Universal Expands Modern Collection

October 22, 2019  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, High Point, Industry, Market   

First introduced in the fall of 2016, Modern’s newest offering is a mix of American and European modern styles, featuring perpendicular lines and natural and muted colors.

“I’ll admit it was a bit of a gamble when we first introduced it,” said Universal Furniture President and CEO Jeff Scheffer. “It was bold, unlike anything we’d developed, but retailers and designers both fell in love with it. And then they wanted more.”

“Part of its appeal is its flexibility,” added Scheffer. “It may look modern on its own, but it’s easily mixed into transitional spaces.”

Additions to the collection encompass the whole home—accent, living, dining, entertainment and upholstery furnishings. In all, 18 pieces have been added to Modern. The pieces feature two finishes: main finish in Quartered Eucalyptus and an accent finish in White Lacquer. Select pieces combine the finishes for a two-tone effect. Stone also plays an important role. Many surfaces are topped with Carrara marble or a virtually indestructible ceramic laminate. Drawers are soft close with maple veneer interiors.

Sectional: A sleek, five-piece sectional, offered in two Moore and Giles full-grain leathers (Sea Salt and White Cloud), features a fully sprung low profile back with track arms, power motion controls, a footrest and an articulating headrest. Feather-blend seat backs offer sink-in comfort and seat cushions feature individually pocketed coils in a down feather blend wrap. 

Bed: A fully upholstered bed is defined by its wide, low profile headboard that spans 143 inches. The 52-inch-high headboard, with optional wings, is upholstered to give a reeded or tubular appearance.

Media console: A white rectangular wooden frame houses a floating, four-door console sans hardware. Its doors are upholstered in a diamond-quilted faux taupe leather. The same treatment can be seen in one of the nightstand options.

Rectangular Dining Table: Perhaps the most striking addition to Modern is the rectangular dining table.  A white, rounded rectangular formal dining table is topped with a revolutionary ceramic slab, imprinted with a marble pattern and laminated to glass – making it virtually indestructible. Beneath, crisscross steel table legs are powder-coated white.

Round Dining table: Multiple stainless-steel hairpin legs form a star base underneath a clear, glass-top dining table measuring 54 inches in diameter.