product spotlight
Lucia Seating from Kingsley Bate
In
Out is
From chat sets to lounge chairs and sectionals, the latest outdoor furniture
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ith the onset of spring and a postpandemic future coming into focus, the patio remains a desirable refuge for homeowners who have discovered the beauty of their backyards. Manufacturers in this issue’s Spotlight are crafting gorgeous furniture for those outdoor spaces. Pretty enough for the living room, but sturdy enough for outdoor spaces, these collections are made for customers seeking real value. “Custom ers are wanting to style their outside rooms with eclectic, special pieces much like they would their indoor space,” says Leisa McCollister, vice president of marketing, OW Lee. “People are less into the ‘matchy-matchy’ sets.” After years of what Jess Flanders calls “monochromatic Scandinavian-inspired minimalism,” the vice president of marketing at Lloyd Flanders Inc., contends that color and pattern are now taking over. “Deep blues, rich greens, and warm earth tones are all popular as homeowners create their own style,” she says. “Stripes are a perennial favorite for outdoor fabrics, as are easy florals and botanical patterns. Another trend is the ‘new traditional’ design style with consumers mixing and matching classic pieces with bolder or more modern items to create a comfortable, custom look.” “In general, we see a trend toward lighter colors
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offerings are in high over darker colors,” adds Brian tiple segments of the demand. Blakeney, vice president of sales & consumer channel so marketing, Kingsley Bate. “Subdued the demographic profile BY GREG THOMPSON natural colors are still the most popular.” varies. Verna describes typiCheck out the baker’s dozen of companies for cal Tropitone consumers as delectable ideas to heat up sales in the warm summer those who are looking for the most months to come. comfortable and durable furniture they can find. The consistent quality comes through via employees TROPITONE FURNITURE who Verna describes as emotionally attached to the Recent product launches at Tropitone Furniture brand. “We are all heavily invested in the success of (Irvine, California) have garnered considerable Tropitone,” he says, “because we care.” momentum, primarily thanks to two complete colFor Tropitone and many others, the global pandemic has led to what Verna characterizes as tremenlections of dining and deep seating, as well as a new range of fire pits. Well received in markets across the dous demand, and Verna foresees more “digital engagement and transactions” in the future, again country, the collections have managed to extend the partially due to the pandemic. value proposition with new price points that target a wide demographic. Consumers of the future are looking to digital tools, but many are also environmentally conscious “The largest shift we have seen is from dining to and willing to look for manufacturers who feel likedeep seating,” says Frank Verna, senior vice president of consumer sales. “We are also seeing shifts to grays wise. “I think it’s important to many consu mers,” and blues, and it is getting even lighter every year. We Verna says. “We have a ‘Green Living’ page on our website, which lays out our commitment to sustainconstantly look for ways to improve the ownership ing and improving the environment.” experience of our product in sling, padded, and cushion as well as our tables and fire pits. The cornerNORTHCAPE stones of the Tropitone value prop are quality and Tom Murray, president of NorthCape (Romeoville, comfort, and these will always remain.” Illinois), keeps a keen eye on style trends primarily Tropitone works strictly through resellers in mul-
