Seamless transitions

Andreu World has launched an outdoor furniture line.
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No longer the poor, practical relation of its indoor counterparts, outdoor furniture has undergone something of a transformation. From an aesthetic point of view, the days of ‘drab but durable’ have come to a close, and the boundaries between indoors and out are being irreversibly broken down.

As a result, an increasing number of furniture manufacturers are turning to outdoor furniture as an obvious next step in their evolution. Clients are demanding a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, creating obvious opportunity for companies that can service both.

Natural progression

“As a specialist in residential and contract furniture, we were constantly being asked to ‘complete’ our collection with outdoor products. That is why we launched our outdoor range and now our products can dress not only restaurants, bars, offices and residences, but also their pool areas, gardens, patios, outdoor restaurants and so on, all with the same spirit,” explained Roberto García, area sales manager, Andreu World.

García cited unique design, innovation, quality and versatility as the key components of effective outdoor furniture. “Probably the best way to succeed with a new product is to make it attractive, practical, of good quality and original. We take all these matters very seriously, focusing on them from the design stage, carrying out tests for comfort and quality, and working on new materials,” García maintained.

“Our outdoor collection is the result of years of study of new materials, among which are Ecolingus, a FSC-certified wood which is extremely resistant to environmental aggressions, fungi and bacteria. We are also using ceramic and slate for the table tops,” he added.

Roche Bobois has also identified potential in the outdoor furniture sector, and recently launched Bel Air, its first ever outdoor collection. According to Nicolas Roche, director of the Les Contemporains and Les Voyages collections, and son of company founder, Francois Roche, creating an outdoor collection was a natural evolution for a company that is present in some 40 countries, with 240 stores. “The trend now is for people to do more things outdoors and to spend more and more time living in their gardens. Moreover, our outdoor collection can be used as indoor furniture as well,” said Roche.

Bel Air was designed by Belgrade-born designer and long-time Roche Bobois collaborator, Sacha Lakic. The extensive outdoor collection consists of sofa units, loveseats, chairs, bridges and pedestal tables, created in woven polyethylene fabric.

The pieces are adorned in Missoni Home fabric, combining browns, greens, yellows and blues to conjure up an essence of the Garden of Eden.

“Hand-woven, the fully recyclable synthetic fibres create soft and loose shapes, like a stretched skin over a frame. A very unique collection, Bel Air is an invitation to extend to the outdoors, the comfort you cherish inside,” Roche commented.

“The collection is natural, fluid, smooth, horizontal and melts into the landscape. It is modular, recyclable and light. The designs of Roche Bobois are elegant, quiet and accessible.”

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Recognising the growing importance of aesthetics in the outdoor space, Spanish outdoor furniture specialist, Kettal, has launched a new collection of outdoor rugs, designed by Patricia Urquiola.

Made of Chenilletex and protected by a layer of non-slip PVC, they are available in ‘Kernel’ red or brown, and ‘Paddock’ red or brown.

Also new from the company is Kettal Landscape, a collection of configurable day beds and pergolas.

The collection also features an armchair, as well as a dining table with a ceramic or matt glass tabletop, which includes a new integrated extension system. Kettal Landscape is made up of aluminium and the new Natte structured fabric, which creates volume and comfort.

Moving forward, manufacturers will continue to experiment with materials and textures, predicted David Sutherland, CEO and president of the US-headquartered Sutherland Furniture. “I think we will see terrific combinations of materials and designs leading the industry and those who are successful in that arena will lead the way.”

Established in 1994, as a collaboration between David Sutherland and the internationally-acclaimed furniture designer John Hutton, Sutherland Furniture pioneered tailored cushion deep-seating collections for the outdoors, and was also the first company to introduce fully-upholstered outdoor collections.

The company’s latest offering, the Great Lakes Collection, features a combination of aluminum and recycled HDPE lumber in a weathered grey colour and matte surface. “We call it Ecoplex. The materials are easily maintained and completely UV stable and stain resistant,” Sutherland said.

“The level of maintenance required coupled with the cool touch of the material in direct sunlight make it an ideal combination for the outdoor environment worldwide,” he continued.

EcoPlex contains 97% post-consumer recycled plastics by weight. Designed by Terry Hunziker, the product offers durability that is almost entirely maintenance free, with built-in resistance to moisture, fading, insects, splintering, warping and other environmental hazards.