Xorel by Carnegie: The Unicorn of Textiles

Originally written by Baresque - adapted for Carnegie Convo

In interior design, there are only a few materials that truly shift our expectations—combining performance, aesthetics, and sustainability without compromise. Xorel by Carnegie is one of them.

Often referred to as the “unicorn of textiles,” Xorel has built its reputation on durability, refined design, and a long-standing commitment to responsible material innovation. Since its introduction in 1981 as an alternative to vinyl wallcoverings, Xorel has challenged industry norms—proving that high performance doesn’t always come at the expense of healthier materials.

Today, that vision continues with Biobased Xorel, which replaces fossil fuel inputs with rapidly renewable sugarcane—achieving up to 85% biobased content while maintaining the strength and longevity designers rely on.

Upholstery Xorel Denali and Xorel Acadia

Xorel is engineered for real-world use across high-traffic environments like hospitality, workplace, healthcare, education, and other public spaces. Its performance isn’t applied - it’s inherent to the fiber itself.

• Exceeds Type II wallcovering standards

• Withstands rigorous cleaning without degradation

• Colorfast, tackable, and built to last decades

• Maintains texture, depth, and visual integrity over time

The result is a material that works as hard as the spaces it’s designed for.

Beyond performance, Xorel offers designers flexibility across applications - from wallcoverings to upholstery, panels, and wrapped surfaces. Its consistency in texture and color allows for a cohesive material story across an entire space, even where functional needs vary.

With Biobased Xorel, Carnegie continues to push material innovation forward - reducing reliance on fossil fuels while maintaining industry-leading durability. Backed by certifications like Cradle to Cradle Gold and the Living Product Challenge, Xorel reflects a commitment to transparency, accountability, and long-term impact.

This is a condensed version of an article originally written by Baresque. To diver deeper into Xorel’s performance, applications, and real-world projects, read the full article here.

Brooke Kanell is a Content Marketing Specialist at Carnegie, where she creates content that brings the brand’s materials and stories to life. With a background in marketing and a passion for all things creative, she enjoys sharing the inspiration, people, and ideas shaping Carnegie’s work. Brooke’s goal is to make design feel engaging, welcoming, and easy to connect with.