Universal Furniture Unveils Modern Farmhouse Collection

September 30, 2020  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

“Modern Farmhouse is a reflection of the U.S. market’s desire for a simple, relaxing, informal home, but we’ve also included influences from Europe, where designers are using an abundance of natural and woven materials,” said Shannon Lookabill, director of product development. “They are also enjoying high-performance surfaces that mimic wood and stone.”

The new collection previewed at pre-market to rave reviews and the full collection can be seen in October. The main finish is Buttermilk, a natural, almost clear coating highlighting the grain of the pin-knotty oak veneers. Secondary finishes include a Weathered Gray and white Picket Fence. The most interesting finish is Rustic Oak, a whitewash over coarse-grained wood with chatter marks. There is also blacksmith style metal called Pepper and a honed white stone named Sugar. Two natural materials take center stage in the accents, a woven water hyacinth and slimit, a highly durable, unprocessed rattan species.

Casegoods and accent pieces are clean and modern but not polished. Forms are simple, legs are straight or tapered and the styles have subtle details: a gallery topped nightstand, two different door mouldings on the chests, chatter marks on white wood or contrasting wood finishes. A vertical end grain on select pieces gives the appearance of a solid wood slab.

Upholstery

Peyton Banquette - New to the upholstery lineup is the 64-inch-wide Peyton, the company’s first banquette with a striped seat back created from four different fabrics. Like other frames in the collection, it is also available in more than 400 fabrics as part of the company’s special order upholstery program.

Brooke Sofa – is modern with chunky, sloped arms, a two cushion back, bench seat and wooden block feet. Also available as a chair and ottoman. Welt is replaced by baseball stitching to create a modern, but not formal appearance.   

Hugh Sofa – is a fresh take on the classic Chesterfield with tufted back and two cushion seat, but sans welt. Also comes as a chair and ottoman.

Case pieces

Collins Chest – this 38-inch-wide bachelor’s chest in the Weathered Gray finish has pyramid-stepped drawer fronts with bar hardware. Bottom drawer has cedar lining. 

Huntley Display Cabinet – the Huntley uses vertically planked chatter board on the front, metal trimmed glass doors with mullions and Weathered Gray vertical planking on the inside.

Small Leg Dining Table – Perfect for older homes or narrow spaces this rectangular table is 36-inches-wide with square legs featuring an inset high pressure laminate top. Seen in designs in Europe, this durable surface handles heat, scratches, stains and moisture.

Beds

Delancey Bed – Slipcovered wing back headboard, footboard and rails. Slipcover removes for cleaning and can be ordered in more than 400 fabrics. Order extra slipcovers for seasonal changeouts.

Kent Poster Bed - Four round, slender metal posts with tester define this neat and trim bed. The look is modern with an antiqued pewter (Pepper) finish. Upholstered inset headboard in an off-white fabric.

Haines Bed - The panel headboard takes a cue from five-panel interior doors, often found in early 20^th century bungalows. In buttermilk finish.

Seaton Bed – Headboard (54 inches high), footboard (16 inches high) and rails of woven water hyacinth. The headboard features a horizontal stripe composed of abaca rope.