Christopher Anderson’s path to designing luxury furniture took a few twists along the way. The founder and president of Ledge Lounger—a $10 million-plus luxury outdoor furniture manufacturer and lifestyle brand— started off his career in the world of media. After graduating from Louisiana State University with a degree in construction management, he worked in promotions at his alma mater, and later tackled sales and marketing at the Dallas Morning News.
Meanwhile, his father was running a successful pool business back home in Houston. Anderson resisted joining the family trade—for a while. “In 2007, business was booming and Dad was crazy busy,” recalls Anderson. “After swearing I would never get involved, I gave it a try. I ended up falling in love with the landscape architecture side, working with homeowners and laying out projects. My goal was always to focus on designing an entire space, not just the pool,” he explains.
While his dad handled all things construction, Anderson tapped into his creative side, masterminding high-end projects for clients in the Houston area. Then, one day a client wanted his chaises placed in the water, long term, on a Baja shelf. The situation posed a dilemma for Anderson’s devotion to quality.
“We quickly realized that regular patio furniture wouldn’t work,” he recalls. “Pool chemicals create a very harsh environment, and the potential for furniture to stain the interior pool finish was an issue too. Not to mention the fact that placing metal furniture in a pool is unsafe and a huge liability,” he adds. “This particular client had the budget for a custom piece, and after about two years of research, we made the very first Ledge Lounger.”
Today, the iconic chaise—built from weather- and chemical-resistant resin— lines residential and resort pools across the country. Sleek and contemporary, it cleverly dips its occupant into just the right amount of cooling water, or is equally at home on the pool deck. The Signature Chaise is designed for a tanning ledge with up to 9 inches of water, while a “Deep” version is ideal for ledges with 10- 15 inches. Both are available in 11 different colors; headrest pillows are additional.
Building on the success of his chaise, Anderson and his team developed a “Legacy” line of outdoor furniture. Built out of HDPE (high-density polyethylene)—“It will more or less last a lifetime,” says the entrepreneur—Legacy includes classic Adirondacks as well as club chairs with four seat back choices. There’s also a “Mainstay” resin line with various sectional configurations, tables, and ottomans. The company’s high-quality cushions all have quick-dry inserts and marine-grade Sunbrella.
After its launch in 2011, and now with 35 employees and a continually expanding product list, Ledge Lounger is a force in the world of pool-centered enjoyment. New products include an HDPE pingpong table and a chic resin daybed that can be placed on a sun shelf.
The reason for Anderson’s success is straightforward: he encountered a genuine need, and came up with a brilliant yet stylish solution that stands the test of time. However, the best part about Ledge Lounger’s furniture is not its look or warranty, but the way it makes you feel. “You can just lie back and relax, stream your fingers through the water and forget about the world,” says the creator.
