all i can do is laugh.
http://www.dwr.com/product/furniture/living/ottomans-benches-stools/american-modern-dining-bench.do?sortby=ourPicks

DWR makes there own Nelson bench while still selling HM. making it "better"...by making it a little higher and available in other woods. DWR is a joke. You still think this is ok with Herman Miller Barry?

I will commend them on bringing back some FLW pieces, and a new Risom rocker...but that still doesnt condone the knock offs.

http://www.dwr.com/product/furniture/living/ottomans-benches...

you are right Lloyd. The...
you are right Lloyd. The sad fact is though, people will buy it. DWR made it because people requested it im sure. When I worked there everyone wanted the LCW in wenge lol...a chocolate stain if you will. I really hope HM never makes one.

wrong
reminds me of this:

How
I just received their latest catalog and noticed that glaring in my face. How DWR can attempt to sell a knock-off Nelson bench for practically the same price as the Herman Miller version boggles the mind.

They may be in trouble though since it is shown as not available on the web site.

I was just about to post a similar thread regarding the Risom pieces vs. the Nelson knock-offs. "DWR Design Studio" is full of paradoxes.

Ugh
I'm afraid my defense of DWR can only be half-hearted this time in that their description of it doesn't claim that it's actually a Nelson design, just that it's based on a Nelson design... okay screw it - it just sucks. I really like this company but boy are they making it difficult.

"American Modern Dining Bench
The American Modern Dining Bench (2009) is based on George Nelson?s iconic design for a Platform Bench that he created in 1946. Still true to Nelson?s straightforward design aesthetic, we?ve created this Bench out of walnut and beech (Nelson?s design is available only in maple). We?ve also raised the seat height to make this Bench a more practical solution for use with a dining table. In addition to dining, the American Modern Bench can be used in an entryway, in a living room and even as a coffee table. Available 8/6/09"

Um
Guys, realize, it's not about "design" anymore. DWR needs to turn a profit, stop the bleeding, and higher margin, lower priced alternatives may make sense for them.

DWR is basically in the mindset that their brand is strong enough to compete against the Herman Millers, etc of the world

At the end of the day, the...
At the end of the day, the people who know the difference between a real Nelson, Herman Miller bench and DWR's version are likely not the people doing the majority of the shopping at DWR.

So can they get away with it?

I think so....the only people who can possibly stop them is Herman Miller by exerting their muscle.

The average DWR consumer may actually even prefer the altered dimensions of the bench (I sure as hell don't) The lower price will undoubtedly drive sales as many folks will be just as happy to have a DWR product as they are to have the HM original. I guess, only time will tell.

I just assumed it was less...
I just assumed it was less expensive.....they truly are out of their minds over there.

Have to agree with that quote...
I've never purchased a piece of furniture from DWR. Back when I was too poor to afford design "WITHIN REACH", I lusted over their catalogs... back when they sold primarily authentic pieces.

When I eventually could afford the stuff, I ended up buying from circa50 and highbrow, since all the Herman Miller and Knoll pieces are standard pricing with free shipping.

And now I just buy vintage, or new stuff only at deep discounts.

Design within Budget
is called IKEA. Get over it already.

I've always found it funny that DWR gets to be the 'high price' punching bag. DWR's prices are perfectly in line with any other retailer... an Arco lamp costs the same anywhere. An Eames chair costs the same anywhere. An Emeco chair costs $415 if you buy it from Emeco, from Hive, or from DWR. Everyone knows that the 'Within Reach' is about having showrooms available to the public. Have you ever looked at Bo Concept? Ligne Roset? Roche Bobois? Montage?

Lunchbox asked me what's to like about DWR. I've bought a few things here and there, but the truth is I've become fairly good friends with an employee. He knows about design, he's nice, and to see everyone here revelling in his potential unemployment is a little sad for me.

No, I don't agree with their knock-offs, but I think they've done more to expose Modernism to average people than any mainstream retailer - despite Chewie's end-of-days histrionics.

Yes Woody, you are somewhat...
Yes Woody, you are somewhat correct. While they weren't licensed back when starting up, in 1998 when they started up, Rob Forbes idea was to make modern furniture available to the masses, immediately. At that time, to get pieces from Corbusier, Saarinen, Eames, etc it took months from order date to when the product was delivered, not to mention you had to know someone (an architect or interior designer) to even have access to order the product. So Rob wanted to make design "within reach" to all, and emphasize the instant gratification factor as originally all pieces were in stock and ready to ship. Brilliant idea, even if it wasn't all licensed, it took Rob some time to get all the original vendors on board as that was his intention. Ray Brunner has ruined the company, whatever you think it's not Rob's vision, and thats why Rob "left" several years ago. And yes, I was one of those nice account executives who knew lots about design and was always there to help, adding in my interior design experience. I disagreed with a lot of things DWR did while I was with the company, and since I've left it's gotten even worse.

First off
Chewie...please...for the sake of this discussion can you just please admit that you worked for the damn company? You know WAY too much information that is very obscure.

In terms of quality of the exposure - even if their salespeople are babbling incoherent idiots (I was in some of their NY stores) the average person can walk in and sit in an Egg Chair, or an Eames Chair. I learned more in 5 minutes of just looking at the Eames lounge than I had from months of reading about it. And occasionally you meet people who really KNOW what they're talking about. Like my friend.

And my friend doesn't care if I buy things or not. Mostly I've bought a few small Eames pieces, and some floor samples. Not a big spender by any means. It's near my building and we enjoy shooting the breeze about design - whether it's stuff they sell or not.

Lastly, I have no idea what Ray Brunner has done for the company for better or worse. If he's behind the copies I'm not a big fan...but then again it sounds like Roy Forbes was also a proponent of copied designs...so.. gotta call that one a draw.

THIS IS FUN.........


nope, sorry i have never worked for nor currently work for DWR, nor would i want to......

room and board deserves as much scorn for their knock-offs as well, but at least they don't position themselves as a "design" company.... lets face it they are more mom and pop watered down everyday furniture and throw in modern stuff to try to be relevant or for style points, but they make their money on inexpensive generic sofas etc....

time to come up with a new theory lucifer...........

i don't think......

i moved the focus back to DWR in that post, after re-reading the post i'm sure i didn't.

its nothing personal, i just think someone needs to stand up and state the truth.... DWR's behavior is much more hypocritical than room and board's.... as for the detailed financial info its all public information.

speaking of which, did you know that DWR was down to $400k cash in the bank in july ? thats pretty much bankrupt. they then sold themselves for $15 million.... less than the value of their inventory. if they didn't they would have had to close down. the question i have is, as a former shareholder.... what would happened to my shares ? how can you sell all shares in a company for 15 cents a share which would result in a loss for shareholders without having a vote ??

want to to know all the gory details ? just click on the link below......





http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=177796&p=irol-sec

As someone who was let go by...
As someone who was let go by the company when our studio was downsized from 5 to 3, I don't have a personal vendetta against DWR for being "wronged" in any sense. I want the company to succeed, its just sad to me that they are taking the path they are. I do agree with Chewy that I find Room and Board a little to blame in the whole misleading of licensed vs non licensed. As being friends with a R&B employee, their mission is to have a high quality product, regardless of the manufacturer. They happen to have Carl Hansen and Herman Miller, but their main intent is not to be the "source for all your licensed product needs" as DWR has claimed to be. The reason I have problems with DWR is because they have gained everyones trust in having "authentic" merchandise, and now they are selling knock offs, and their customers think they must be buying something authentic, when its just an imitation. Oh yeah, and I also think Chewy is a former employee...name starting with a J. am I right chewy?

touche'
good point lunchbox....... same with ferrari's, yet they are a lot fun, beautiful and well designed......

no one needs any of this.... its all a luxury, but if you are going to do something, do it well and do it purely..... thats my thing.

and no, i have never worked for dwr.

good grief !

they are really settling into this new level of irrelevant mediocrity.

nice.

Wow...what a match. Lets reca...
Wow...what a match. Lets recap todays event. In just under a minute, a flaming John "Dis Gruntled Ex Employee" Doe flees ring after first sucker punch. In mid stride, without looking back, flips bird to a slack jawed audience and burst out the door like a empowered prima donna with a new lease on life.


And, no I don't side with DWR, just really loathe cowards. I'd fire you unflinchingly.