Outer Unveils New Collection, Teak

March 15, 2021  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

Made exclusively from the highest-quality, sustainably-sourced teak wood in the world, the new collection re-envisions the traditional approach to designing teak furniture and instead takes its style and shape cues from the automobile world. Inspired by the flowing lines and forward movement of automobile design, the seat and back are integrated with a gentle curved transition and kicked-back legs form a sturdy stance.

Grown in mineral-rich volcanic soil in Java, the warm, honey-colored timbers offer a tight grain and an abundance of natural oils that serve as a protective barrier against the elements, creating a durable and long-lasting piece for years to come. Every Teak product is proudly Forest Stewardship Council certified, which guarantees that the wood is harvested from sustainably managed forests. In addition, Outer has partnered with the nonprofit organization, One Tree Planted, to ensure that for every Teak chair and sofa sold, 15+ saplings will be planted in partner forests.

“Trees are vital to our world. A single teak tree can absorb 10kg of carbon every year, helping maintain Earth's carbon balance in the face of massive climate change,” says Terry Lin, co-founder and chief design officer for Outer. “We are thrilled to see the reforestation impact we, as a growing company, can make through our partnerships with One Tree Planted and 1% For the Planet.”

The launch of Outer’s Teak Collection follows a series of major milestones for the startup, including a $10.5 million Series A funding round led by Sequoia Capital China and growth into the accessories category with their line of eco-friendly 1188 Rugs, named after the total amount of recycled plastic bottles used to create each outdoor rug. In 2021, Outer will continue to grow both its product offerings and its Neighborhood Showroom footprint to more than 1,000 real customers’ backyards across the country.

“The debut of our Teak Collection is a significant addition to Outer’s existing portfolio, which previously consisted of only our original Wicker collection,” says Lin. “We introduced this style to cater to our consumers’ needs and further create more diverse options for all style preferences. Following our Series A Funding in January, we’ve been able to test different materials, and ultimately, create a beautiful product for our customer that puts comfort, durability, and sustainability at the forefront.”

The Teak Collection consists of eight products and style configurations including:

• Armless Chair
• Armless 2-Seater Sofa
• Corner Chair
• Sectional Chair
• Tapered Leg Coffee Table
• Square Leg Coffee Table
• Concrete Inlay Coffee Table (launching in May)

Outer’s Teak Collection includes the startups’ stain-resistant, multi-layer memory foam cushions with patented OuterShell covers that quickly roll out and over the cushions to protect them from everyday dirt, debris and morning dew.