WeatherMaster turns 20
By Cinde W. Ingram -- Furniture Today, October 17, 2009
Laneventure is marking the 20th anniversary of WeatherMaster, which created drainable cushions and developed finishing techniques that pushed wicker furniture further outdoors. The combination helped build the momentum of outdoor living rooms and the popularity of deep seating collections.
When WeatherMaster cushions were introduced in 1989, the outdoor furniture industry was dominated by sales of slings and straps, Laneventure President Gary McCray recalled. “It was the first, and still is the only, drainable cushion,” he said.
Since then, Laneventure pioneered advances in the use of materials, finishes and fabrics to support its dealers. Although designed for outdoor spaces, WeatherMaster blurred the lines between indoor and outdoor home furnishings from its start.
First appearing on its Four Seasons Collection and other natural wicker groups still in WeatherMaster's offerings, its Ultimate Outdoor Cushion drew attention to functional outdoor comfort. A five-step latex finish on the wicker frame provided an increased amount of protection from outdoor elements. Fabric selections were limited for outdoor cushions in those earlier days, but fabric suppliers quickly began recognizing the opportunity and developing their own innovations in the mid-1990s.
In 1994, Laneventure acquired the marketing rights for WeatherCraft synthetic wicker and rolled that into its WeatherMaster line.
Through the years, the Conover, N.C.-based manufacturer has continued to tweak construction of its drainable cushion with the intent of providing cushions that are durable, easy to clean, weather-resistant and comfortable.
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