With a passion for the icons of Brazilian design and a special love of sleek, mid-century-inspired curves, Uultis is an eye-catching brand on the move. Their furniture and decor lines are created by some of the best designers in Brazil using rich, high-quality woods that give the feeling of bringing the outdoors in (and their outdoor pieces bring color and quirkiness to a category that can often use a jolt of both). Best of all, they manage all their work with an eye toward sustainability and positive social practices, having been awarded an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification.
We spoke with Rodrigo Seger, vice president of Uultis, about the brand’s evolution, the pieces they’re most excited about, and where they see things developing next. Read what he had to say below, and shop the full curation of excellent Uultis offerings right here on Chairish.
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Tell us a bit about how you launched Uultis. What are the inspirations behind the brand, and how did it come to life?
Uultis was born from the desire to offer the world a premium line of products where the craftsmanship of wood and design are the protagonist. We’re a genuine Brazilian brand that brings back the talent of our artisans, connected with sustainability and technology.
There’s been such a mid-century modern craze for the past several years. Do those classic styles influence the pieces you produce?
We work with different designers, each drawing inspiration from different places and trends. Overall, our brand spotlights nature’s raw shapes, so we have several items, like the Suma and Dolomitas dining tables, which are birthed from the Sumauma tree and the Dolomites Mountains in Italy. We are interested in deciphering and interpreting what makes sense in our homes, and what, in fact, makes a space refined and beautiful.
Who are some of your favorite makers or designers, in terms of your own inspirations?
I have great admiration for the designer Aciole Felix, whose partnership has been of great importance for us. His pieces are extremely elegant and have a unique identity. Additionally, some of our pieces are inspired by the works of renowned architects, like Zaha Hadid and Ruy Ohtake. Their works become much more than simple buildings—they become sculptures in the cities they inhabit. That is what we aspire to do at Uultis: offer pieces that are functional but at the same time visually impactful; a work of art.
Let’s talk a bit about sustainability, since that’s such an important tenet of the brand. How does that come to play in Uultis?
Sustainability is present throughout our entire process chain, from the selection of raw materials to product creation, production, and waste management. We produce well-crafted pieces with certified wood. We also ensure that the entire production process takes place within our established norms and standards.
What are some things you encourage people to do in order to be more sustainable, with furniture in particular?
I would like to point out the importance of buying quality products, with certified raw materials, specialized workmanship, and timeless design. Products with these qualities are meant to last a long time, which reduces wastefulness. Our slogan states that details are more important than excesses and we choose the serenity to do things well, instead of hurrying to produce more. Those words represent the importance of thinking about each piece, so nothing gets thrown out.
How does Brazil itself figure into your work? Does being based there have a particular impact on the types of pieces you produce and the way you do things?
Definitely! Brazil is one of our biggest inspirations. Our company has over 60 years of experience in the furniture industry. To bring my family’s purpose and legacy to the United States is, without a doubt, something that pushed me to go further and do better. I also think that drawing inspiration from our Brazilian roots makes our pieces more authentic and not something everyone else could make.
What types of pieces do you see moving these days? What are the patterns in terms of what’s selling right now?
We have observed that, in general, sales are concentrated on pieces that have a true design element to them, while maintaining comfort and utility.
Thinking about your own personal style, what’s a piece you’d love to own yourself?
There are many, but if I had to choose only one, I would have to say the Olga chair. Olga is the definition of Uultis: modern traits and beautiful design. It’s a piece that has wood and upholstery, where sharp and soft edges come together beautifully to create a contemporary home staple.
Do you see any upcoming trends in terms of what’s next for the design world? What types of pieces do you hope to produce next? Anything you can tease for us?
We are venturing into products with noble and natural elements, working with new materials for us, like rope, granite, and natural rocks. We strongly believe in the concept of biophilia, or love of life and living things, and this is shown in our pieces, where nature is integrated into the space.
Are there any styles or trends you’d like to see disappear in the design world right now?
There aren’t any. In reality, I believe that the beauty of the design is the plurality and diversity of styles that come together to make projects different and unique. Though, if I had to mention something, maybe “fast furniture” as well as designs that are not functional and are only created as showpieces.
All images courtesy of Uultis