Tropitone expands cushion program

Staff -- Casual Living, 8/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Tropitone is debuting two additional cushion seating collections, Radiance and Ovation, designed to offer superior support, comfort and durability, as well as a soft look and sink-in feel not typically found in outdoor cushions.

"Consumers increasingly want the seating in their outdoor rooms to measure up to the quality, style and comfort of upholstered, indoor furniture," said Michael Echolds, Tropitone CEO.

With these two collections, Tropitone expands its Relax Plus cushion program to a total of five collections, which also include Lakeside, Montreux and Lodge.

Radiance, with its graceful and delicate lines, was initially introduced as a sling seating collection in 2005. A small scroll accents the front and back of each arm and creates a historical reference to the leisurely and gracious lifestyle of a traditional Mediterranean village.

"With the addition of the cushion to Radiance, the overall scale of the collection changes as it takes on a grander and more sumptuous and soft presence," said John Caldwell, who designed the Radiance seating. The Radiance cushion collection includes a dining chair, swivel rocker with a high back, ottoman, chaise lounge, action lounger, love seat, sofa, lounge chair and double glider.

Tropitone's other new seating collection, Ovation, is being launched both as sling and cushion seating. Designed by Frederic Doughty, the Ovation frame has a formal yet simple elegance with long, gently curved legs and dramatic, well-defined oval castings on its wide, slightly crowned-shaped arms. One of Ovation's most distinctive design features is the stretcher, the piece of frame supporting the back of the chair. Doughty called it an example of how he works to incorporate functional elements that have visual appeal.

"We deliberately designed this piece of the frame as well as the arms to be more than twice the width typically seen in casual furniture chair frames," Doughty said. "The result is a chair with a beautiful and timeless silhouette that is also exceptionally strong and comfortable."

The Ovation cushion seating includes a dining chair, swivel rocker, action lounger, chaise lounge, ottoman and sofa. Two unique deep-seating pieces in the collection are a generously proportioned lounge chair and a half, and an ottoman and a half.

Designed by Frederic Doughty, the Ovation line features a stretcher, a piece of frame supporting the back of the chair.