With the High Point Market just around the corner, Keshava Malik, Principal and Co-Founder of Danao Living, is among the excited group of exhibitors anticipating the opportunities the market will bring. He shares with us his hopes and aspirations for the company which he co-founded with Larry Serge, as Danao is gearing up to showcase its hospitality designs to the residential market. Kesheva and his team will be bringing designs previously only available to luxury resorts, allowing residential designers to be able to create similar environments for their clients' homes.
The Morellino Collection.
Can you tell us more about the history of Danao and how it was founded?
'After spending significant time in Asia, Larry Serge and I, wanted to bring the culture of embracing outdoor living to the United States and Europe. Our mission is to allow everyone to create that elegance and quality of life outdoors. Headquartered in historic Hickory, North Carolina, Danao brings together the best in international design and manufacturing. Danao's artisans in Indonesia bring deep experience in furniture manufacturing and easy access to the highest quality materials. The extra deep and comfortable cushions are fabricated in North Carolina with the company's exclusive outdoor fabrics, enabling its quick ship program. The top international design talent roster includes Mario Ruiz, Marmol Radziner, Claudio Bellini, Monica Armani, Daniel Pouzet, Toan Nguyen, Ann Vering, Valerio Sommella and Simone Bonanni.'
In what markets is the brand most active?
'Danao's outdoor furniture can be found in Four Seasons, Aman, SLS, Baha Mar, Pendry, Mandarin Oriental, and Rosewood properties, among other beautiful hotels and resorts. Popular with Hospitality because of European contemporary classic design, meticulous manufacturing and superlative service, Danao is now bringing that style and durability to residential design.'
How is the market right now?
'Excellent. We are grateful for the relationships and loyalty we have developed over the past 20 years. We are actively growing and expanding and we are excited to forge relationships with talented residential designers.'
The Mercer sectional sofa system.
You'll soon be at High Point Market. What are your expectations for the fair?
'Bringing designs previously only available to luxury resorts, we are excited for residential designers to be able to create similar environments for their clients' homes. We are delighted to be showing in Interhall with other excellent companies, and look forward to working closely with designers. Our design and ethos should be a refreshing new perspective to seasoned High Point visitors.'
What will you be showing there?
'New collections of outdoor furniture representing the best in European design and the highest quality manufacturing, available for quick ship from North Carolina. New collections include:
Morellino, designed by Milan-based designer Toan Nguyen. Influenced by Mid-century design, the combination of natural rugged fibre and soft teak lines creates a captivating and sensual collection. The collection includes chaises, lounge chairs, sofas, and dining sets in teak and natural stone.
The Mercer sectional sofa system is a study in contrasts. The spare, clean structure is complemented by deeply comfortable and fluffy cushions. The base platform adds a sense of visual lightness and enhances the overall design which is somehow both minimalist and cosy. Mercer is a perfect centrepiece for contemporary living spaces, designed by Danao Studio.
The Dock Collection is designed by renowned Milanese architect and designer Claudio Bellini who is driven by the harmony of beauty and efficiency. Distinctive woven panels set within a robust wooden frame create a bold juxtaposition adding both warmth and sophistication to outdoor living. The collection includes sofas, a pool chaise, dining, lounge and side chairs.'
The Dock Collection.
What are the future plans for the company?
'We love what we do and believe passionately in living as much of life as possible outdoors. We will continue to grow our distribution and make Danao available at various markets.
We want to keep improving to make outdoor living more inviting and even better than before. We never stop evolving and constantly push to improve – that's just how we work. Via our furniture and cushion construction, fabric collection, and variety of design, we continue to improve and upscale the brand. We also are expanding our network of incredible product designers.
We are working on new collections for next season with new design approaches that are consistent with our brand values of clean lines and luxury. We are excited for what's on the horizon.'
More information:
Danao Living
[email protected]
www.danaoliving.com
US