Press: From First Light to Midnight: Watson Furniture Introduces a Fresh Finish Palette Rooted in Harmony and Inspiration
Watson Furniture has expanded its standard finish offerings with a refined, cohesive palette designed to inspire creativity across every product line. Grounded in timeless materials and built around subtle, purposeful color stories, the new finishes give designers an expanded, intuitive toolkit to craft spaces that feel intentional, welcoming, and true to their vision.
The refresh, led by Design Manager Rachel Whitaker, centers on material harmony. Tones were carefully aligned across laminates, powdercoats, textiles, and storage finishes to simplify the design process and unlock greater flexibility. “We weren’t chasing trends—we were building a foundation,” said Whitaker. “One that gives designers more freedom, not more noise.”
To highlight the refresh, Watson developed a series of inspirational palettes that draw from the rhythm of the day—from the quiet stillness of first light to the layered depth of midnight. Each palette brings together materials that work beautifully in combination, helping designers shape environments that support everything from focused solo work to energized collaboration.
Highlights of the new finish program include:
- Cross-material coordination, with cool-to-warm tones repeated across all materials
- An expanded textile offering, featuring 75 colorways across 8 patterns and 4 suppliers—bringing more depth, texture, and softness
- Support for tonal, monochrome, and high-contrast pairings, enabling both understated and expressive design
- Expanded woodgrains, elevating Watson’s well-known woodgrain laminates with a broader range of patterns, layered tones, and versatile neutrals
Whitaker’s process combined data, trend research, and real-time feedback from customer visits to ensure the final palette would be both beautiful and practical. “It wasn’t about any one finish,” she explained. “It was about how they interact—how they shape a space, and how they reflect the way people want to feel at work.”
The team at Watson Furniture is excited to see how designers bring these new finishes to life and hopes the refreshed offering sparks new ideas and unexpected combinations. To explore the possibilities, designers can download the First Light to Midnight inspirational brochure and dive into curated palettes that bring each moment of the day to life at https://www.watsonfurniture.com/inspirational-finish-palettes.
About Watson
For nearly 60 years, Watson has designed and built furniture rooted in lasting quality, sustainable materials, and honest craftsmanship. Every product is manufactured at the company’s Pacific Northwest campus in Poulsbo, Washington. Learn more at watsonfurniture.com.
