142 wicked! wicked! 143 wicked ShowcaSe – UniverSal SoUrcing & Marketing wicked ShowcaSe – UniverSal SoUrcing & Marketing So it’s summer year-round here, with wet and dry hardly being any form of variety. Still, it doesn’t mean that we’re without options. Curl up with a couple of magazines on a rattan chaise lounge in your garden, or stay cool and meditate under a giant umbrella; you could even tan by the pool on a sun chair, or have an alfresco family dinner around an ornate Balinese table. It’s about adapting to the situation – or simply having the right furniture to turn your outdoors into an extension of the indoors. However, unlike your indoor pieces, outdoor furniture is vulnerable to the elements, and constant heat, heavy rains and intense humidity can cause rapid damage. That is why it is important to buy them from a company that will see you through all sorts of bad weather. Universal Sourcing & Marketing (USAM) carries some of the most durable and highest quality outdoor furnishing products in the market – at reasonable prices, of course. And what else is extraordinary about them? Their level of after-sales service continues throughout the entire lifespan of the product! All USAM products come with an extensive warranty, while their staff oversee and supervise delivery and installation, taking the time to ensure your new purchase is assembled perfectly and situated in the best possible spot. They also offer free demonstrations on product care and maintenance at your request. All replacement parts for furniture from the original US suppliers are also sold, and there is a team of repairmen and service staff who are trained to install them. Once the furniture is assembled, a protective coat of Tropi-Clean Environmental Polish is applied by hand. This will keep your furniture looking new and make cleaning it easier. USAM also sells unique cleaning products that will protect your furniture from dirt and acid rain, remove oxidation, or inhibit UV rays to keep colours bright. USAM products include chairs, loveseats, settees, stools, ottomans, benches, lounge chairs, tables, cushions and umbrellas from top US manufacturers. Most of the pieces are constructed out of premium grade weather-resistant materials such as aluminium, steel, synthetic wicker, marine grade fabrics, vinyl, PE Weave and Rotoform3 that is specifically designed for use outdoors. Some of the trusted brands you’ll find at USAM include: TROPITONE Founded in 1954, Tropitone operates three factories in the US that manufacture powder-coated, aluminium- frame outdoor furniture that is suitable for the most rigorous contract and commercial installations. As America’s leading outdoor furniture manufacturer, and worldwide leader of quality outdoor furniture, they can be found in some of the most luxurious hotels, swimming pools, beach fronts, alfresco restaurants, gardens and balconies around the world. No matter what your taste, Tropitone has something that will appeal to you. Their traditional designs are luxuriously crafted and exquisitely detailed, with furniture sets, slings, umbrellas and cushions that transcend eras, outlasting any ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ trend. Both formal and graciously casual, the traditional style furniture can be used in gazebos, screened rooms, greenhouses and solariums and will infuse your outdoor spaces with a timeless charm. Sleek and urban, Tropitone’s contemporary outdoor patio furniture designs will meet your modern desires without sacrificing the easy comfort of outdoor living. Minimalist, yet eye-catching, simple shapes and bold designs inspire a calm serenity. If you’re looking for a refreshing alternative, check out the classical styles. Elegantly handcrafted, the details are subtle and restrained, adding both presence and comfort to your outdoor living spaces. Breezier and more casual than the traditional collection, yet more understated than the contemporary. So whether it’s a café table set, bar stool, chaise longue, recliner or accessories like umbrellas and ottomans, Tropitone’s comprehensive selection will satisfy all your outdoor furnishing desires. GET OUT! TEXT MICHELE KOH
So it’s summer year-round here, with wet and dry hardly being any form of variety. Still, it doesn’t mean that we’re without options. Curl up with a couple of magazines on a rattan chaise lounge in your garden, or stay cool and meditate under a giant umbrella; you could even tan by the pool on a sun chair, or have an alfresco family dinner around an ornate Balinese table. It’s about adapting to the situation – or simply having the right furniture to turn your outdoors into an extension of the indoors.
However, unlike your indoor pieces, outdoor furniture is vulnerable to the elements, and constant heat, heavy rains and intense humidity can cause rapid damage. That is why it is important to buy them from a company that will see you through all sorts of bad weather. Universal Sourcing & Marketing (USAM) carries some of the most durable and highest quality outdoor furnishing products in the market – at reasonable prices, of course. And what else is extraordinary about them? Their level of after-sales service continues throughout the entire lifespan of the product!
All USAM products come with an extensive warranty, while their staff oversee and supervise delivery and installation, taking the time to ensure your new purchase is assembled perfectly and situated in the best possible spot. They also offer free demonstrations on product care and maintenance at your request. All replacement parts for furniture from the original US suppliers are also sold, and there is a team of repairmen and service staff who are trained to install them. Once the furniture is assembled, a protective coat of Tropi-Clean Environmental Polish is applied by hand. This will keep your furniture
looking new and make cleaning it easier. USAM also sells unique cleaning products that will protect your furniture from dirt and acid rain, remove oxidation, or inhibit UV rays to keep
colours bright. USAM products include chairs, loveseats, settees, stools,
ottomans, benches, lounge chairs, tables, cushions and umbrellas from top US manufacturers. Most of the pieces are constructed out of premium grade weather-resistant materials such as aluminium, steel, synthetic wicker,
marine grade fabrics, vinyl, PE Weave and Rotoform3 that is specifically designed for use outdoors. Some of the trusted
brands you’ll find at USAM include:
TROPITONEFounded in 1954, Tropitone operates three factories in the US that manufacture powder-coated, aluminium-frame outdoor furniture that is suitable for the most rigorous contract and commercial installations.
As America’s leading outdoor furniture manufacturer, and worldwide leader of quality outdoor furniture, they can be found in some of the most luxurious hotels, swimming pools, beach fronts, alfresco restaurants, gardens and balconies around the world. No matter what your taste, Tropitone has something that will appeal to you.
Their traditional designs are luxuriously crafted and exquisitely detailed, with furniture sets, slings, umbrellas and cushions that transcend eras, outlasting any ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ trend. Both formal and graciously casual, the traditional style furniture can be used in gazebos, screened rooms, greenhouses and solariums and will infuse your outdoor spaces with a timeless charm.
Sleek and urban, Tropitone’s contemporary outdoor patio furniture designs will meet your modern desires without sacrificing the easy comfort of outdoor living. Minimalist, yet eye-catching, simple shapes and bold designs inspire a calm serenity.
If you’re looking for a refreshing alternative, check out the classical styles. Elegantly handcrafted, the details are subtle and restrained, adding both presence and comfort to your outdoor living spaces. Breezier and more casual than the traditional collection, yet more understated than the contemporary.
So whether it’s a café table set, bar stool, chaise longue, recliner or accessories like umbrellas and ottomans, Tropitone’s comprehensive selection will satisfy all your outdoor furnishing desires.
VENEMAN COLLECTIONSThe Veneman collection is conceived by designers and craftsmen whose goal is to create fine furniture that enhances the pleasure of contemporary casual living. They offer designs in both contemporary and traditional presentations suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Veneman is famous for its exclusive designs and each piece of furniture is hand cast and finished.
Founded almost 40 years ago as a cast aluminium manufacturer in Southern California, Veneman has a rich history of transforming raw materials into uniquely artful, yet comfortable, easy-to-maintain, high quality furniture. This legacy of artisanship is the legacy that sets their furniture apart from many ‘mass market’ versions available today. The brand upholds a strong tradition of design integrity and leadership that has been inspired by some
TUUCIShade is what TUUCI specialises in, and for over 10 years they have been creating the most innovative, unique and stylish shade platforms in the industry. Founded by Dougan Clarke, TUUCI was born from the marine industry. This means that every single parasol, lounge and cabana they produce has been meticulously engineered to perform without question, in even the harshest environments. But more importantly, they also turn heads with their unparalleled style and beauty.
With incredibly durable, 100 per cent replaceable parts, TUUCI’s parasols, pavilions and lounges will keep you cool outdoors. It is Mother Nature’s wondrous forms and raw beauty that inspire TUUCI products; from manufacturing to recycling, all parts of the process incorporate the intent of minimising our environmental footprint.
Winner of the Design Excellence Awards from 2000 to 2005, the Lillian B. Winchester ‘Best of Show’ at the International Casual Furniture Market 2001 and 2005, the Hospitality Design Award 2001, Editor’s Choice Award for ‘Best New Product 2004’, and ‘Best of Boutique Award 2004’, among others, it’s easy to see why they lay claim as a leader in their industry. Their shade products are created based on a modular system, which simplifies maintenance and increases resilience to the outdoor elements. Styles vary from contemporary to vintage, with a touch of magic and glamour.
of the most enduring and elegant themes throughout history. Their furniture pieces are made using the Veneman Sand Casting process, where only
356 grade aluminium ingots – known to be the purest and most resilient aluminium alloys – are used to increase the weight, strength, and overall design quality of the frame. This truly unique process requires that the item first be cast in a sand mould, then assembled and finished by hand, exemplifying the commitment of the artisans at Veneman. In addition to cast aluminium, the range of materials used includes plantation-grown teak and all-weather wicker.
The Veneman Group is committed to creating products of exceptional quality and unique designs while staying true to their mantra that “the best and most desirable items are handcrafted from design to finish”.
LA-FÊTE, THE SCENE OUTDOORS Noted for striking sculptural lounge seating made from durable and lightweight weatherproof materials, la-Fête is a Los Angeles-based company that offers a sexy neo-Bauhaus-inspired concept in outdoor living. Its luminescent white modular lounges and resort beds are suitable for poolsides, clubs, lounges, decks, roof gardens, spas, and events. The proven patented technology and recyclable materials make la-Fête ideal for ergonomic comfort, versatility and easy care.
They offer a new concept for outdoor furniture with modern, elegant, sculpted lines, creating comfortable, lightweight, modular outdoor tables, chairs and settees that can be arranged in a flexible layout. la-Fete also offers slipcovers, signature embroidered or screened covers, pillows and accessories to revamp your lounge seats for different occasions.
Their pieces have a weatherproof encasement, and come with marine-grade vinyl covers that are stain, fungal and mildew resistant, and easily replaceable, letting you easily change to a new colour scheme, or freshen up a damaged cover to restore a piece. Furniture from la-Fete is also eco-friendly as 95 per cent of the materials used in the construction process are recyclable. They are also durable, with a long lifespan and are easy to maintain and clean.
SHELBY WILLIAMSCredited with the popularisation of the banquet chair in 1959, Shelby Williams has maintained the market pole position for hospitality in seating worldwide. This brand is a favourite with interior designers working on hospitality installations such as hotels, restaurants, casinos and country clubs. Because they provide the broadest product offering, you will likely find a design that’s for you when you flip through a Shelby Williams catalogue. They also offer custom-designed products and function requirements, with relatively short lead times. These include metal and wood seating, rattan, fully upholstered seating, tables, banquets and casino products.
Within the last two decades, contemporary wood styles influenced by Italian furniture design have increased in popularity, and the enduring appeal of wood works great for gazebos and solariums. The Shelby Williams wood seating line includes contemporary, traditional and transitional designs that are stately or versatile.
They also offer tabletops and table bases that can be permanent fixtures or stowed away for occasional use. Shelby Williams is especially ideal for commercial use at conferences or for designers looking for customised furnishings for lounges, restaurants or cafés.
FALCONSince its inception in 1959, Falcon has been a market leader in restaurant tables and chairs. In 1984, they created a turnkey solution, which forever changed the way quick service restaurants handled renovation. And in 1990, the company diversified and began focusing on the contract office market. This initiative was a success and Falcon also became a leader in the corporate training industry. Their award-winning M.A.T.S and Folio tables have become industry staples, and other products like wood and metal seating, conference tables, booths and custom millwork can be found in restaurants and fast food outlets everywhere. Falcon also offers layout and installation services.
So if you entertain regularly outdoors or are holding large banquets and events, and require easy to store furniture, then Falcon will have what you need. A product that makes a good portable, outdoor piece is the Curv; an exceptional table system consisting of a variety of shapes and integrated power options. This flexible system can be easily reconfigured to suit the changing needs of the room’s environment. It is available with T-mold or 21-ply exposed plywood edge, in laminate, veneer, or high performance veneer, in work or stand-up heights. The tables may be connected or used separately. Circular table configurations can be created by using three, four, or five tables as a unit. w
