea of reconnecting to the world. Having something with a bit more texture but that looks lighter is fun and kind of unexpected, and that’s what we are craving.”
The three new hues can be found in the Uf Select Impasto, Lino, and Montage collections, which Meier explained take their cues from traditional handicraft. “The fabrics have a bit more dimension than those in our standard portfolio.”

The Impasto collection includes a range of timeless tones and textures. The clean white of Impasto’s Ice Storm has a strong visual impact. Inspired by finely cut linoleum printing, Lino’s White Marigold color complements the refined crosshatch design. Montage’s White Marble has a collage-like surface, blending softness and richness.
Meier said that the HUSH collection taps into a collective comfort level. “I think that there is a familiarity and it just resonates. White in particular shows off the shape and silhouette of furniture better than any color. And it’s very interesting when you think about the sleek appeal that a white color provides. It’s powerful.”