HIGH POINT— Universal Furniture is introducing two new collections at this week’s High Point Market: Modern Mist & Veil, an expansion of the company’s Modern line, and Birchaven, a transitional collection that emphasizes craftsmanship and practicality.
Both collections include bedroom, dining and occasional pieces, as well as complementary upholstery made in North Carolina.
Modern Mist & Veil: Refined materials and simple forms
Nearly 10 years after Universal entered the modern design category, its Modern series continues to evolve. The latest installment, Modern Mist & Veil, features clean silhouettes, natural materials and finishes designed to highlight texture and tone.
Two oak finishes — Mist, a light tone, and Veil, a darker variant — form the base of the collection, while Haze, a figured walnut accent, introduces subtle contrast. Materials such as white quartz, pyrite, Emperador stone and smoked gold metal appear throughout, along with cast aluminum and leather detailing.
Since its introduction in 2016, the Modern line has aimed to deliver contemporary design with practical applications and accessible pricing.
Key pieces include:
- Mirage Bed: Headboard, footboard and rails finished with slabs of Emperador marble trimmed in cast aluminum with a sandblasted wood texture. Available in king size.
- Strata Bed: Upholstered in off-white fabric with channel detailing and matching footboard. Available in king and queen sizes.
- Haze Swivel Counter Stool: Upholstered seat with walnut-wrapped back and metal footrest; back legs splayed for stability.
- Haze Console: Figured walnut construction with a T-shaped form and smoked gold metal accent between top and base.
- Blossom Credenza: Four touch-latch doors covered in more than 5,000 hand-shaped leather fleurettes. Offered in light and dark oak finishes.
- Nova Credenza: 96-inch oak case with four smoked gold metal doors etched in a gradient pattern, magnetic touch latches and internal power bar.
- Haze Dining Table: 86-inch walnut tabletop with angled metal legs. Includes two leaves extending the table to 122 inches.
Modern Upholstery introduces 15 new designs, many of which are bench-made at Universal’s North Carolina facility. The company offers customization through more than 500 fabrics, 100 leathers or COM, viewable via its online 360-degree draping tool.
Highlights include:
- Dylan Sofa: 96 inches long with rounded arms and back rail; paired with a coordinating swivel chair.
- Deke Swivel Chair: Fully upholstered barrel-back swivel chair with self-welt detailing.
- Lucca Occasional Chair: Wooden frame with upholstered seat and back, suitable for living or office use. Available in linen-like or boucle fabrics.
- Hyde Motion Sofa: Now offered in Italian performance leather.
Birchaven: Transitional design with layered materials
Universal’s second introduction, Birchaven, centers on light wood tones, clean profiles and adaptable style. The collection combines classic forms with contemporary proportions, designed to work across different interior settings.
“Birchaven is designed to feel livable and timeless,” said Sean O’Connor, president of Universal Furniture. “Its range of finishes and materials allows for flexible use in a variety of homes.”
Built primarily from birch wood, known for its fine grain and durability, Birchaven features two finishes: Willow and Brindle. Both emphasize clarity of tone and even coloration.
Tactile elements such as twisted abaca, white quartz, and textured wallpaper finishes appear throughout, with aged pewter metal used for hardware and accents.
The 77-piece collection includes bedroom, dining and occasional furniture, as well as coordinating silhouettes for easy mixing within a space.
Key pieces include:
- Pedestal Table: 44-inch round table with a narrow neck and reeded base.
- Brindle Dresser: Six-drawer dresser with beaded trim, black felt-lined jewelry tray and tapered legs.
- Woven Abaca Bed: Headboard, footboard and rails wrapped in multi-strand abaca weave. Available in king size.
- Meadow Cocktail Table: Rectangular table with tapered legs and wallpaper-textured finish.
- Meadow Display Cabinet: 80 inches tall with wallpaper-textured finish and aged pewter hardware.
Birchaven Upholstery is produced in Universal’s North Carolina workshops, with additional capacity planned at a new Hildebran, N.C., facility expected to open in early 2026. The new location will consolidate operations and improve production flow.
Customers can select from the same range of fabrics and leathers used in the Modern line, with the option to preview combinations online.
Highlights include:
- Filmore Sofa and Suite: Slope-arm design with down feather seats and backs. Available in multiple configurations and as a slipcovered or fully upholstered piece.
- Stella Accent Chair: Tailored silhouette on birch legs, offered in a jacquard fabric with a floral pattern.
