Why Universal Furniture Is the Best-Kept Trade Secret
3 min read
For a designer, sourcing furniture is, in a word, challenging. It’s a task that can send a seasoned pro on a journey across all corners of the globe, in and out of multiple showrooms, and to dozens of venders in search of the perfect piece for a client. But that’s where Universal Furniture brings the hunt to one virtual space. Whether you’re working for a large firm or as an independent designer, their To The Trade program offers easy access to endless high-style, high-quality options for every room and function, a system to keep inventory in order, and the ability to furnish an entire home with simply the touch of a keypad.
Universal Furniture’s To The Trade program offers exclusive access to inspired collections like the new Love.Joy.Bliss line from Miranda Kerr Home.
“The program allows me to save time,” says designer Sita Montgomery, of Sita Montgomery Interiors. “Since I have such great confidence in the look and quality of Universal’s products, I’m able to use them as a trusted source for my designs,” she says. Thanks to Universal’s vast offerings, Montgomery can choose products for multiple projects, “while still ensuring that each one has a look, feel, and style that’s unique.”
Universal’s sophisticated Modern Collection, just one of many lines designers can order, showcases streamlined silhouettes with a dash of daring.
Benefits of the program include online ordering, no minimum amount per order, and free shipping within two weeks. “Because interior design work makes up only a part of my company, my clientele volume is lower than a full-time firm so the no-minimum order is a key benefit for me,” says designer and blogger Kyla Herbes of House of Hipsters. “There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a chair only to find out there’s no way you can meet the minimum.”
The iStore, a virtual platform for shopping and project management, is the hub where all the action happens. Designers can log in and check pricing and stock information and keep track of orders easily. “By putting all of the tools and information that I need in one place, the iStore helps me manage everything and stay on top of my projects—from viewing past orders and checking stock availability to ordering collateral,” says Sallie Finney Kjos of Grey Hunt Interiors. “Having all of these functions in one place simplifies my whole workflow and keeps me productive,” she says.
Universal’s Coastal Living Collection brings the feel of a seaside retreat home with casual, cozy pieces and materials like wood and rattan that evoke a breezy feel.
With their many heritage lines and limited-edition collections created with top designers, celebrities, and décor publications, Universal stays on the pulse of emerging trends with new introductions every season. “Their designers are clued into industry trends and are continually creating pieces that help designers like myself keep my looks current,” Montgomery says.
Love.Joy.Bliss by Miranda Kerr Home features plush pieces, gilded finishes, geometric shapes, and soft tones.
The latest addition to Universal’s inspiring lineup, which includes favorite collections like Modern, Nina Magon, and Coastal Living, is Love.Joy.Bliss by global style icon, Miranda Kerr. Inspired by her world travels and career in fashion, the nearly 50-piece collection – created for living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, and office – captures Kerr’s ideals of tranquility, authenticity, and beauty into timeless yet practical home furnishings. And designers are excited about it.
“I love the thread of femininity she has woven across her collection,” Montgomery says. “The pieces look modern, yet still classic and edgy with a softness to them. The entire collection exudes a feeling of comfortable elegance, which speaks directly to my own aesthetic.”
To learn more about Universal Furniture’s To The Trade program or to receive 20% off your first order of $2000 or more, visit universalfurniture.com/AD and use the code AD2000.
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
