Creating finely crafted nautical-inspired awnings was something Matt Sperry sort of sailed into.

Son of Steve Sperry, who founded the successful Sperry Sails 35 years ago in Marion and later Sperry Tents, Matt grew up on the water and in the workshop.

With Sperry Fabric Architecture, Matt, a Marion resident, has combined the two family businesses with a creative spin.

“People were looking for shade for their houses. We wanted to come up with a creative way to do them that was interesting to look at and functional,” said Matt.

Matt started Sperry Fabric five years ago. It all began when a family asked the Sperrys to design an awning for their home.

“A lot of people want something that is not like your standard frame retractable awning. There aren’t a lot of options for that, so that’s where we come in,” said Matt.

Although Matt has no architectural or design training, he said his experiences traveling provide plenty of inspiration.

“I got hooked on designing and creating interesting looking spaces,” said Matt.

For each job, Matt is chief designer. “That is my passion, which I won’t give up for a while,” he said. “The design and creativity part is what keeps me excited about the job.”

Since the company also makes the tents used at Sperry Tents, his brother’s rental company, Matt didn’t try to expand the creative side of  his business too quickly.

But he said, “In the past two years, it’s just taken off. We didn’t push it very hard for a while. It just became popular.”

Matt and his 14 employees work in a converted barn in Rochester where they make everything from the metal fittings to the wooden posts for the awnings. “It’s very similar to sail making,” he said.

Using the same steel rigging found on boats also makes sense. “[It’s] all rugged, it’s nautical. It’s good looking,” he said.

That’s important for the outdoor structures, which often face the same heavy winds and rain that boats do, and people have responded well to the designs.

“More and more, people like to be outside in an interesting looking environment,” he explained. “It’s become a great niche for us.”

The company’s structures be found in backyards across the South Coast as well as in commercial venues and events.

The Wave in Marion features one of Sperry Fabric’s custom awnings. And while most business has been on the East Coast, the company’s client base is expanding.

Recently, Matt designed a tent for a wedding in Big Sur, California.

Matt said now is the busy season for the team, but being a full-service company, they aren’t done when people go inside for the winter. Sperry services most of its structures – taking them down, repairing and storing them in the fall.

Even though the Sperry Fabric Architecture has definitely made a name for itself, when asked what’s up next, Matt offers a surprising answer.

“Slow down. I’m at a place where I don’t think I want to grow too much more. If we keep growing, we won’t have any time,” he said.

Sperry Fabric Architecture will be one of a number of local artisans at the Southeastern Mass Artisan Exposition on the grounds of Sippican School, June 29 and 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, click here.