Modern Design Favorites That Are Made in America

Designed by Benjamin Cherner, the Cherner Lounge Arm Chair is defined by its welcoming, curved shape that recalls the original 1958 Cherner chair design by Benjamin’s father, Norman Cherner. The molded plywood shell, solid bentwood arm, and laminated wood base flow fluidly into one another, which gives the lounge chair an organic, calming sensibility. With a pronounced woodgrain and unobtrusive shape, the chair is an excellent accompaniment to modern interiors. Each chair is made in the Cherner studio in Connecticut.

Colorado–based Topo Designs creates backpacks and packs, clothing, and apparel that capture a decidedly outdoor spirit, while still maintaining a streamlined aesthetic that communicates with urban adventurers too. The classic Klettersack Backpack is designed with travel and commuting in mind. The spacious pack can hold up to 22 liters, while the slim silhouette ensures that it is not overly bulky. The exterior of the pack is made from 1000d Cordura fabric, and the interior of the backpack is lined in cloth. Each pack is handmade in Colorado.

San Francisco designer Tina Frey creates modern resin products for the home, using a thoroughly executed design, hand sculpting, and hand casting process. Her products are all food-safe, making them an excellent serveware solution in the modern kitchen. The Champagne Bucket was designed to provide an attractive, durable bucket that can be used both indoors and out. The bucket features knotted leather handles for added luxury and easier transport. Made from a shatterproof resin, this bucket can be used to hold champagne, wine, or other bottles that need to be chilled, and it can also be used for storing small items in the home.

Illustrator and designer Mark McGinnis creates graphic prints that expertly blend line and color. His Menagerie Collection presents a series of prints that depict animals and flora in a range of soft, yet vibrant colors. Although compositionally simple, each print is comprised of several parts—the graphic is screen-printed on 140 lb. arches watercolor paper, after which McGinnis fills the colored print with a hand-drawn line sketch, ensuring that no two prints are exactly the same. From there, the 100 percent cotton paper is mounted and framed in an ash wood frame. Each print in the series, like this Red Bull, can be used on its own, or coordinated with other prints in the series to create a menagerie of wall art. Each limited edition print is exclusive to the Dwell Store and is signed on the left side of the print, and numbered on the right.

Bring the energy and freshness of nature into your home with designer Farrah Sit’s Hanging Planter. The possibilities with this versatile piece are vast: curate your own organic installation, grow an herb garden in your kitchen wall, store small inspirations above your desk. Each handmade porcelain planter is fastened to an amber leather strap that dangles delicately from a solid brass hook, echoing the marriage of the substantial and the delicate in the natural world.

From designer Sandy Chilewich, the Mini Basketweave Floor Mat utilizes two yarns over two, instead of the traditional four over four found in the signature Basketweave. The result is a subtler, quieter texture and pleasingly uniform surface. Made from durable woven textile and flexible commercial-grade backing, the Mini Basketweave Woven Floormat is perfect for everyday use in the home or outdoors.

Paring an overhead light down to a simple, elemental form, the Disc Pendant Light from Workstead is an elegant light with an exposed bulb. Available in brass and blackened brass, the light consists of an arm and adjustable ten-inch disc. The light can be suspended straight from the ceiling, or the disc can be rotated to redirect light as needed. This can make the pendant operate similarly to a floor, table, or adjustable wall lamp, resulting in a versatile suspended fixture. The pendant is available in three different lengths, making it adaptable to a variety of ceiling heights and rooms.

Manny & Simon’s Taxi Wooden Push Toy is a brightly colored twist on a childhood favorite. This push toy is rendered in the shape of a classic New York City yellow taxi cab, including the checkerboard detailing on the side of the car. The car also includes windows—perfect for peek-a-boo—and four wheels that are crafted from sustainably harvested American maple. The toy is perfect for playtime, and looks attractive enough to be left out of the toy bin and on a shelf after playtime. Like all of Manny & Simon’s wooden heirloom toys, the Taxi Wooden Push Toy is constructed from eco-friendly materials using sustainable methods at their factory in Del Mar, California.

Celebrated architect Frank Gehry designed an innovative furniture collection for Heller in 2004. The collection, which features several cubes, a bench, table, chair, and sofa, is characterized by its striking resemblance to sculpture. Although the pieces are suited for daily use, they also look quite lovely on their own—the sleek surfaces, coupled with the gentle curves and flowing lines, allow the collection to be admired for its beauty, as much as it is utilized for function. Crafted from molded polymer, the furniture is comfortable as well as versatile—it can be used indoors and out.