What It's Like to Work With 99-Year-Old Design Icon Jens Risom

What was it like to take on the legacy of such a celebrated designer?

It took a couple months until I felt comfortable knowing who he was and he felt comfortable with me, because I'm designing this piece that has his name on it, and the reality is he might not be producing that much longer. I wanted to make sure that this product is something he can be proud of. It had to be true to his beliefs and a natural extension of his philosophy.

Atlanta-based furniture designer Chris Hardy collaborated with midcentury master Jens Risom, who just turned 99, on the Ven storage collection for Design Within Reach. The midcentury-inspired pieces will be on view at WantedDesign. (11th Avenue between 27th and 28th)