Handwoven Teak and Cord Outdoor Seating Debuts from Masaya and Abril Zepeda

Masaya, a furniture brand rooted in Nicaraguan craftsmanship, has expanded its outdoor collection with two new seating pieces designed by Abril Zepeda. The Arenal Outdoor Rocking Chair and the Masaya Outdoor Lounge Chair are both handcrafted in Nicaragua from FSC-certified solid teak and woven cord, blending traditional making techniques with contemporary outdoor living needs.

The pieces are intended for exterior use, where the natural resistance of teak and the durability of woven cord meet the functional demands of patios, terraces and gardens. Each chair is built by hand, reflecting the brand’s commitment to preserving local craft heritage while producing furniture that meets modern performance standards.

Design and material choices

The Arenal Outdoor Rocking Chair takes its name from the active Arenal Volcano in northwestern Costa Rica, a reference that ties the piece to the region’s landscape. Its gently curved rockers and open backrest are made from solid teak, while the seat and back are finished with handwoven cord in a natural tone. The Masaya Outdoor Lounge Chair offers a lower, more relaxed profile, with a wide cord-woven seat and a gently angled teak frame.

Both chairs use FSC-certified teak, ensuring the wood is sourced from responsibly managed forests. Teak is naturally resistant to moisture, insects and decay, making it a preferred material for outdoor furniture that must withstand changing weather. The woven cord adds breathability and visual lightness, while the solid frames provide stability.

Craft and production

Masaya operates its own workshops in Nicaragua, where artisans cut, assemble and finish each piece by hand. The brand emphasizes direct employment of local craftspeople and the use of regionally available materials. The woven cord technique used on the new chairs is a continuation of traditional Nicaraguan handcraft methods, adapted here for contemporary furniture forms.

The production process involves multiple stages: teak is selected, cut and shaped; frames are assembled with joinery that avoids heavy reliance on metal fasteners; cord is handwoven onto the frames in a pattern that balances tension and comfort. The result is furniture that carries visible evidence of handwork — slight variations in weave and finish that distinguish each piece from machine-made equivalents.

Functionality for outdoor use

Both chairs are designed to remain outdoors year-round in temperate and tropical climates. Teak’s natural oils help repel water and resist fungal growth, while the cord is selected for UV resistance and weather tolerance. The brand recommends occasional cleaning with mild soap and water to maintain appearance, but the materials are chosen to require minimal upkeep.

The Arenal Rocking Chair’s motion is smooth and self-dampening, suited for porches and covered terraces. The Masaya Lounge Chair’s low seat height and wide armrests make it a candidate for poolside or garden seating. Neither piece includes cushions, which simplifies maintenance and aligns with the brand’s material-driven aesthetic.

Key facts

Context within Masaya’s catalog

Masaya has built its reputation on furniture that combines Latin American craft traditions with clean, modern lines. The brand’s earlier collections include indoor seating, tables and storage pieces that use similar material palettes — solid wood, handwoven fibers, natural finishes — but the new outdoor chairs mark a focused push into exterior living.

For designers and specifiers, the collection offers an alternative to mass-produced outdoor furniture. The handcrafted nature of the pieces means each chair is unique, and the use of FSC-certified teak provides a verifiable sustainability credential. The brand’s direct workshop model also shortens the supply chain and supports local employment, factors that are increasingly relevant in procurement decisions for hospitality, residential and landscape projects.

Source: Dezeen — https://www.dezeen.com/2026/10/07/outdoor-cord-seating-abril-zepeda-masaya-dezeen-showroom/