The people behind (and in) the chairs.

Over the next few weeks we'll introduce you to some of the folks at Design Within Reach. In the "hot" seat this week is Ben, who’s in charge of choosing Outdoor products.

"When I came on board, I realized we had no classics in outdoor, which was weird. The Adirondack is the classic outdoor chair. This one by Loll is an awesome, all-weather, totally post-consumer material chair. It is so classic and so modern. You can leave it outside year after year and all you have to do is hose it off after the winter. I'm partial to the green one, and the guys at Loll are totally about being 'green' – they use recycled materials, their facility is all about the environment and, as I discovered recently, they also like green beer. I had a few Green Flash IPAs with these guys on a recent trip. They’re totally magnetic, very human guys. I wouldn’t be comfortable doing business with a designer or manufacturer who I don’t trust. These guys, and their Adirondack Chair, are the real deal."

- Ben G. DWR Outdoor Dept.

Comments

[Rick S]

It is fun to read about the DWR folks! I just bought the Adirondack chair and it is very cool!

[Ellen LaVeyra]

I want to make a pun about their "behinds" being in their chairs. I can't quite pull it together though. Probably for the best.

Great post, by the way. Always nice to hear from the people who make it happen!

[Darren]

Completely agree about DWR lacking classics in the outdoor department - definitely more "contemporary" than classic modern. It almost seems like a completely different store compared to the indoor furniture. As nice as they are, Adirondack Chairs and Luxembourg Loungers aren't exactly what comes to mind for me. Where are the classics from the 50s and 60s? Look for reissues of designs by Brown Jordan, Van Keppel & Green, and even lesser, more anonymous designs such as classic hoop chairs, etc.

[Mark Simmons]

Finally.

Glad to see this chair get some recognition as a classic.

Nice to see the folks behind the scenes at DWR.

[Ben G.]

Darren,

I appreciate your feedback. I am grateful for growing up in California, the epicenter for classic Mid-Century outdoor furniture. Companies like Brown Jordan and Van Keppel and Green were truly pioneers of that look. I guarantee you will love the direction of our Outdoor category.

Look out for our 2010 Outdoor launch!

Thanks again,

Ben

[Matilda A.]

I agree the Loll Adirondak chair is cool. The materials are truly amazing... Environmentally Sustainable perhaps... Economically Sustainable, debatable. When will we get to that happy place where something can have great design, be sustainable and affordable? Roll that into a ball an we'd really have something to talk about.