41 Savvy Buys From Design Within Reach’s Semiannual Sale
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Every room in the house is on sale during Design Within Reach’s semiannual event. While we had trouble narrowing down our wish list, here are the products we’d "add to cart" to build out our dream interior.
Muuto E27 Pendant Light
“The simplicity of the naked bulb is hard to compete with,” says Swedish designer Mattias Ståhlbom of his E27 Pendant (2008). Ståhlbom has distilled the idea of a pendant to its essence: just a socket, bulb and cord. The name of this pendant comes from the 27mm Edison screw base (or E27) developed by Thomas Edison for the incandescent light bulb. Made of indelible silicone, the socket won't retain heat and resists fading over time. The E27 can be hung singly, in pairs, in a row or in a cluster. Requires hardwired installation. Bulb (included): incandescent G40/40W. UL Listed. Made in China. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
ShopVitra Toolbox
Designed with the artist in mind, this plastic toolbox keeps all your gadgets handy. It also makes for a great caddy for collecting other doodads that you need on the go, and comes in a range of hues from mint green to vibrant tangerine.
ShopAnglepoise Type 80 Task Lamp
The Type 80 Desk Lamp (2019) features a unique halo-type light escape within the diffuser that helps it excel in low-light environments. Striking in how refined it looks, it’s fitted with a hidden cable that runs within the arms and articulated joints to position the lamp head precisely where desired. Bulb (included): 13W CFL, E26 base. Backed by a lifetime warranty. Made in China.
ShopVitra Eames Elephant
Charles and Ray Eames were known for being fascinated with certain animal figures—including elephants. Charles actually collected photographs of the animals from various inspirations around the world. In the 1940s, the couple designed the first version of their iconic elephant with molded plywood, which ended up requiring fabrication methods that were too complex to reproduce on a large scale. They only ever made two prototypes, in which only one exists today and is held by the Eames family themselves. Today, Vitra Design Museum produces the design with polypropylene in the same style as the Eames Molded Plastic chairs. Available in five colors, it holds GS and CE certificates that make it safe for kids.
ShopArtek Aalto Stool 60
Through experiments in wood bending, Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto developed and patented a technique for cutting and steaming birchwood to make it more malleable. This process led to the Aalto Stool 60 (1933), a small, stackable stool with an L-leg, which Aalto referred to as “the little sister of the architectural column.” Available in a variety of colors. Made in Finland.
ShopTon Salt Chair
The compact footprint of this chair makes it a smart choice for cafes or just about anywhere you need to maximize seating. Its lack of ornamentation and unnecessary excess lends this timeless, Shaker-style chair a modern feel. Finished in a water-based opaque paint that really makes the chair’s profile pop, Salt is unpretentious, familiar, and made for everyday use.
ShopMagis Spun Chair
Spun is a genuinely unique experience. Its sculptural form entrances the viewer with shaping and texture that recall the nuances seen in hand-thrown pottery. The scoop seating rotates on a pointed base so that sitters can sink into low seating to relax, and pivot or sway. Select from a variety of modern vivid colors. Transparent options not meant for outdoor use. Magis is an Italian furniture company founded in 1976 by designer Eugenio Perazza. Their modern and contemporary designs are the work of leading global designers and feature smooth, clean lines and geometric forms. With indoor furniture, outdoor furniture and a kids' line called Me Too, their innovative and creative pieces have won many awards and are in the permanent collections of contemporary art museums.
ShopDesign Within Reach Neutra Modern House Numbers
In 2001, renowned design studio House Industries partnered with the estate of late architect Richard Neutra – whose notable projects include the Kaufmann House (1947) in Palm Springs, the Lovell Health House (1929) in Los Angeles and the Kronish House (1955) in Beverly Hills, among others – to create a set of fonts based on the geometric letterforms Neutra specified for many of his residential houses and commercial buildings. The resulting font family, Neutraface, became an integral part of the new millennium’s typographic landscape. Rendered directly from the Neutraface outlines, precision-crafted Neutra House Numbers (1930s) bring a piece of the Neutra aesthetic to any residential or commercial space. Designed for visibility, these robust house numbers mount approximately 0.75" off the wall to cast subtle shadows. Each includes extensive installation instructions and a full-scale drilling template to eliminate any guesswork, and the mounting hardware is hidden when installed properly. Made in China.
ShopAfteroom Story Bookcase
Book storage is difficult in small spaces. With a small footprint, and discreet frame, Story Bookcase was designed to make the most of your space and show off books and other collectibles. “We simply want to create things people won’t get rid of,” says Story designer Chen-Yen. In creating the Story Bookcase (2017), they brought a new twist to vertical book storage. Story allows you to shift and rotate the shelves to suit your space's needs. Made in Taiwan.
ShopSkagerak Cutter Bench
In the 1990s, Danish designer Niels Hvass became a leader in the Nordic design scene by creating furniture that earned him awards and recognitions from Bo Bedre, Georg Jensen and The Design Foundation. He designed his teak Cutter Collection to challenge overly nostalgic wooden outdoor furnishings, bringing elegance and simplicity to outdoor spaces, as well as interior ones. Originally intended for gardens and patios, the Cutter Bench (2008) is also fitting for kitchens and bathrooms. This piece features specially engineered mortise-and-tenon joints and metal rail inlays for durability. Like all teak products, it will develop a rich, silvery patina over time, or it can be treated with teak oil to maintain its original luster. Like all teak products, it will develop a rich, silvery patina over time, or it can be treated with teak oil to maintain its original luster. Please note: At first, the wood will be lighter than what’s shown in photos. Made in Thailand.
ShopWallace Sewell Lloyd Lambswool Block Pillow
Harriet Wallace-Jones and Emma Sewell are founders of the London-based design studio Wallace Sewell, known for textiles with bold geometric patterns. Each fabric is processed at a family-run mill that merges age-old techniques with advanced technology. The Lloyd Lambswool Block Pillow (2018) is woven from merino lambswool for a luxurious feel. Inspired by paintings from Korean artist Chung Eun Mo, Lloyd is marked by a striking pattern of blocks and stripes in contrasting hues. Made in the U.K.
ShopNathan Yong Line Credenza
Designer Nathan Yong creates pieces that project quiet elegance, for which he credits hectic city living. “My work is a reflection of my yearning for nature in this concrete jungle,” he says. The Line Collection (2012) is distinguished by horizontal lines that lend a sense of restfulness. This louvered design also serves a purpose on applicable units, allowing remotes to control devices inside. Line brings order to electronics, barware, tableware, and even office supplies. Made in Malaysia.
ShopDesign Within Reach Min Bed
It takes a skilled designer to make a metal bed look elegant rather than institutional, but Luciano Bertoncini has met the task. The Italian maestro — who first came to prominence when the legendary Joe Colombo included one of his pieces in a catalog — designed the streamlined Min Bed (2003) with thoughtful details such as curved edges and corners that protect shins and toes. The slat platform provides constant ventilation for a mattress (crucial for memory foam), while the sleek form also maximizes space under the bed, for those who use that area for storage. (Who, me?) No wonder the Min Bed has been a best-seller since its debut. Made in Italy.
ShopNanimarquina Edges Rug
Since the 1980s, Nani Marquina has been one of the leading pioneers of modern rug design, bringing her fine sense of color and texture, engaging aesthetic and warmth to floor coverings. Her Barcelona-based firm produces her own works and those of designers like Claudia Valsells, a visual artist who specializes in exploring the relationship between color and form. Inspired by her own murals, Valsells created her Edges Rug (2019) to bring attention to its borders, much as she does in many of her other designs. Together with the nonprofit Care & Fair, Marquina fights illegal child labor in carpet manufacturing. Made in India. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
ShopFlensted Symphony Mobile
In 1953, Christian Flensted created his first mobile to celebrate the christening of his daughter, and Flensted Mobiles was born. Almost two decades later, following in his father’s footsteps, Ole Flensted designed his very first mobile, and he’s since developed many others that now hang all over the world. He draws his inspiration from a variety of elements, such as nature, technology, and his own environment. Each and every Flensted mobile is carefully handcrafted by 60 specialists spread throughout Funen, Denmark. Symphony (1972) was conceived as Flensted listened to Mozart, hence the name. Made in Denmark. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
ShopCase Orb Grinder
A perfect companion in any kitchen, the geometric Orb Grinder (2017) is finely crafted from solid beech. It’s also a friend of the environment, designed by Gareth Neal to stand the test of time and fitted with a CrushGrind ceramic mechanism that increases its longevity. The coarseness of the grind can be adjusted simply by turning the knob at the base. Made in the Czech Republic.
ShopDesign Within Reach Lína Swivel Chair
“I think ‘flow’ is a good word for it,” says designer Hlynur Atlason when asked to describe his Lína Swivel Chair (2018) in one word. “Because of the way the shapes come together as one, and how they play off each other.” Born in Iceland, Hlynur studied at Parsons in New York, where he continues to live today. From his SoHo office, he’s designed furniture, products and packaging for Ercol, Stella Artois, Billie, L’Oréal and, of course, Design Within Reach. The Lína Swivel Chair began with his desire to create a chair as one solid form. The result is both clean and complex, with no straight lines, and curves that are continuously changing trajectory. “It’s a sculpted shape that one can enjoy examining,” he says. Icelandic for “line,” Lína “embraces you with all the softness on the inside.” Made in Italy.
ShopVitra Nelson Ball Clock
The Ball Clock (1949) was the first of more than 150 clocks designed by George Nelson Associates for the Howard Miller Clock Company, which sold them from 1949 into the 1980s. Nelson Associates, first launched as a studio by George Nelson in 1947 in New York City, employed some of the most celebrated designers of the time, including Irving Harper, Don Ervin and Charles Pollock, all of whom contributed to the clocks. Until its closure in the mid-1980s, the company designed a range of products for many clients, including Herman Miller, Inc., which was established in 1923 by Howard Miller’s brother-in-law, D.J. De Pree. A bit of family history: De Pree also founded the Herman Miller Clock Company in 1926 but turned it over in 1937 to Howard, who renamed it. As for the identity of Herman Miller, he was Howard’s father and De Pree’s father-in-law. The Ball Clock appeared in the original Miller brochure as Model 4755. This is an authentic Nelson Clock, produced by Vitra Design Museum. Uses one AA battery (included). Made in Poland.
ShopMuuto Restore Basket
Finnish designer Mika Tolvanen named his simple basket “Restore” because it’s constructed of polymer felt made from recycled PET bottles. Perfect for holding magazines, accessories, or even firewood, the Restore Basket (2009) holds its shape but is made of a soft material that won’t scratch tabletop surfaces. “I wanted the basket to have an unobtrusive nature,” says Tolvanen. “And to give it a form that has a friendly appearance.” Made in China.
ShopKartell Componibili Storage Unit
The Componibili Storage Unit (1969) takes its name from componibile, Italian for “modular,” consisting of individual storage modules equipped with a sliding front door and tongue-and-groove design to offer attractive, stackable storage. Componibili was designed by Anna Castelli Ferrieri, who was one of the first women to graduate with a degree in architecture from Politecnico di Milano. She then went on to become a prominent architect and designer before co-founding the company Kartell with her husband, Giulio Castelli, in 1949. Made in Italy.
ShopWilhelm Wagenfeld Table Lamp
Wilhelm Wagenfeld was 24 years old when he was admitted as a journeyman to the Bauhaus, where he designed the Wagenfeld Table Lamp (1924), which later came to be known as the Bauhaus Lamp. Today, it’s produced in strict accordance with the original specifications for dimensions and materials, marked by a perfectly proportioned geometric design. It comprises an opal glass diffuser set atop a clear glass column and base with nickel-plated metal accents. Each is sequentially numbered and bears the Bauhaus logo under its base. This lamp resides in the permanent collection of MoMA. Bulb (not included): E26 base, 75W max. Made in Germany. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
ShopCase Dulwich Extension Table
Since graduating from London’s Kingston Polytechnic in 1979, Matthew Hilton has built a following for his innovative furniture and lighting, with pieces held in the permanent collections of London’s Geffrye and Victoria & Albert Museums, among others. His Dulwich Extension Table (2016) - pronounced “dull-itch,” just like its London neighbor Greenwich - is a masterclass in function and craft. The piece’s slender legs draw outward from the corners, maximizing user legroom, while details like mitered joints and visible through-tenons speak to its artistry. Finished with a solid-wood edge banding for durability, the tabletop has a locking steel mechanism that easily opens to accommodate the table’s additional leaves. The rectangular table is made in Malaysia (walnut) or Lithuania (oak), and the round one in Thailand.
ShopLouis Poulsen PH5 Pendant Lamp
With its conical shade featuring layers of different sizes and shapes, Poul Henningsen’s PH5 Pendant Lamp (1958) directs light horizontally and vertically, creating an even, diffused glow. It’s compact enough to be used in multiples and suitable for residential and commercial spaces. To add even more warmth to its light quality, the interior of the classic white version’s cone is painted red and its smallest reflector blue. Bulb (not included): 22W/A21/E26 LED. UL Listed. Made in Denmark.
ShopVitra Eames House Bird
The Eames House Bird rose to stardom in the 1950s when Charles and Ray Eames pulled it from their own living room and positioned it with a group of Eames DKR chairs for a poster. This masterfully simplistic black bird (circa 1910) with tapered beak and sleek tail was one of their most prized objects of folk art. In cooperation with the Eames family, Vitra used 3-D scans of the original to create the solid alder wood reproduction. Made in Germany.
ShopCarl Hansen & Søn Wishbone Chair
Using the best natural materials and refined steam-bent methods, Wishbone is made to last for generations. In 1944, Hans Wegner began a series of chairs that were inspired by portraits of Danish merchants sitting in Ming Chairs. One of these chairs was the Wishbone Chair (1949), also known as the “Y” or “CH-24,” which has been produced by the Danish firm Carl Hansen & Søn since 1950. The son of a shoemaker, Wegner was trained as a cabinetmaker before attending the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen, after which he began his career as an architect. Just three years later, Wegner started his own design office, and his work soon caught the eye of Carl Hansen. The Wishbone Chair fit what the Hansen company was looking for to supplement the heavier forms popular at the time. Made in Denmark.
ShopDesign House Stockholm Knot Pillow
“I’ve always been attracted to strange and unique things,” says Ragnheiður Ösp Sigurðardóttir as she explains how she developed her Knot Pillow (2011). “I try to create unusual designs, products that are unpredictable and that make people curious.” This piece started as an experiment with tubular knitting and ended with a knot pillow that's not like any other. Made in Lithuania.
ShopHay Matin Table Lamp
Known for works that display a lightness of touch and a bold personality, Inga Sempé created a lamp that strikes a romantic note, on or off. The Matin Table Lamp (2019) combines physical robustness with visual delicacy, featuring a slim steel frame that’s topped with a pleated cotton diffuser in a variety of vibrant colors. It includes an in-line dimmer switch to adjust brightness. Bulb (included): integrated LED, 2800K. Made in China.
ShopDesign Within Reach Risom Wastebasket
Born in Copenhagen in 1916, Jens Risom began studying in his youth under furniture maker Kaare Klint alongside the likes of Hans Wegner and Børge Mogensen. In 1939, he immigrated to the U.S. and began what became a towering career, initially marked by his designing most of the first collection for Hans Knoll Furniture and then by the founding of his own company in 1946, Jens Risom Design. Museum curators have credited him with providing a crucial link between Scandinavian and U.S. midcentury design, and his work is included in the collections of MoMA and the Cooper Hewitt, among many others. In the late 1950s, answering a call for accessories to accompany his popular commercial furniture, Risom introduced an assortment of desk pads, pens, ashtrays and eventually the Risom Wastebasket (1960s). It consists of a simple wood shell raised slightly on an inset plastic base to create a subtle suggestion of levitation, a Risom hallmark. Made in U.S.A.
ShopHAY Mags Soft Low Sofa
Delivering maximum comfort with minimum details, the Mags Soft Low Collection (2007) by HAY began with the idea that a sofa must have a simple look because it’s so dominant in a room. With that in mind, it was designed as a low, deep, welcoming space in which to stretch out and lounge. This collection features solid construction and plush foam cushions to ensure lasting comfort, with rounded edges to keep the aesthetic casual. Made in China.
ShopFLOS IC T1 High Table Lamp
After being schooled in industrial design and engineering at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College in London, Michael Anastassiades founded his own studio in 1994. His work falls somewhere in between the industrial and sculptural, especially his lighting, which consists of reflective materials such as polished bronze and mirrored glass in simple geometric shapes. Anastassiades’ pieces can be found in hotels, restaurants and shops worldwide, including the SoHo House New York, the Grand Hôtel Stockholm and Sergio Rossi boutiques. The IC Lamp (2013) possesses the poetic grace and balance that characterize all of his pieces, consisting of a blown glass diffuser mounted on an ultra-thin yet stable frame. Positioned in a seemingly precarious manner, as if it’s ready to drop any moment, the perched sphere lends captivating tension to the design. Bulb (included): 60W/G9 frosted halogen. Made in Italy. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
ShopShin and Tomoko Azumi LEM Piston Stool
Shin and Tomoko Azumi have brought innovation to a range of products, from subwoofer speakers to salt and pepper shakers to their LEM Piston Stool (2000). Named Product of the Year at the FX International Interior Design Awards in the year of its release, the often copied LEM Piston Stool reveals a rigorous and original rethinking of the form and function of seating. The sculptural seat not only swivels but also adjusts easily from counter height to bar height with a lever that activates a gas cylinder. While utility strongly determines its form, this unique stool also has a visual lightness that creates the illusion of freedom from gravity. After designing the LEM Piston Stool, Shin and Tomoko Azumi dissolved their partnership to start solo practices, and they both still develop furniture, lighting and interiors for clients worldwide. LEM is included in the permanent collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Made in Italy. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
ShopIbon Arrizabalaga Sen Credenza
Born in the city of San Sebastián, Spanish designer Ibon Arrizabalaga studied industrial design in Barcelona before starting his career in the automotive industry. Five years later, he quickly switched gears, so to speak, and began designing modern furniture. There’s a subtle beauty to Arrizabalaga’s work, which can be described as minimal yet harmonious. His Sen Credenza (2017) is a sleek solution for media and workspace storage, with push-latch cabinets and drawers that allow the fronts to remain hardware-free for a streamlined look. Made in Spain. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
ShopFritz Hansen Swan Chair
Designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, for which designer Arne Jacobsen was the architect, the Swan Chair (1958) permitted guests to spin on its swivel base, thus becoming active participants in the busy hotel atmosphere. Now made of polyurethane foam, it’s marked by its flowing organic shape. A single upholsterer hand-sews the fabric onto the frame. Original design and licensed manufacture by Republic of Fritz Hansen. Made in Poland.
ShopGubi Grasshopper Floor Lamp
Upon moving to California in 1940, Swedish architect Greta Magnusson Grossman began combining her European training with a West Coast aesthetic, adding a sense of play. Her Grasshopper Floor Lamp (1948) resembles its namesake in form, with a lithe tubular steel frame and elongated conical shade. Ball-jointed, the shade can be moved in any direction to focus the light and minimize glare.
ShopDesign Within Reach Cove Bed
“Giving respect to materials and craft is very important,” says Nathan Yong. In the case of the Cove Bed (2017), the Singapore-based designer fully demonstrates his reverence. The inner edges of the headboard, footboard and side rails, for instance, are rounded over rather than squared off. “I wanted to create a bed that’s sturdy but not clunky,” he says, “and to make the mattress seem like it’s ‘tucking into’ the bed frame.” The unadorned profile highlights the beauty of the wood, while the turned-and-tapered bedposts have tops that are subtly cupped. “It’s just a small thing,” he says of the latter. “But then you touch them, and there’s this moment that touches your senses.” Made in Malaysia.
ShopSerralunga Cup Planter
Naoto Fukasawa’s approach to design is based on careful observation of people’s actions and feelings, which enables him to create products that fit into people’s lives so naturally that they’re “Without Thought,” a concept he teaches at two universities and to clients worldwide. His Cup Planter (2003) is crafted of double-walled UV- and weather-resistant polyethylene that’s 100% recyclable. It can be drilled in the center from the inside out to allow drainage. Made in Italy.
ShopIris Hantverk Doormat With Bristles
The Iris Hantverk company produces high-quality household items using techniques that date back to the 19th century. Enlisting the skills of top designers to conceptualize their products, they hire and support visually impaired craftspeople to create these meticulously assembled pieces. Tough enough for gardeners’ muddy boots, the Doormat with Bristles (2008) is a must for the mudroom, entry or porch. Rows of stiff synthetic bristles trap sand and dirt, and the durable raised beech wood slats allow water to pass through for quick drying. Made in Sweden.
ShopTon Fleur Coat Stand
Slovak designer Lubo Majer has been working under the banner of his own name since 1995, when he earned his degree from the Technical University in Zvolen. To celebrate Ton’s heritage in crafting of bentwood furniture, he designed the simple Fleur Coat Stand (2017) with clearly defined lines that bend outward just like the petals of a flower (fleur in French) for holding coats and more. “At certain angles of view, plant motifs can be seen – hence the origins of the name,” Majer says. Made in the Czech Republic. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
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