NEW YORK—Designtex, the leading designer and manufacturer of applied materials for the built environment, introduces Awe, Brio, Nestle, Steady + Vim, five performance upholsteries that flex gracefully across healthcare, education, workplace, and public interiors that demand durability with a more human feel.
From expressive patterns and tactile textures to advanced cleanability and healthier material chemistry, the collection reimagines what performance materials can be. Spanning coated textiles, silicone upholstery, and biobased surfaces, these designs balance resilience with warmth, bringing visual richness and sensory comfort to high-traffic environments.
“This collection brings a softer, more design-forward point of view to performance upholstery,” says Sara Balderi, Executive Design Director, Designtex. “By blending texture, color, comfort, and durability, we created textiles that support the demands of healthcare, education, workplace, and public interiors while fostering a more human-centered experience.”
Originally introduced as a woven textile in Designtex’s award-winning Joy collection, inspired by research into neuroaesthetics and the restorative qualities of nature, Awe translates the pattern and texture of the original design into a high-performance coated textile crafted from 100 percent polyurethane (EPU, polycarbonate-based). Available in 11 colorways, including two new additions—Freshwater, a palette of soothing blues, greens, and neutrals optimized for healthcare environments, and Meadow, a vibrant multicolor designed for education and public spaces—Awe brings energy, movement, and optimism to interiors while delivering exceptional durability and cleanability. Awe is low VOC, with no antimicrobials, flame retardants, PFAS, phthalates, or PVC.
Low VOC, with No Antimicrobials
Brio translates the visual richness of a multicolored woven into a high-performance coated textile crafted from 100 percent polyurethane (EPU, polycarbonate-based). Available in 12 vibrant and neutral colorways, its layered color and woven-inspired texture create depth and dimension, delivering a refined aesthetic for interiors that demand sophisticated expression and exceptional durability in equal measure. Brio is low VOC, with no antimicrobials, flame retardants, PFAS, phthalates, or PVC.
Designed with comfort in mind, Nestle pairs an inviting, ultra-plush surface with high-performance construction. Featuring a silicone Supreen finish and fluid barrier backing, it is available in 20 colorways and flexes its qualities best in high-traffic environments—from lobbies and waiting rooms to shared spaces—where comfort and cleanability are equally important. Low VOC and free of antimicrobials, flame retardants, PFAS, phthalates, and PVC, Nestle offers a softer, more thoughtful approach to performance upholstery.
Steady extends Designtex’s portfolio of healthier materials as a textile made from 100 percent polyurethane (biobased, polycarbonate-based). Low VOC and made without PFAS or phthalates, Steady is available in 35 colorways and features a remarkably soft, smooth surface with a quiet depth of color. The result is a refined upholstery suited to a wide range of performance applications, bringing subtle sophistication to interior environments. Steady is certified for ASTM D6866 Biobased Content and is free of antimicrobials, flame retardants, and PVC.
Vim combines the visual appeal of a woven textile with the durability and cleanability of vinyl made without Prop 65 phthalates. Available in 14 colorways, its textured pattern strikes a balance between subtlety and presence—distinct enough to stand on its own while pairing effortlessly with more expressive materials. The result is a versatile upholstery that delivers lasting performance with a refined, approachable aesthetic. Vim is low VOC and free of antimicrobials, flame retardants, and PFAS.
Learn more about Awe, Brio, Nestle, Steady + Vim at designtex.com.
