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Universal Furniture and Coastal Living Launch Outdoor Collection

Furniture World News Desk on 10/14/2020


Universal Furniture announces that it has made a move into the outdoor market with Coastal Living Outdoor, a comprehensive piece collection consisting of over 100 SKUs that includes casegoods and upholstery for living, dining and lounging outside. This is the third collaboration between Universal Furniture and the Coastal Living brand, and it comes along at an important point in the evolution of outdoor life.

“Outdoor living spaces are more important than ever to our readers,” said Coastal Living and Southern Living Editor-in-Chief Sid Evans.

A recent study from Southern Living magazine, sister publication to Coastal Living, found female consumers have a newfound passion for outdoor living since the pandemic started. Their view of home has evolved from residence to retreat. It’s clear that outdoor space at home is the main place she goes to rest and relax.

“The addition of outdoor allows our brand to evolve into a true whole home provider for our customers,” said Universal Furniture Director of Marketing Neil MacKenzie. “Having the opportunity to enter this space alongside a brand like Coastal Living means we can connect with a targeted customer base by leveraging the reach of the Coastal Living brand and community.” 

To meet the needs of all styles of homes, this broad new collection employs a wide-ranging group of materials to execute traditional, modern, transitional and cottage styles.

  • All-weather wicker – in Brindle, Soft Gray, Cool Gray, Beige, Tawny and Greige colorways made from polyethylene and is recyclable.
  • Teak - Grade A Natural teak and Grade B Weathered Teak.
  • Powder coated aluminum - in Charcoal, Fog, Carbon and Chalk colorways.
  • Cast concrete – is reinforced with fiberglass and comes in Abaco White, Gray Log, Harvested Gray and Speckled Gray.
  • Flat and round woven rope – in Light Gray, Dark Gray, Cobalt, Silver, Smoke, Tan, Charcoal and Ash colorways.


From classic outdoor teak designs to modern shapes and finishes, the collection comprises ten style groups.

  • Chesapeake – Traditional living, dining, lounge and occasional styles in natural teak with dining tables featuring concentric square tops.
  • Montauk – All-weather wicker living, lounge and occasional designs
  • South Beach – Modern designs for dining and living in aluminum and cast concrete
  • Seneca – Aluminum dining, living and lounge seating
  • San Clemente – Modern all-weather wicker and aluminum living and lounge pieces
  • LaJolla – Traditional living and dining designs in weathered teak
  • Geneva – Cast concrete occasional tables
  • Delray- Rope and stone occasional tables
  • Laconia – Woven living room pieces with teak legs
  • Tybee – Transitional aluminum dining and living room designs

 

 

Strength and sustainability of materials

  • The all-weather wicker, a recyclable material, has been tested with full exposure to the sun’s UV rays and outdoor climate for 7,500 hours, well above the industry standard of 3,000-4,000 hours.

 

  • The aluminum is also a recyclable material and it’s recycled within the factory as well, where they use scraps and fall-off, making it an efficient manufacturing process.

 

  • All teak is FSC certified, and harvested from government plantation managed forests.

 

Upholstery

Outdoor upholstery debuts with 20 new frames, part of the special order upholstery program available out of the Conover plant. Frames are made from marine-grade Baltic Birch. The pieces use covers from Sunbrella and Inside Out that are UV fade resistant and bleach cleanable. Protective, custom-fit covers in 25 colors are available to prevent damage from extreme weather.

 

 

About Universal: Universal Furniture creates quality furnishings for the whole home with a focus on function and lifestyle. The company’s casegood, upholstery, accent and accessory designs are developed under the brand names Universal Furniture, Miranda Kerr Home, Coastal Living and Nina Magon, and sold through retailers and interior designers throughout North America and around the world. Founded in 1968, Universal Furniture is a brand of Samson Holdings, one of the world’s largest vertically integrated furniture manufacturers. For more information, visit www.universalfurniture.com.