Design Within Reach

I went there a couple years back to buy furniture with my sweet new home equity loan. The prices were absurd, and it looks like Ikea stuff! At least they have great warranties, right? No. In fact, I’m not even sure they have real warranties. The store clerks weren’t exactly sure. Seriously, this is one of those places that gets mocked in discount ads. I don’t know how they are still in business.

Our weekend didn’t end with just wine, food and more festivities, it also included a stop at Design Within Reach. Truly a unique store, sleek lines, quirky lighting design and classic seating was in every turn. Meandering through each section our party of 5 found offerings that would map to any decorator’s delight — depending on each person’s interest.
I found my experience quite unique in that I was not approached by a sales person once… did we just appear to be lookie loos? Regardless, I would go back and when the time was right certainly would purchase a few of the creative designs I saw.
The evening ended with more food and more drink btw!

The furniture is fairly predictable and very expensive. However, they have a lot of cool events. Get on the mailing list, it’s always a good time.

I saw the coolest crow-​shaped bottle opener on DWR online but I was unsure of its size/​functionality, so I decided to swing by the Adams Morgan store one evening. I walked in the door — no sign of life. I wander around a bit, looking for my crow bottle opener and still nothing. I need help but the store is seemingly empty. Finally, I venture to the back corner of the store and glance behind the wall. Two staff members! Wahoo!
Except they glare at me. The male clerk stands up coolly and asks if he can help me. I describe my situation. That it’s almost christmas and that these bottle openers would be perfect for my bf & brother-​in-​law. That i just want to see them and that I’m probably going to purchase them.
He glances at me, says ‘oh, we don’t carry the tools for living in the store’ and stares at me until i leave. Great. Thanks for the help sir.

I agree 100% with jenn. I was at an event at DWR this weekend and took about 20 or so shots and was told I very clearly that couldn’t take any more photos by the manager. I was actually there to blog about how cool I thought there designs were. However, after being treated like the scum, I have had a 180 degree reversal of my perspective.
First, they’re NOT within reach of 99% of the world’s population. $ 300 wooden and plastic chairs. If you’re spending this much on chairs… seriously!?! Go save 30 lives at Unicef with a nice donation, instead of getting more plastic crap. Or goto Target. Goto Ikea. Goto Pier One. Get something there AND save 20 lives. Everybody wins!
Lets not even get into what a mark up they have. Alot of their furniture/​objects are made of PLASTIC. I can get rubbermade tubs at $ 5 a pop and even thats probably too much. How is it possible that there stuff runs $ 500 when you can get FIVE $ 100 laptop for the developing world for the same price. Why pay $ 500 for a corporatized, plastic, homogenized lifestyle.
Ultimately, the only reason I can forsee to shopping here is ego-​gratification. And I guess you deserve their plastic, dramatically overpriced crap if think that is justified.
Second, given that i cant’ take photos in your place of business you’re ANTI-​freedom, ANTI-​art, and ANTI-​design.
I’m sorry if this comes of as strident, but I was treated very poorly when I had the best of intents. They aren’t selling furniture or design, they are selling ego-​gratification. Plain and simple. If you think design is imporant, buy some art, support the local arts community, or give money to one of the many arts of organizations in the area.
Also, there are literally tons of locally owned shops in the area that are struggling to stay afloat. Support them. Don’t sell out. You deserve better than that.

Word jenn h., I guess if I were on a ladder made out of trust funds, stock options and bank robberies this crap would be within my reach…
With that said, my fiancé and I came in here last summer, just after moving to DC (without jobs), looking for some apartment furnishings. Despite the fact that the looks on our faces must’ve obviously shown how out of reach we were of a $ 500 chair, the salespeople still gave their complete attention and didn’t make pariahs of us. Kudos.

Within WHOSE reach are these designs, exactly? I’m stretching and reaching awfully far, but I still don’t think my fingertips can quite dig deep enough into my wallet to find myself living in a DWR home. *sigh*
Did you know there’s another location, not just in Georgetown’s Cady’s Ally? Yup, Adam’s Morgan can also provide you with an ultra-​modern and super hip pad; but you do have to pay to play. I can only treat myself to a piece or two once in a while.
I like the «Museums & Places of Interest» and «Restaurants & Specialty Shops» on their site:
. I’d check their site for recs for cities of travel…