Tribù is a third-generation, 100% family-run company. Koen De Cock is the CEO at Tribù. Together with his brother Tom, they run the day-to-day business which their father Lode founded in the early 1990s.
Their grandfather had started an outdoor furniture business before that, but when my Lode took over, he wanted to do something new. His vision was to design and make contemporary outdoor furniture that looked and felt like the most beautiful interior furniture. Bringing interior style outdoors was no easy feat, it meant that the outdoor settings had to be both rain and sun-resistant. Tribù’s success comes from combining design innovation with high-performance technical fabrics and materials, which is how their slogan The Art of Leisure was born.
The Tribù family loves any excuse to get together so Koen’s daughter Bo’s birthday was just the occasion for a long, leisurely lunch. Beautifully designed outdoor furniture is their business, but it is also their passion. Having everyone together gives Koen and his wife Christine the chance to enjoy some of their favourite Tribù pieces at home in their garden.
They live in Leuven in a notary house that we restored. Outside there is a magnificent hidden garden – a luscious green oasis right in the heart of the city. For Bo’s party, they were joined by 20 of their family and friends, so the fabulous seven-metre Vis à Vis Table was a perfect choice. For a smart contrast to the natural teak slats, they decided on the Contour Armchairs in Wengé with warm coral-coloured cushions.
Entertaining in the garden gives you the chance to create a beautiful outdoor setting with just the right furniture and mood lighting. When everyone is comfortable and relaxed, lunch gatherings often drift into lantern-lit evenings where conversations carry on happily. A group of comfy Nomad ottomans and teak lanterns nearby creates an intimate seating area for later.
The oldest gingko tree in Belgium grows in this garden. Its ancient branches are ideal for suspending Monsieur Tricot outdoor lighting. Adding these ambient details to your outdoor entertaining area creates a touch of magic. The delicately knitted lamps make soft patterns of light that sway gently with the leaves on the trees.
Living the good life outside is at the heart of what Tribù means to the De Cock family. This is why they continue to design, innovate and inspire in the world of outdoor furniture.