Meet&CoATLANTA — Furniture supplier Sunset West brought its largest new product launch in more than a decade to Casual Market Atlanta this July. It introduced five collections at market, building upon the resort-inspired Playa and Cabo groups launched last year.
Rather than treating each collection as a self-contained presentation, the supplier designed the introductions to work across multiple coordinated vignettes and encourage mixing and matching collections and finishes.
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“Our story is mix and match, and we had a really strong introduction last year with Playa and Cabo, which are very resort-style, oversized groups,” said Aliena-Klaus Squire. “We introduced accompanying collections to mix and match because our ethos is combining textures, materials and complementary colorways to create a high-end look.”
By combining products, she said, retailers can show three or four collections within a single vignette. That can improve floor efficiency and inventory management while producing a presentation that looks more distinctive.
“People furnish their homes in a more eclectic way now,” Squire said. “They want something that feels unique and personal to their style rather than simply buying a matching set.”
Bringing the newness and broadening the scope
She described the introductions as a “shock of re-energization,” with collections such as Encinitas adding excitement to the broader presentation.
That design push is supported by a domestic inventory model intended to reduce the commitment required from retailers. Sunset West does not require container purchases and operates warehouses on both coasts, allowing available product to ship in two weeks or less.
“We also offer made-to-order product with nearly 500 fabrics,” Squire said. “We currently turn those orders around in six or seven weeks, even during peak season.”
Domestic cushion production, quick shipping and made-to-order capabilities can be particularly valuable for retailers that cannot invest heavily in inventory or are still working through goods purchased from other suppliers last year, she added.
Although Sunset West operates primarily in the high-end outdoor category, Squire said the line includes enough variation to reach a broader price scope within that elevated range.“We offer different price points without sacrificing the design,” she said.
Mixed materiality anchors new collections
The Maui and Kona collections illustrate Sunset West’s emphasis on mixing materials, textures and finishes.
Maui is a solid teak group featuring swept arms, a paddle-style tuxedo back, split-back construction and a wrapped deck. Its tables are made from hand-sanded grade A teak.
Kona, meanwhile, is designed to coordinate with Cabo and uses a darker finish called Dark Roast. The design was inspired by lava flows, harsh volcanic rock and Hawaii‘s surf culture,” she said. “Traditional koa board carving and paddles used for outrigger canoeing and surfing are reflected in some of the shapes.”
The collection is made from solid teak with a wire-brushed surface and hand-applied finish. Sunset West offers maintenance kits for the finish and covers it for three years.
“We’ve seen a lot of success with teak recently,” Squire said. “Styles and materials are cyclical, and while teak is a classic, enduring material that will never go away, you do see consumers’ interest wax and wane.”
The darker wood, extra-deep seating and contrast among its materials give Kona a more luxurious appearance, Squire said. It also demonstrates how Sunset West is using material combinations to move beyond the look of a conventional matched outdoor set.
