In 1987, iconic Belgian brand Tribu went though some changes: they appointed a new head of the company. It was now the founder's son, Lode. His ambitious vision and eye for detail lead him to rethink traditional outdoor furniture. Lode's ethos of ‘less is more' was bought to the company’s designs in the mid-1990s, when outdoor furniture tended to be heavy and unimaginative.
He decided to take a new approach, wanting outdoor furniture to be more elegant while maintaining a high level of comfort and The Pure collection is a perfect example of this. “With our Pure collection, we brought the same sense of elegance, sophistication, and comfort that consumers were used to in interior settings,” says Lode.
However, functionality was still lacking in most outdoor furniture - a lounger was simply a bed – whereas Lode recognised that a piece such as a traditional meridienne could be both. This idea inspired Lode so he decided to work with sofa designer Andrei Munteanu to launch the Pure meridienne, which combined simplicity and elegance with modularity.
“The search for timeless minimalism and a sense of visual serenity were central to the design: the whole design had to breathe purity.” Says Lode. With this, Munteanu designed an open teak armrest that runs behind deep backrest cushions, the legs are set in from the edge of the teak base so the seat appears to float.
Pure’s casual cushions create an informal, relaxed look, soft and deep enough to sink into. For a contrasting look and feel, Miami cushions add a tailored, contemporary touch, and a more defined profile. Both cushions can be personalised with an extensive choice of outdoor fabrics in subtle colours and weaves.
In no other Tribù collection is Lode's contribution as evident as it is with Pure. Pure’s evergreen appeal lies in its simple approach to beauty, comfort, and quality, which is why the 20-year-old prototype meridienne is still a centrepiece in Lode’s garden.
Discover the Pure sofa and more teak outdoor furniture from Tribu, exclusively available through Cosh Living.