Skyline Design has long been a staple in the exterior design industry.
As a Spanish luxury outdoor furniture brand that designs, manufactures and distributes around the world, Skyline is mainly recognized for its extravagant daybeds — which have been chosen to furnish many hotels and resorts of the main hotel chains of the globe such as Palladium, Hyatt, Sheraton, Hilton and Marriot, among others.
These signature daybeds have helped the company reach the floors of specialty retailers and brick-and-mortar stores that aren’t your traditional, seating, dining and chaise lounge categories.
Allen Calzadilla, chief executive officer of Skyline’s parent company Pelican Reef, spoke to Casual News Now about the current state of the outdoor design industry, what Skyline is up to, and what we can expect in the near future.
Casual News Now: What’s changed on the design side of outdoor over the last two years?
Allen Calzadilla: Time. There’s been a delay or lapse in new introductions during the pandemic and in our ability to host our monthlong photo shoot and catalog creation experiences.
CNN: How was the design side of the industry affected by Covid?
AC: There’s been a staleness to innovation and creation on the side of design in the outdoor furniture industry; most brands have been slow with their new product introductions just as we have. Our line, like Baja and Alta, have been received very well.
We are also excited to bring an assortment of “wow” deep seating collections and daybeds to the North American market for the 2023 season and beyond, including:
- The Boston Collection, which offers clean lines and graceful curves, is crafted with vertical all-weather cord that creates a dramatic interplay of light and shadow. The airy frame is grounded by a base of enduring extruded aluminum framing.
- The Calyxto mixes contrasting materials for a rustic and natural take on outdoor furniture. A gracefully curving back and down-swept arms distinguish our seating, crafted with a vertical all-weather cord that creates a dramatic interplay of light and shadow. The airy frame is grounded by a seat frame of extruded aluminum.
- The Faber egg-styled daybed filters out bright sun while the open weave accommodates gentle breezes. It becomes a multipillow retreat for two, fashioned from all-weather thick N-profile woven wicker.
CNN: How will the luxury outdoor industry fare in the possible upcoming recession?
AC: Luckily for our business, we tend to sell more during a recession. Our designer business tends to grow and find a way to gain product placement with some of the best clients wanting something “different” for their backyards, may it be for their main home, second residence or anywhere else.
CNN: Can you tell us anything about your sales numbers or estimates for the future?
AC: Our sales numbers are rebounding thanks to the arrival of backordered and preordered goods for clients. The supply crisis didn’t help with the extended lead time, heavy freight costs and slowed logistical effects.
CNN: What’s on tap for the future?
AC: We announced a co-branded showroom in High Point during this past market — “The Patio,” located at 411 Manning St. and large enough to show a strong assortment of the brand, both inside the showroom and even outside on the patio area.
Our parent company for the North American Market, Pelican Reef Inc., has been able to display its four brands of outdoor furniture all under one roof in High Point, and hopefully, something similar will happen for the July 2023 Atlanta Market. Since all the brands shown don’t conflict with each other, it’s been a positive way to meet new accounts, and share a good, better, best story related to outdoor furniture all from one official source.
