Great design is not just about form—it is about the materials that bring it to life. The way they evolve, the way they interact with their environment, the way they feel beneath your fingertips. Vaterra was not built on fleeting trends, but on a deep respect for materiality. Every wood grain, every woven strand, every finish tells a story of craftsmanship, innovation, and longevity.
In this exploration, we take a closer look at the materials that define Vaterra’s unmistakable aesthetic—from the timeless patina of teak to the performance-driven artistry of Viro® Twisted Hyacinth Euro Ash synthetic rattan weave (HDPE), the QuickDry cushion cores, Agora fabrics, andDekton surface upgrades. These are the foundations of boundary-free living, engineered for both residential and commercial applications and rigorously tested to meet the highest performance standards.
Teak – A Legacy Written in Patina
Not all woods are created equal. Some fade. Some degrade. Some require endless upkeep. And then there is teak—a material with a lineage of resilience, an elegance that only deepens over time.
*The Beauty of Natural Aging – When left outdoors, teak undergoes a transformation, shifting from warm honeyed tones to a soft, silvery patina. Unlike other woods that suffer under the elements, teak embraces them—aging not into decay, but into distinction.
* Why Teak Patinas – This process occurs due to oxidation—when teak’s natural oils react with oxygen and UV exposure, gradually transforming the wood from golden brown to soft silver-gray. The presence of moisture accelerates this effect, making it more pronounced in humid environments.
* How to Slow the Patina Process – For those who prefer teak’s original golden tone, applying a UV-protectant teak sealer will slow oxidation. Regular cleaning with mild soap and water prevents dirt buildup, which can contribute to discoloration.
* Unrivaled Durability – Rich in natural oils and silica, teak is inherently resistant to rot, moisture, and pests, making it one of the most sought-after materials for luxury outdoor furniture.
*Sustainably Sourced & Legally Certified – Vaterra’s teak is sourced from Indonesian plantations regulated under the SVLK (Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu) certification system, ensuring full legality, sustainable harvesting practices, and ethical supply chain transparency. This certification guarantees that all teak used in Vaterra’s collections meets stringent environmental and governmental standards.
*BIFMA-Certified Strength – Vaterra’s teak frames are engineered to meet BIFMA performance standards, ensuring their strength, stability, and suitability for commercial-grade applications.
Note: BIFMA, the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association, is a nonprofit that sets voluntary standards to ensure commercial furniture is both safe and forward-thinking. Since 1973, it has partnered with designers, manufacturers, and industry leaders to elevate quality and performance across the workplace.
Operating under ANSI, BIFMA helps shape the future of American design through certifications like LEVEL®, which assess the environmental, social, and health impact of furnishings—advancing not just how we work, but how we live.
Viro® Synthetic Rattan – Artistry Meets Innovation
Nature is an inspiration—but performance requires evolution. For pieces that weave between indoor and outdoor spaces, Vaterra integrates Viro® Twisted Hyacinth Euro Ash synthetic rattan weave (HDPE), a material that marries craftsmanship with cutting-edge durability.
*Carefully Curated Color Palette – The Euro Ash colorway was meticulously selected to complement both the warm pecan shell finish andthe soft silver-gray of aged teak, ensuring seamless harmony as the wood naturally weathers.
*What is HDPE? – High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is an advanced thermoplastic known for its exceptional strength, UV resistance, and moisture-proof properties. Unlike traditional natural rattan, HDPE does not absorb water, preventing warping, mold, or decay—making it the ultimate material for high-performance outdoor furniture.
*Why Viro® is the Ultimate HDPE – Viro® rattan sets itself apart through a proprietary high-density molecular structure, ensuring it withstands prolonged sun exposure without cracking, peeling, or fading. It is colorfast, recyclable, and free from PVC, reinforcing its position as the premier HDPE synthetic fiber for outdoor applications.
*Handwoven, Never Mass-Produced – Unlike machine-made weaves, Viro® rattan is crafted by skilled artisans, ensuring that each pattern is unique. The result? A texture and complexity that cannot be replicated by automation.
*All-Weather Performance – Impervious to UV rays, moisture, and temperature fluctuations, this material resists cracking, fading, and unraveling—ensuring that Vaterra’s woven designs stand the test of time.
*Commercial-Grade Certification – Extensively tested, Viro® synthetic rattan meets BIFMA commercial-grade standards, guaranteeing its suitability for high-traffic environments.
*Eco-Conscious Craftsmanship – Free from PVC and harmful additives, this material is 100% recyclable, aligning with Vaterra’s commitment to sustainable luxury.
QuickDry Cushion Cores – The Only Foam Engineered for Outdoor Living
Seating is only as comfortable as its foundation. Vaterra’s QuickDry cushion cores redefine outdoor lounging with the most advanced moisture-resistant technology available.
✔ The Science of Hydro-Blast Reticulation – QuickDry foam undergoes a hydro-blast reticulation process, a high-pressure water treatment that creates its open-cell structure, allowing for maximum water drainage and breathability. (Watch QuickDry Hydro-Blast Process)
*Why QuickDry is the Industry Standard – Unlike conventional foam, QuickDry is engineered exclusively for outdoor use, ensuring cushions dry up to 3 times faster than traditional foam after exposure to rain or humidity. (See QuickDry vs. Regular Foam)
*The Difference Between QuickDry and Standard Foam – Regular foam absorbs water, leading to mold, mildew, and bacteria growth. QuickDry’s open-cell structure allows immediate drainage, preventing odor, moisture retention, and foam breakdown over time.
*Why Commercial Designers Only Specify QuickDry – QuickDry meets BIFMA contract-grade specifications, making it the go-to choice for high-end resorts, hospitality spaces, and outdoor lounges where cushions must remain functional year-round.
*Health & Sanitation Benefits for Homeowners – Standard foam cushions create an environment for bacterial growth and allergens. QuickDry eliminates these risks, ensuring a cleaner, healthier seating experience.
*Long-Lasting Comfort & Shape Retention – QuickDry cushions are designed for resilience, maintaining their form and structure for years. In contrast, standard foam degrades and loses support after prolonged moisture exposure.
*Industry-Leading Warranty – Vaterra backs its QuickDry cushions with a world-class 5-year limited manufacturer’s warranty, ensuring unmatched longevity and performance.
*Peace of Mind & Time-Saving Convenience – QuickDry cushions remove the hassle of constant cushion upkeep. No more dragging cushions inside when it rains or worrying about drying times—just effortless comfort.
Agora Fabrics – The Gold Standard in Outdoor Textiles
Fabric is more than just a finishing touch—it is the first point of contact between you and your furniture. It must feel inviting, endure the elements, and maintain its beauty for years to come. Agora fabrics are engineered to do exactly that, offering an unrivaled combination of luxury, hygiene, durability, and sustainability.
Why Vaterra Uses Agora Fabrics Across All Collections
“Luxury isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about how something makes you feel every time you interact with it. At Seasonal Living, we’re not just designing collections; we’re curating experiences. The tactile connection, the seating comfort, the sustainability story—it all has to be consistent across every piece we create. That’s why we exclusively use Agora fabrics and QuickDry cushion cores. When our customers mix and match across our collections, they’re not just buying furniture; they’re investing in a seamless, high-performance lifestyle.”
— Gary Pettitt, CEO of Seasonal Living
*A Cohesive Seating Experience – Vaterra works with the world’s leading designers of cushions and ergonomic support, ensuring that no matter which collection is chosen, the comfort and seating experience remains seamlessly consistent.
*A Unified Tactile Connection – The hand-feel of the fabrics has been carefully selected to remain compelling and luxurious across different frame designs, ensuring that mixing and matching pieces between collections delivers a harmonized user experience.
*Curated Selection of 20 Agora Fabrics – Instead of overwhelming designers with an excessive number of fabric options, SL has intentionally slimmed down the selection to 20 carefully curated fabrics, chosen for their ability to complement a wide range of frame materials, finishes, and styles.
*Sustainability from Frame to Fabric – Vaterra’s sustainability commitment does not stop at responsibly sourced frames—it extends right down to the last UV-resistant thread used in Agora’s textiles. By maintaining a single compelling sustainability story, Vaterra ensures that designers and homeowners never have to compromise on ethics, durability, or performance.
The Fabric Landscape: What Are the Choices?
Outdoor furniture requires performance-driven textiles, but not all materials are created equal. The most common choices in the market are: *Spun Polyester – Often found in budget-friendly outdoor furniture, spun polyester fabrics rely on a surface-level dye application that makes them prone to fading, staining, and mold accumulation over time. These fabrics are typically spot-clean only, making them harder to maintain. *Solution-Dyed Acrylic – Unlike spun polyester, solution-dyed acrylic fabrics—like Agora—are engineered for longevity. Their color pigments are infused throughout the fibers, ensuring superior UV resistance, water repellency, mold resistance, and effortless maintenance.
Why Professional Luxury Designers and Homeowners Choose Agora Over Spun Polyester
*Unmatched Color Fastness & Fade Resistance – Because Agora fabrics are solution-dyed, their rich, natural hues are locked into the fiber structure at a molecular level. This ensures they retain their color even after years of direct sun exposure, unlike spun polyester, which fades due to surface-level dye treatments.
*A Natural-Looking, Linen-Like Finish – Agora fabrics are crafted to replicate the soft, organic feel of natural linen, enhancing the sensory experience of Vaterra’s furniture. Spun polyester fabrics often feel synthetic and stiff, detracting from a true luxury experience.
*Stress-Free Maintenance & Hygiene – Agora fabrics feature removable, zippered cushion covers that can be machine-washed, allowing homeowners to keep their seating pristine with minimal effort. In contrast, spun polyester fabrics require spot-cleaning only, leading to hygiene concerns over time.
*Mold & Mildew Resistance – Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics like Agora are naturally moisture-resistant, preventing the bacterial buildup and odor issues that often plague polyester fabrics.
*The Ultimate in Performance – Agora outperforms all other outdoor textiles in every key category:
- UV Resistance (prevents fading and deterioration over time)
- Strength (high-tensile durability for long-term use)
- Water Repellency (moisture-resistant, quick-drying surface)
- Mold & Stain Resistance (engineered to combat environmental exposure)
- Soft, Comfortable Feel (resembles natural fiber for elevated luxury)
- Bleach Cleanability (can be sanitized without degrading the fabric)
- 5-Year Warranty (assurance of exceptional quality and performance)
Beyond Durability: Agora’s Commitment to Sustainability
Agora fabrics are not only designed to last—they are engineered with sustainability at their core. The brand’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint includes:
✔ Longevity as a Green Solution – Agora fabrics are built to endure, meaning fewer replacements and less waste. By choosing a long-lasting material, homeowners and designers contribute to a more sustainable consumption cycle.
*PFAS-Free Finishes – Agora is leading the charge in developing next-generation, PFAS-free performance coatings, ensuring that its fabrics are biodegradable while maintaining their industry-leading stain and water repellency.
*Green Energy Manufacturing – The company harnesses hydropower and solar energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in its production facilities.
*Water Conservation & Purification – Agora implements a semi-biological active carbon filtration system, ensuring that cleaner water is returned to natural sources after manufacturing.
*Recycling & Circular Economy – The Agora LIFE initiative transforms industrial textile waste into recycled fabrics, delivering the same luxury experience with a reduced carbon footprint.
*Ethical Production Standards – Agora upholds fair labor practices, non-discrimination policies, and continuous skills training for artisans within its textile production network.
Dekton® Upgrades – The Ultimate Surface for Enduring Luxury
At Seasonal Living, materials and surfaces are more than just functional elements—they define how we interact with our spaces, influencing both aesthetics and performance. That’s why we have chosen Dekton®, a best-in-class ultra-compact surface, to elevate the Vaterra collection.
The Power of Integration
Through our partnership with Dekton, we create high-performance surface materials that seamlessly bridge indoor, in-between, and outdoor spaces. This boundary-free approach ensures not only aesthetic harmony but also the durability and ease of maintenance that modern homeowners and designers demand. By offering Dekton as an upgrade to our teak collection, we provide our customers with an opportunity for personalization, material consistency, and elevated design cohesion.
Uncompromising Performance Meets Luxury Design
Every surface plays a role in the way we experience our surroundings—how a dining table feels under our fingertips, how a coffee table stands up to daily use, and how materials age with time. In the world of high-performance surfaces, Dekton stands alone as the pinnacle of strength, durability, and elegance.
By integrating Dekton into Vaterra, we ensure that our designs are not only visually stunning but also engineered for unmatched resilience in both residential and commercial settings. The result is a collection that remains timeless, tactile, and tailored to the modern luxury lifestyle. Dekton stands alone as the pinnacle of strength, durability, and elegance.
What is Dekton?
Dekton is an ultra-compact surface made from a sophisticated blend of porcelain, quartz, and glass, fused under extreme heat and pressure through an exclusive process known as Sinterized Particle Technology. This cutting-edge process replicates themetamorphic changes natural stone undergoes over thousands of years—compressed into just a few hours. The result?A virtually indestructible surface that outperforms natural stone in every way.
Why Dekton is the Ultimate Surface for Designers & Homeowners
*Extreme Durability – Unlike marble and granite, which can stain, scratch, or etch over time, Dekton is engineered to be highly resistant to impact, scratches, and abrasion, making it ideal forhigh-traffic areas, outdoor applications, and luxury design projects.
*Zero Porosity = No Staining – Dekton’s non-porous surface means it will not absorb liquids—ensuring resistance against wine, oil, acids, and coffee spills that would stain or damage other surfaces like marble and granite.
*Unparalleled UV Resistance – One of the few materials that is 100% UV-stable, Dekton will not fade or discolor even under prolonged sun exposure, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
*Thermal Shock Resistance – Unlike quartz and marble, which can crack under extreme temperature changes, Dekton is fireproof and heat-resistant—meaning homeowners can place hot cookware directly on the surface without damage.
*Ultra-Low Maintenance – Unlike natural stone that requires sealing and ongoing care, Dekton is maintenance-free, offering homeowners a worry-free luxury experience.
*Industry-Leading Performance Certifications – Dekton has been rigorously tested and certified for commercial and residential use, meeting global industry standards:
- ANSI (American National Standards Institute) for durability & performance
- ISO 10545 for stain, chemical, and scratch resistance
- ASTM G154 for UV exposure & weathering resistance
- Greenguard & NSF Certification for food safety & sustainability
Why Dekton Fits Perfectly into Seasonal Living’s Design Continuum
Vaterra’s design philosophy embraces boundary-free living, where materials flow seamlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces. Dekton aligns perfectly with this vision because it is: *Versatile Across Environments – Whether used for an elegant indoor dining table, a patio coffee table, or an accent tabletop, Dekton maintains the same luxury aesthetic and performance across all applications. This is especially important for luxury designers and architects who prioritize unified material palettes that transition seamlessly between indoor, in-between, and outdoor spaces. Few materials can offer the same level of interior-grade performance and aesthetic consistency across all environments, providing enormous peace of mind for both designers and homeowners.
*Aesthetic Harmony with Vaterra’s Finishes – The curated selection of three exclusive Dekton stone options pairs seamlessly with Vaterra’s pecan shell stain and teak patina, offering designers and homeowners a cohesive material palette.
*Engineered for Endurance – Just like Vaterra’s teak and woven elements, Dekton is crafted to withstand time, weather, and use without losing its beauty—ensuring that every piece remains as stunning as the day it was installed.
*A Sustainable Choice – Dekton is certified carbon neutral, aligning with Vaterra’s commitment to sustainable, long-lasting luxury.
The Three Exclusive Dekton Stone Finishes for Vaterra
To maintain a harmonized aesthetic with Vaterra’s materiality, Seasonal Living offers three carefully selected Dekton surfaces that blend effortlessly with the warmth of pecan shell stain, aged teak patina, and woven Viro rattan:
*Kelya – Inspired by dark, smoky marble with deep veining, Kelya is a sophisticated dark brown-black tone with subtle white veins, bringing a sense of timeless elegance to both modern and traditional spaces.
*Sabbia – A warm, sandy neutral with the delicate movement of natural limestone, Sabbia complements organic, nature-inspired design aesthetics.
*Lunar – A soft, off-white tone with subtle gray veining, Lunar evokes the beauty of concrete and natural stone, making it ideal for contemporary and minimalist settings.
Each of these Dekton surfaces has been meticulously chosen to ensure timeless elegance and material harmony, allowing homeowners and designers to mix and match pieces while maintaining a cohesive material flow.
Exploring Vaterra’s Materiality
Materials are more than just the foundation of design—they are the essence of an experience. Vaterra is built on a philosophy of timeless craftsmanship, performance-driven innovation, and boundary-free living, ensuring that every element, from teak to Dekton, weaves together into a seamless narrative of luxury. Whether it’s the resilience of QuickDry cushions, the artistry of Viro® synthetic rattan, or the enduring beauty of legally sourced teak, each material tells a story—one of longevity, sustainability, and intentional design. In Vaterra, materiality is not just about what you see or feel; it’s about how it enhances the way you live.
Next in Our Series: The Art of Vaterra’s Handcrafted Details
Luxury is not just about materials—it is about the artistry behind them. In our next blog, we explore the craftsmanship that transforms Vaterra’s designs into living works of art. From expertly handwoven Viro® synthetic rattan to the precisely engineered kerf-cut textures in our teak finishes, every detail is meticulously crafted to elevate both form and function. Join us as we take an intimate look at the techniques, traditions, and human touch that make Vaterra a true testament to artisanal excellence.
UNTIL NEXT TIME…
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