Essentials For Living emerged from the merger of Star International Furniture and Orient Express Furniture, combining over 47 years of contemporary and transitional design expertise. Headquartered in Orange County, California, the brand operates bi-coastal distribution centers in Southern California and High Point, North Carolina, ensuring rapid delivery throughout the United States.

The design philosophy draws inspiration from Southern California living, often described as California Coastal or California Transitional. Collections feature relaxed sophistication with clean lines, calming neutral palettes, and materials suited for indoor-outdoor living. From woven rope dining chairs and LiveSmart performance upholstery to gray teak outdoor seating and natural stone accent tables, each piece reflects meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Loom Dining Chair Collection

The signature Loom dining chair features an intricate rope weave design constructed on a reinforced dual aluminum frame with solid mahogany legs in natural gray or light honey oak finishes. Polyolefin rope in sand, taupe and white, platinum, or dove colorways creates the distinctive handcrafted pattern. Fixed seat cushions upholstered in performance pumice or light gray fabric provide lasting comfort.

Counter and Bar Stools

The Montecito counter stool combines white speckle round rope weaving with LiveSmart Peyton-Pearl upholstery on a natural gray mahogany frame. The Adamo counter stool features French gray Cabana Loom construction with performance fabric seating. The Mesh outdoor counter stool pairs taupe and white flat rope with gray teak legs and performance pumice cushions for covered patios and outdoor kitchens.

Construction Details

KD (knock-down) construction allows flat-pack shipping with simple assembly. Seat heights measure 19.5 inches for dining chairs and 26 inches for counter stools. Weight limits reach 250 pounds. Materials include solid mahogany wood, aluminum frames, polyolefin and polypropylene rope, 100% olefin fabric, and high-density foam cushioning.

Performance Fabric Seating

The Chateau arm dining chair features Performance Bisque French Linen upholstery on a natural gray ash frame. The Duet head dining chair combines LiveSmart Peyton-Pearl with Performance Bisque French Linen in a two-tone design with contrast piping. The Colleen dining chair offers LiveSmart Walden-Stone or Performance Bisque French Linen options for versatile styling.

Slipcover Dining Chairs

The Colette slipcover dining chair provides easy-care elegance in Performance Bisque French Linen or LiveSmart Peyton-Pearl fabrics. Removable slipcovers allow machine washing for households with children and pets. The Martin dining chair pairs LiveSmart Peyton-Pearl with natural gray or light honey oak frames for transitional dining rooms.

Specialty Seating

The Lucia arm dining chair features white rattan weaving with light gray cushions on a natural gray mahogany frame. The Dexter dining chair offers stone linen upholstery with natural gray wood construction for understated coastal appeal.

Stain and Moisture Protection

LiveSmart by Culp represents premium performance fabric technology used throughout the Essentials For Living collection. Low-denier performance yarns encapsulated with stain and moisture repellent finishes cause spills to bead on the surface rather than penetrating cushions. The fabric contains no harmful chemicals, making it safe for households with children and pets.

Available Colorways

LiveSmart options include Peyton-Pearl, Walden-Stone, Gellar-Linen, Boucle-Snow, and Shapiro-Sand. Coordinating velvet options feature caramel, denim, and petal tones with jute or whiskey brown piping details. Performance French Linen in bisque provides natural texture with enhanced durability.

Care and Maintenance

Spills wipe clean with a paper towel or damp cloth. The breathable finish allows air circulation while repelling liquids. Fabrics maintain softness and appearance through years of daily use, making LiveSmart ideal for high-traffic living rooms, family dining areas, and busy households.

Outdoor Seating

The Loom outdoor chaise lounge features taupe and white flat rope weaving with performance pumice cushions on a gray teak frame. The Costa outdoor club chair pairs dove flat rope with performance dove fabric and gray teak construction. The Mesh outdoor counter stool combines weather-resistant rope with solid teak legs for poolside and patio dining.

Materials and Durability

Outdoor pieces utilize Sunproof brand fabrics by Ateja in solution-dyed olefin or acrylic fibers. Color is dyed through the material for UV resistance, colorfastness, and weather protection. Fabrics pass international standards for light exposure, water repellency, soil resistance, antibacterial properties, and anti-mildew performance. Gray teak frames weather naturally to silvery patina or maintain original finish with annual treatment.

Outdoor Accessories

The Loom outdoor footstool in platinum rope and performance smoke gray complements lounge seating. Outdoor slipcover sofas like the Thea and Colin feature removable covers in LiveSmart Allerton-Twine or Harborside Ivory for easy seasonal cleaning.

Accent Seating

The Otto swivel club chair features cream crepe upholstery with 360-degree rotation for conversational living rooms. The Leone recliner chair offers LiveSmart Gellar-Linen with smooth reclining action for relaxation. The Dean California Casual ottoman in LiveSmart Boucle-Snow with natural gray oak legs serves as footrest or additional seating.

Console and Accent Tables

The Holland 2-drawer console table combines matte white finish with natural rattan drawer fronts for entryways and living rooms. The Tack accent table features slate gray concrete construction for modern and industrial interiors. Both pieces reflect the brand's blend of natural materials with contemporary silhouettes.

Decorative Pillows

The Essential pillow collection includes basic 22-inch squares, 20-inch lumbar pillows, and 12-inch sphere pillows in LiveSmart Gellar-Linen, Walden-Stone, and Boucle-Snow. The Not So Basic series adds caramel velvet, denim velvet, and petal velvet with jute flat piping or contrast trim details. The Knox accent cube in LiveSmart Walden-Stone provides versatile floor seating or decorative accent.

California Coastal

Woven rope dining chairs, gray teak outdoor furniture, and sand-toned performance fabrics create relaxed beachside interiors. Pair Loom chairs with natural oak dining tables, linen slipcover sofas, and concrete accent tables for layered coastal texture.

Transitional Interiors

LiveSmart upholstered dining chairs in Peyton-Pearl and Walden-Stone bridge traditional and contemporary aesthetics. Natural gray mahogany and ash frames coordinate with existing wood tones while neutral fabrics complement varied color palettes.

Modern Scandinavian

Clean-lined silhouettes, light wood finishes, and monochromatic upholstery suit minimalist Nordic-inspired spaces. The brand's use of natural materials and functional design aligns with Scandinavian principles of simple, purposeful furniture.

Indoor-Outdoor Living

Performance fabrics and weather-resistant materials allow seamless transitions between interior living rooms and covered outdoor spaces. Coordinating indoor and outdoor collections maintain design continuity across California-style open floor plans.

Where is Essentials For Living furniture made?

Essentials For Living partners with skilled artisan factories worldwide while maintaining headquarters and distribution in Orange County, California. A second distribution center in High Point, North Carolina enables rapid shipping throughout the continental United States. The brand evolved from Star International Furniture (founded 1977) and Orient Express Furniture (founded 2002), combining over four decades of furniture manufacturing expertise.

What is LiveSmart fabric?

LiveSmart by Culp is a high-performance indoor upholstery fabric engineered for stain and moisture resistance. Low-denier performance yarns encapsulated with protective finishes cause liquids to bead on the surface rather than absorbing into cushions. The fabric contains no harmful chemicals, remains breathable and soft to touch, and cleans easily with a damp cloth. LiveSmart is ideal for households with children, pets, and active daily use.

Are Essentials For Living outdoor pieces weather resistant?

Outdoor collections utilize Sunproof brand fabrics in solution-dyed olefin or acrylic with UV resistance, water repellency, antibacterial properties, and anti-mildew protection. Gray teak frames naturally weather to silvery tones or maintain original color with annual sealing. Polyolefin rope resists fading, stretching, and moisture damage for years of outdoor use in covered patios, porches, and poolside areas.

What makes the Loom dining chair unique?

The Loom dining chair features intricate rope weave construction on a reinforced dual aluminum frame system for superior strength without excessive weight. Solid mahogany legs in natural gray finish provide stability and coastal elegance. Fixed performance fabric cushions offer lasting comfort while KD construction allows flat-pack shipping with simple at-home assembly. Available in multiple rope colorways including sand, platinum, taupe and white, and dove.

How do I clean performance fabric furniture?

Blot spills immediately with a clean paper towel or dry cloth. For dried stains, dampen a cloth with water and mild soap, gently blot the affected area, then wipe with a clean damp cloth to remove soap residue. Allow fabric to air dry completely. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing which may spread stains or damage fiber finish. Most everyday spills wipe clean without lasting marks when addressed promptly.

Does Essentials For Living offer outdoor slipcover sofas?

Yes, outdoor slipcover options include the Thea 90-inch sofa in LiveSmart Allerton-Twine and the Colin 94-inch sofa in Harborside Ivory. Removable slipcovers allow machine washing or professional cleaning between seasons. Air fiber polymer core cushions wrapped in Dacron fiber provide weather-resistant comfort while reversible cushions extend usable life.