Description
Foster is an upholstery fabric for those who want the furniture in their venue to look cosy without worrying about every spilled coffee. It has a fine, clearly tactile woven weave, a matte finish and a warm, “homely” character that softens interiors full of hard surfaces: concrete, glass and metal. At the same time, it is a material designed for intensive use, with a finish that limits liquid absorption and a result of 85,000 cycles in the Martindale test. At LumoMeble we use it to upholster made-to-measure chairs, bar stools, benches and booths for restaurants, cafes and hotels.
What is Foster fabric and what does it look like up close?
Foster belongs to the group of textured fabrics. Unlike smooth velvet, it has no pile that lies down under your hand and changes shade depending on the direction of the light. Its character comes from the weave: a fine, regular check reminiscent of hand-woven cloth. From a few metres away the surface looks uniform, while up close you can see a subtle texture that gives furniture depth. It is this texture that makes Foster good at hiding small traces of everyday use, such as creases or dust.
The fabric is made entirely of polyester and its weight is 300 g/m². This is a value that gives a material substantial enough to sit well on contoured backrests and seats, yet flexible enough for an upholsterer to fit it precisely to curves and stitch it. The usable width of 145 cm reduces the number of seams on longer booth sections.
Technical parameters in practice
The figures on a product datasheet only matter once you translate them into the real working conditions of a venue. Here is what they mean for this fabric:
- 85,000 Martindale cycles - a level typical for public buildings. Furniture upholstered in Foster will withstand daily sitting, guests shifting in their seats and contact with clothing for many seasons.
- Pilling grade 4 - the surface does not tend to form annoying bobbles, even where the fabric rubs against jeans or woollen coats.
- Colour fastness to light 4-5 - the colour stands up well to sunlight, which matters for seating placed by large windows and in conservatories.
- Colour fastness to rubbing 4-5 - the dye does not transfer to guests' clothes, even when the material is damp.
- REACH compliance - the fabric contains no detectable azo dyes.
Water-repellent finish
The most important feature of Foster for the food service industry is the Water Repellent finish. Spilled liquid, for example water, coffee or wine, beads up on the surface and for some time does not penetrate deep into the fibres. Staff therefore have a moment to blot the stain with a paper towel before it sets. This is not a waterproof material in the literal sense, but in the daily work of a dining room the difference compared with ordinary fabric is clear.
Where does Foster work best?
The textured surface and muted colours make Foster suit, above all, interiors that are meant to feel warm and relaxed. We especially recommend it for:
- cafes and bistros, where guests spend a good while at the table and appreciate a soft material that is pleasant to the touch,
- casual restaurants, where restaurant furniture should look less formal than in an elegant dining room with tablecloths,
- hotels and guesthouses, especially in the breakfast area, lobby and hotel bar,
- offices and coworking areas, where booths serve as a place for conversations and short meetings.
On bar booths the fabric creates a calm, uniform backdrop for tables and lighting. On restaurant chairs and bar stools it highlights the stitching and the line of the backrest. If you are planning built-in seating along a wall, see our bar booths - every model can be upholstered in Foster.
When to choose a different material?
In venues where seats are exposed to very frequent contact with greasy food, sauces and large amounts of liquid, for example in high-turnover burger bars or pizzerias, faux leather that you simply wipe down is often a better choice. Foster, in turn, wins where thermal comfort matters: the fabric does not stick to skin on hot days and is not cold in winter.
Colour palette
The collection includes 16 shades. The core of the palette is made up of natural colours: ivory, beiges, stone tones and warm greys, which are easy to combine with wood, veneer and light tabletops. Alongside them you will find cooler graphites and anthracite, which work well in industrial interiors with black steel. For bolder schemes there are saturated colours: deep red, golden yellow, a spicy turmeric shade, olive and several marine tones, from turquoise to petrol and dark blue.
The weave gives every colour a slightly mottled character, so even intense colours do not look flat. You can view the full palette of all our materials on the swatch books page.
How to care for furniture upholstered in Foster fabric?
Thanks to the water-repellent finish, care is simple, but it is worth following a few rules:
- blot spilled liquid straight away by pressing an absorbent towel onto it, without rubbing,
- remove dirt with a damp cloth and a small amount of mild upholstery cleaner,
- vacuum seats regularly with a soft brush to remove crumbs from the recesses of the weave,
- avoid bleach, solvents and strong degreasers, which can weaken the finish,
- for heavier soiling use a wet-extraction cleaner on a gentle setting, always testing a less visible spot first.
How to order furniture in Foster fabric?
On this page you can see the fabric colours and add a swatch with the full set to your basket. A swatch costs PLN 15 net and lets you assess the colour and texture in the light of your venue, next to the floor, tabletops and walls. You will find the other materials in the fabric swatches section.
Once you have chosen the colour, go to the piece of furniture you want and click “Configure”. In the configurator you can set every product, from a chair to a corner booth, in Foster fabric and in a specific shade. We make furniture to measure, so your order includes only the items you actually need.
Frequently asked questions
Is Foster a velvet?
No. Foster is a textured fabric with a woven weave and no pile. It is soft to the touch but has a tactile texture and a matte finish, unlike smooth, glossy velvet.
Is Foster fabric flame retardant?
The standard version is not certified as flame retardant. The manufacturer prepares a version meeting the BS 5852 standard on request. If your venue requires such certification, mention it in your enquiry and we will check availability and lead time.
Will wine stains come out of this fabric?
The water-repellent finish makes freshly spilled wine bead up. If it is blotted quickly, it usually leaves no mark. Dried stains are cleaned with a damp cloth and a mild upholstery cleaner.
Will the colour on the swatch be the same as on the furniture?
The swatch shows the real shade and texture of the material. Slight shade differences may occur between production batches, so if you are adding furniture to existing fittings it is worth mentioning this when ordering.
Which LumoMeble furniture can I choose Foster for?
For all upholstered furniture in our range: bar booths, restaurant chairs, bar stools and benches. Simply choose the fabric and colour in the product configurator.
