Maxwell Fabrics
Established in 1953 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Maxwell Fabrics represents three generations of Canadian textile expertise and innovation. Founded by Maxwell Garaway as Vancouver Quilting Ltd, the first company in Western Canada to utilize multi-quilt machines. Maxwell Fabrics has evolved from creating custom quilted bedspreads into one of North America's most respected suppliers of modern classic fabrics to the interior design trade.
At Kessels Upholstery in Ottawa, we're delighted to offer Maxwell Fabrics' comprehensive collections of upholstery, drapery, and decorative textiles. Supporting a fellow Canadian business whilst providing our clients with outstanding quality and service creates the perfect partnership for discerning Ottawa homeowners and designers.
A Legacy Built on Quality and Service
Maxwell Fabrics' success story is deeply rooted in family values and customer relationships. Throughout the 1970s, founder Maxwell Garaway brought his children into the business—son Larry took charge of operations whilst daughter Darlene focused on design and creativity. Together, they transformed the company from decorative bedspread patterns into large-scale wholesale fabric distribution. In 1979, Maxwell Fabrics proudly developed its first stack book program, marking a pivotal moment in the company's evolution.
The second generation took leadership when Darlene Ames became Vice-President of Design and Larry Garaway was promoted to President. Today, the third generation continues this legacy of excellence, with Oren Garaway (Larry's son and Maxwell's grandson) carrying forward the family's commitment to quality, innovation, and superlative customer service.
Modern Classic Design Philosophy
Maxwell Fabrics has carved out a distinctive niche with its "modern classic" aesthetic; fabrics that balance contemporary trends with timeless appeal. The design team constantly scours the globe for inspiration, anticipating design trends and bringing fresh perspectives to each seasonal collection. This fashion-forward approach ensures that Maxwell Fabrics remains at the forefront of interior textile trends whilst maintaining the authentic and timeless design principles that have defined the company for over seven decades.
Each season, Maxwell Fabrics releases thoughtfully curated collections with creative themes that capture specific moods and aesthetics. Recent collections have drawn inspiration from diverse sources: Italian summer afternoons, moonlit gardens, the American Southwest meeting Art Deco glamour, and the coastal preppy style of the American South. This thematic approach creates cohesive collections that tell stories and evoke emotions whilst offering practical, durable fabrics for real homes.
Comprehensive Product Range
Maxwell Fabrics offers an extensive selection of textiles designed for every application in residential and commercial interiors. The collection includes luxurious chenilles with rich texture and depth, sophisticated cotton and polyester jacquards with dimensional patterns, stunning embroidered linens that add refined detail, plush velvets and mohair blends in saturated colours, contemporary printed fabrics with fashion-forward motifs, and durable outdoor-suitable fabrics for Canadian climates.
Many Maxwell Fabrics products feature advanced stain-resistant technologies. FibreGuard technology builds permanent spill and stain protection directly into the fibre structure, lasting the life of the fabric. ALTA permanent soil and stain resistance offers similar protection, making Maxwell Fabrics an excellent choice for busy family homes and high-traffic commercial applications. This combination of beauty and practicality reflects the company's understanding of real-world design needs.
Beyond fabrics, Maxwell Fabrics offers coordinating wallcoverings and a line of decorative drapery hardware available exclusively in Canada. This comprehensive approach allows designers and homeowners to create cohesive interiors with consistent quality throughout.
Telafina: The Luxury Collection
In January 2009, Maxwell Fabrics launched Telafina, meaning "fine fabric" in Spanish, as an elevated collection showcasing extraordinary larger-scale designs and luxury constructions. Telafina was created to offer something special to style-conscious customers whilst remaining true to Maxwell Fabrics' commitment to value pricing and exceptional service.
Telafina collections are designer-driven capsule collections featuring exclusive, elevated constructions with a focus on natural fibre content and seasonless appeal. The line includes sumptuous mohair blends in rich colourways, luxurious bouclés with permanent stain resistance, stunning geometric cut velvets, and bold fashionable patterns that serve as décor focal points. Each Telafina season is designed to layer with previous collections, allowing designers to build depth and sophistication over time.
The Telafina aesthetic represents the pinnacle of Maxwell Fabrics' design capabilities; curated selections inspired by the design team's travels around the world, featuring premium constructions and sophisticated colour palettes that elevate any interior.
North American Distribution and Service
Maxwell Fabrics maintains strategic warehouse locations in both Vancouver, British Columbia, and Concord, North Carolina, allowing for efficient service across North America. This dual-location approach means faster delivery times for Ottawa clients and the ability to stock more fabrics for immediate shipping; a significant advantage when project timelines are tight.
The Vancouver showroom, located in the Design Centre at 611 Alexander Street, showcases the complete Maxwell and Telafina collections in the heart of the design community. The company's investment in showroom presence and inventory reflects its commitment to serving design professionals with the tools and resources they need for successful projects.
Maxwell Fabrics represents Canadian design excellence; a third-generation family business with over 70 years of textile expertise based right here in Canada. The modern classic aesthetic offers timeless appeal with contemporary relevance, whilst seasonal collections ensure access to current trends and fresh inspiration.
The company's reputation for exceptional customer service is legendary in the industry, backed by North American warehouses that enable fast, reliable delivery. From the accessible Maxwell Fabrics line to the luxury Telafina collection, clients enjoy comprehensive range and value pricing across all product tiers. Advanced stain-resistant technologies like FibreGuard and ALTA provide practical performance for Canadian lifestyles, whilst the addition of coordinating wallcoverings and drapery hardware creates opportunities for complete interior solutions.
As an authorized Maxwell Fabrics dealer in Ottawa, Kessels Upholstery provides access to the full range of collections, expert guidance on selecting the perfect fabrics for your project, and professional upholstery services that bring these beautiful Canadian textiles into your home with precision and care.
Visit Our Ottawa Showroom
Experience Maxwell Fabrics' modern classic collections in person at Kessels Upholstery Ottawa. Our showroom at 107 Colonnade Road South features current season fabrics from both the Maxwell Fabrics and Telafina lines, allowing you to see and feel the quality Canadian craftsmanship firsthand. Our knowledgeable team can help you navigate the extensive collections, order samples for your home, and create custom upholstery pieces that showcase Maxwell Fabrics' distinctive style.