41 Savvy Buys From Design Within Reach’s Semiannual Sale

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The design savings event of the year is here: score 15% off thousands of items, plus enjoy free shipping on orders over $5,000 from now until October 17.

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
Vitra 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.
Anglepoise Type 80 Task Lamp
An icon of industrial design with works spanning over half a century, Sir Kenneth Grange has served as design director for Anglepoise since 2003. As described in Wallpaper, "He’s the classically styled godfather of British modernism, renowned for designing some of the most iconic industrial products of the past 50 years." His Type 80 Task 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. Made in China. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
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. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Artek Stool 60
An eloquent humanist, as well as one of the great architects and designers of the 20th century, Alvar Aalto breathed life and warmth into modernism, placing emphasis on organic geometry, natural materials and respect for the human element. In 1935, he and his wife, fellow architect Aino Aalto, co-founded Artek, the Finnish company that still produces their work to this day. Through his experiments in wood bending, Alvar developed and patented a technique for cutting and steaming birch wood to make it more malleable. These adventures led to the design of his L-leg, which he referred to as "the little sister of the architectural column." While originally designed for his Stool 60 (1933), the leg soon found its way into all Aalto furniture. For more than 80 years, this simple stackable stool with three bent legs and round seat has been the ideal of functionalist furniture design. This is the authentic Stool 60 by Alvar Aalto. Ships flat; simple assembly required. Made in Finland. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Sambonet Terra Cotto Large Round Casserole with Lid
As versatile as it is attractive, Terra Cotto Cookware effortlessly goes from oven to table and back, functioning as cookware and serveware. This enamel-coated cast-iron collection is engineered for optimal thermal conductivity, so it distributes heat evenly and stays warm longer. It’s suitable for all heat sources: electric, gas and induction stovetops, as well as electric, gas, coal and wood ovens. Dishwasher safe. Made in Italy. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Ton Salt Chair
The compact footprint of the Salt Chair makes it a smart choice for cafés or just about anywhere you need to maximize seating. Unlike chairs that have widely splayed legs, a Salt Chair can be placed side by side with another without wasting space in between. Its lack of ornamentation and unnecessary excess lends this timeless, Shaker-style chair a modern feel. And no, it’s not named after its color – until recently, it’s been available only in black. Rather, it owes its title to being as fundamental as the salt shaker on your table. Finished in a water-based opaque paint that really makes the chair’s profile pop, Salt is unpretentious, familiar and made for everyday use. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Magis 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.
House Industries 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. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Afteroom Story Bookcase
Fascinated by the transformation of spaces over long stretches of time, Hung-Ming Chen and Chen-Yen Wei invented the word Afteroom to name their studio in Stockholm. "We simply want to create things people won’t get rid of," says Chen-Yen. Their designs are marked by a spare style, and their use of tubular frameworks is a nod to the Bauhaus. In creating the Story Bookcase (2017), they brought a new twist to Sapien-style vertical book storage by allowing the user to position the shelves facing forward or to the side. By holding texts horizontally in a vertical stack, Story holds dozens of books in a very compact footprint. "We hope people see it as a quiet, functional sculpture," says Hung-Ming. All-metal construction and a heavy weighted base provide strength and stability. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Skagerak 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. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Wallace Sewell Lloyd Lambswool Block Pillow
After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 1990, Harriet Wallace-Jones and Emma Sewell founded their own London-based design studio, Wallace Sewell, known today for its use of yarn, structure and color to create textiles with bold geometric patterns. Each fabric begins on a loom, is processed at a family-run mill that merges age-old techniques with advanced technology, then ends with washing and pressing. The Lloyd Lambswool Block Pillow (2018) is woven from merino lambswool for a luxurious feel. Inspired by paintings of Korean artist Chung Eun Mo, Lloyd is marked by a striking pattern of blocks and stripes in contrasting hues. Made in the U.K. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Nathan Yong Line Credenza, Small
"I have always been inspired by the simple forms of turntables and entertainment units from the 1960s," says designer Nathan Yong – a remarkable statement when you learn that Yong grew up in a wooden hut by the sea, where he and his brother made their own toys and "waited for low tides so we could pick up treasures from the shore." Growing up with the beach as entertainment, Yong developed into a resourceful designer, whose work captivated us with its quiet elegance. At Salone del Mobile, the annual furniture fair in Milan, Yong showed us his Line Media Console, and we liked the aesthetic so much that we asked him to expand the collection. Another smart storage option, the Line Small Credenza (2010) has two louvered doors, four cubbies and two drawers. The louvered design also serves a functional purpose, allowing infrared light to reach remote-controlled devices stored inside. Constructed with leveling floor glides for uneven surfaces. Made in Malaysia. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Luciano Bertoncini Min Bed
Early in his career, Italian designer Luciano Bertoncini had a chance meeting with the legendary Joe Colombo, who chose one of Bertoncini’s products to feature in his catalog. The exposure he received from that placement led to an invitation to contribute to the famous 1972 exhibition Italy: The New Domestic Landscape at MoMA in New York. Today, Bertoncini is a furniture designer working from his studio in Treviso, serving the needs of clients around the world. It takes a skilled designer to make a metal bed look elegant rather than institutional, and his Min Bed (2003) has been a best-selling product in our assortment since its debut. Combining high-quality materials and expert construction with a basic slat platform, the Min provides constant ventilation for your mattress (which is crucial for memory foam). Bed ships flat; simple assembly required. Made in Italy. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Nanimarquina 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
Flensted 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
Gareth Neal Orb Grinder
As a hands-on designer, Gareth Neal is fascinated by the design process, whether it involves traditional tools, advanced equipment or a combination of both. Respect for his environment drives him to create pieces that will stand the test of time. A perfect companion to any kitchen, the geometric Orb Grinder (2017) is finely crafted from solid beech and fitted with a CrushGrind ceramic mechanism for longevity. Adjust coarseness of the grind simply by turning the knob at the base. Made in the Czech Republic. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Dusen Dusen Towel
Ellen Van Dusen studied the psychology of design and the brain’s reaction to visual stimuli at Tufts University. After graduating, she launched Brooklyn-based Dusen Dusen, a clothing line that soon became known for its lively original prints, then expanded the brand in 2015 to include bedding and towels. Dusen draws her inspiration from a variety of sources, such as midcentury resort architecture, Italian industrial design and Scandinavian textiles. Her wonderfully playful Dusen Dusen Towel (2015) is marked by vivid colors and bold patterns that captivate. It sports a jacquard weave, so its sides are opposites of each other. Machine washable. Made in China. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Design Within Reach Lína Swivel Chair
Iceland native Hlynur Atlason was a political science major when he was invited to an open house at Parsons Paris, a branch of the New York school. "There were all these people doing these really interesting things in art," he recalls. "I switched paths right there." To pursue product design, he transferred to Parsons in New York, where he continues to live today. The Lína Swivel Chair (2018) began with a desire to create a chair as one solid form. The result is both clean and complex, without a single straight line. Every surface is moving, and curves 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. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Vitra 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. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Muuto Restore Basket, Large
Finnish designer Mika Tolvanen, winner of the prestigious Bruno Mathsson Award of 2012, named his simple basket "Restore" because it’s constructed of polymer felt made from recycled PET bottles. This eco-friendly approach is something that can be found in many of the projects Tolvanen has worked on since earning his master’s degree in design from the Royal College of Art in 2001. Perfect for holding magazines, toys 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 a non-obtrusive nature," says Tolvanen. "And to give it a form that has a friendly appearance." Made in China. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Kartell Componibili Storage Unit
One of the very first women to graduate with a degree in architecture from Politecnico di Milano, Anna Castelli Ferrieri went on to become a prominent architect and designer before co-founding Kartell with her husband, Giulio Castelli, in 1949. Named for componibile, Italian for "modular," her ingenious Componibili Storage Unit (1969) consists of three individual storage modules that each come equipped with a sliding front door and tongue-and-groove design to offer accessible, stackable storage. Suitable for use anywhere in the home or office to keep clutter under control. Made in Italy. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Wilhelm 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
Case Dulwich Extension Table
Matthew Hilton doesn’t believe in design movements and instead prefers to think of the whole design process as part of the evolution of any object through history. The Dulwich Extension Table (2016) is a fine example of how his products are imbued with feeling and functionality. While the name is pronounced "dull-itch" (like Greenwich), this table is certain to be a place for many lively and engaging conversations. Dulwich boasts exquisite proportions, with legs that draw away from the corners to maximize legroom, as well as fine details that speak to its quality, like mitered joints and visible through-tenons on the legs. Its locking steel extension mechanism is specially designed to allow for easy opening. Simply pull one end of the table to simultaneously open both halves. Depending on size of chairs, Dulwich can seat up to 10 people. Made in Lithuania. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Louis Poulsen PH5 Pendant Lamp
Having graced the halls of universities, restaurants and libraries in Europe for decades, the PH5 Pendant Lamp (1958) is one of designer Poul Henningsen’s most recognizable lighting designs. Constructed by Louis Poulsen, the original manufacturer since its inception, this versatile lamp features a shade with layers of varying sizes and shapes to direct light both horizontally and vertically. Striking in form but compact enough to be used in multiples, it’s suitable for both residential and commercial spaces. Bulb (not included): 22W/A21/E26 LED. UL Listed. Made in Denmark. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Vitra 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. Also appearing in several of the Eameses’ photographs, the masterfully simplistic black bird (circa 1910) with its tapered beak and sleek tail was evidently one of their most prized objects of Appalachian 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. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Hans J. Wegner Wishbone Chair
Designed specifically for Carl Hansen & Søn in 1949, Hans J. Wegner's Wishbone Chair (CH24) was the last part of his series that combined a chair's arms and top rails into one piece. The series was inspired by portraits of Danish merchants sitting in Chinese Ming Dynasty chairs. At the time, Wegner was making a huge leap of faith—and it paid off since Carl Hansen & Søn had been looking for a more lightweight chair than what was common at the time. The steam-bent solid wood top connects to the Y-shaped back in a way that provides both comfort and support. To this day, it’s crafted in Denmark with an acute attention to detail. The seat is hand-woven from paper cord, which is a durable material that replaced jute during WWII. You can choose to have the sculptural frame made of beech, oak, or walnut in a range of lacquer finishes.
Design 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 knotlike pillow. Made in Lithuania. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
HAY Matin Table Lamp, Small
A graduate of ENSCI-Les Ateliers in Paris, designer Inga Sempé started her own studio in 2000. She’s since partnered with several renowned firms, including Alessi, Hay, Luceplan and others. Sempé was always impressed by the clever clamp lamps of her childhood, readily available in local hardware stores. Her Matin Lamp (XXX) combines visual delicacy with physical robustness. It comprises a steel wire frame finished in polished brass paired with a pleated cotton diffuser in a variety of vibrant colors. Includes in-line dimmer switch to adjust brightness. Bulb (included): integrated LED, 2800K. Made in China. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Design Within Reach Doorbell - Small
Create a clean exterior aesthetic with the addition of this modern Doorbell Plate with pared-down design that fits a variety of architectural styles and can be installed vertically or horizontally. The button (not illuminated) offers satisfying touch resistance, and the brushed stainless steel housing complements our Neutra House Numbers. Installation hardware is included; two wires behind the plate connect to your existing doorbell (compatible with most bells). Made in Germany. Photo Courtesy of Design 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. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
HAY Mags Soft Low 2.5-Seater Sofa
The minimalist Mags Sofa is as perfect on the inside as it is on the outside. That means that it's engineered for durability and comfort with perfect composition and high quality padding. The deep seat and high armrests make this three-seater versatile and flexible for all your friends and family and their various sitting needs. It has a strong presence with its firm expression and fixed upholstery, but it also works beautifully with colorful throws and cushions for a softer, warmer look. Danish design studio HAY is a manufacturer in MoMA's collection. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
FLOS 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
Shin 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
Ibon 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
Fritz Hansen Swan Chair
Before the Swan Chair (1958), Arne Jacobsen’s architecture and designs were shaped by an assumption of materials’ natural ways of resisting. In other words, he could make them go only so far in becoming the structures he desired. With new technologies, however, the old rules no longer applied, and he was able to shape fluid curves and single-piece molded shells. The Swan Chair is now made from polyurethane foam, but at the time, Jacobsen used Styropore® to create its continuous shape. Designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, for which Jacobsen was the architect, the chair permitted guests to spin on its swivel base, thus becoming active participants in the busy hotel atmosphere. A single upholsterer hand-sews the fabric onto the frame of Swan. Original design and licensed manufacture by Republic of Fritz Hansen. Made in Poland.
Gubi Grasshopper Floor Lamp
Swedish architect and designer Greta Magnusson Grossman broke through gender barriers to embark on a prolific career. In 1940, she and her husband immigrated to the United States, where her approach to Swedish modernism struck a chord with single, professional women who felt that she understood their needs and sensibilities. She opened a store on Rodeo Drive, where her furniture and accessories quickly drew the attention of clients such as Greta Garbo, Joan Fontaine and Gracie Allen. In the 1950s, she founded her architecture office and designed 14 homes – 13 in California and one in Sweden – each one a showcase for her quietly dramatic approach. The Grasshopper Lamp (1948) has a lithe frame and an elongated conical shade that rotates to direct light where needed. This is an authentic Grossman lamp, produced to the designer’s original specifications. Bulb (not included): incandescent 40W/E12 or comparable CFL. Made in Denmark. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Nathan Yong Cove Bed
"Giving respect to materials and craft is very important," says Nathan Yong, and in the case of the Cove Bed (2017), he applied respect everywhere. The inner edges of side rails, footboard and headboard, 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 turned-and-tapered bedposts also honor wood and craftsmanship, with tops that are subtly cupped. "It’s just a small thing, but then you touch it and there’s this moment that touches your senses," he says. "Maybe a child who plays with the cupped tops of the bedposts will remember that touch years later if becoming owner of this bed." Made in Malaysia. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Serralunga Cup Planter, Large
After a brief career as a watch designer, Naoto Fukasawa moved to the United States to work for the design firm IDEO in 1989. Still learning English, Fukasawa used visuals to communicate with his Silicon Valley coworkers as they designed computers, medical devices, furniture and sporting goods. In 1996 he returned to Japan, where he launched IDEO’s Tokyo office, and seven years later he started his own company. Fukasawa’s approach to design is based on careful observation of people’s actions and feelings. It is in the study of these behaviors that he is able to create products that fit into people’s lives so naturally that they are "Without Thought" – a concept he now teaches at two universities and to clients worldwide. In designing his Cup Planter (2003), Fukasawa was inspired by the curved shape of ancient wooden bowls to create "a cozy atmosphere for plants." The double-walled construction is crafted of UV- and weather-resistant polyethylene that is 100% recyclable. Cup can be drilled in the center from the inside out to allow drainage. Made in Italy. Photo Courtesy of Design Within Reach
Iris 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.
Ton 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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