Daily Candy: Back to School for Grown-Ups.

Today's Daily Candy post featured our Celine Desk, which they described as "a graceful, midcentury-inspired reminder that the best part of working from home is decorating your home office." Very sweet.

Hamptons Cottages and Gardens (oh my).

In this month's HC&G magazine, landscape designer Joseph Cornetta describes his latest project that, when he first saw it, resembled "Grey Gardens gone bad -- only worse." It took three months to create the architectural garden he desired, resulting in a stylish, verdant escape that includes a boxwood topiary garden, a fountain made from an 18th-century Chinese pot and the Rusa Outdoor Collection from DWR. Adding to the fun, he also added a plunge pool. Happy summer.

They've arrived! System 1-2-3 Lounge Chairs by Verner Panton.

"I want to design furniture that grows up out of the floor," said Verner Panton. "To turn the furniture into something organic. Which never has four legs." Pushing materials to their limits was a passion of this Danish architect and designer, who always approached design challenges in unconventional ways. Learn more about Panton's System 1-2-3 Lounge Chair. The Teal and Grey/White versions are in stock and ready to ship. It's also on sale during our Upholstery & Rug Sale (Floor & Table Lamps, Too!).

Four-piece set now only $89.

Our handcrafted Variopinte enameled-steel dinnerware comes in fun colors, is dishwasher safe and durable enough for outdoor use. Made in France, this four-piece set includes a bowl, large plate, dinner plate and salad plate. Enjoy this special price during The Yard Sale.

Save 50% on the Bardolino Collection.

The indoor/outdoor Bardolino Collection has lines that echo the forms of classic mid-century European furniture, but its materials are squarely in the new millennium. The collection includes pieces for both dining and lounging, with the latter being compactly scaled for a small outdoor space. Save 50% during The Yard Sale. Quantities are limited.

Brown Jordan 2012 preview in NYC.

Left to right: Ben Gaffney, DWR; Stephen Elton, VP of Sales and Marketing, Brown Jordan; Gene Moriarty, President and CEO of Brown Jordan; Frank Taff, Senior VP of Operations, Brown Jordan.

"We don't manufacture outdoor furniture," says Stephen Elton of Brown Jordan. "We create outdoor art that you can sit on." DWR caught up with Elton and other Brown Jordan folks last night at the Highline Terrace at the Standard Hotel. The event was to give companies like DWR a sneak peek at upcoming collections by Richard Frinier for Brown Jordan. We can't share any specifics, but we will say that we can't wait to share these with you next year.  

“The most comfortable, stackable chairs you’ll ever find in your life.”

Take a tour through Untitled, the restaurant recently opened by Danny Meyer and David Rockwell at the Whitney Museum. Not only do they describe the concept behind the space, but also the reason for choosing the Gas Chair by Jesus Gasca for Stua.

 

111 Navy Chair®: Annie Choi.

Annie Choi is just one of the 111 architects, designers and other industry professionals we asked to comment on the 111 Navy Chair. Choi is the author of Happy Birthday or Whatever (HarperCollins). Her work has appeared in Abitare, Pidgin, Publisher’s Weekly and Women’s Health, among others, and her open letters about design and chairs can be found on Emeco’s website. Keep up with her adventures (late night cravings) on her blog at annietown.com.

To meet more of the 111 participants visit the 111 Chairs Project.

The 111 Navy Chair®: Zach Frechette.

 

We asked 111 architects, designers and other industry professionals their thoughts about the 111 Navy Chair. Zach Frechette, the editor in chief of the award-winning GOOD magazine was one of them. GOOD is a collaboration of individuals, businesses and nonprofits driving change in the world, and Zach recently led the transition of GOOD from an editorially led magazine to a community-based web platform at the intersection of creativity and impact. Keep up with his good doing at twitter.com/ztf.

Meet more of the 111 participants at the 111 Chairs Project.

 

The 111 Navy Chair®: Eric Bricker

Wondering what 111 people have to say about the 111 Navy Chair? Check out the responses we’ve received from architects, designers and other industry professionals, like filmmaker Eric Bricker, who just made his directorial debut with Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman,

T Design "Get": the Perforated Marais A Chair by Tolix.

We were excited to see that the New York Times' T Design spring issue includes the Plum Perforated Marais A Chair by Tolix in its "Get" list.

Family secret.

                   
 
Imagine designing the quintessential café chair that’s been in production since 1934, but without one crucial skill: the ability to draw. “Dad didn’t draw,” recalls Henriette, the daughter of Xavier Pauchard. Instead, the designer “drafted” his prototypes by working with the material with which he was most comfortable: steel. Learn more about the Marais Chair designed by Xavier Pauchard and produced by Tolix in France.

Be careful when you dust behind the sofa.

According to the BBC, a woman in Brazil found an alligator hiding behind her sofa. The report says she was "alerted to the reptile's presence by her three-year-old son, who was petting the reptile's head." One has to wonder, was it a crocodile leather sofa? Shown: Croco Loco Grande by Edelman Leather.

Sneak peek at March catalog.

We’re so excited about our March outdoor catalog that we’re giving you a sneak peek online. Inside you’ll find the largest launch of new DWR collections for outdoor living, including the new Ollie Collection (shown above), a DWR Exclusive.

New York Times: Objects for Minimalists.

In today’s paper, architects Brian Messana and Toby O’Rorke share their favorite pieces of furniture to use in projects. One of which is our Tractor Stool by BassamFellows. “We use this in all of our projects,” Mr. Messana said. “I love that the shape is based on a tractor seat, and that it’s solid wood,” he said. “There’s no fuss about it.”

DWR seating is on the menu.

The new Van Horn Sandwich Shop in Brooklyn has been receiving rave reviews for its food, drinks and (most importantly, in our opinion) its decor. Furnished by Design Within Reach, the Cobble Hill eatery has Salt Chairs and Era Barstools to relax in as you enjoy their Southern-inspired sandwiches. If you go, be sure to send us a comment with your review of Salt and Era seating (and let me know if they mix a mean Side Car).

Because designers have wrestled with sleep, you don't have to.

"I have never slept so well. I love my mattress so much, I have a difficult time getting to work on time." -Elizabeth Hart.
Learn more about the Sonno Mattress, or check it out for yourself at a DWR Studio. The Sonno is included in our Bedroom and Mattress Sale.

Cat-shaped sofa seeks mouse-shaped coffee table.

Wow. I just never know what I'll find in my inbox each morning. What do you think, should we bring it into our assortment?

A fetching chair that knows how to sit and stay.

The enduring success of Michael Thonet’s café chair (in production for 151 years) is proof that there will always be a demand for simple, well-made furniture. The fact that more than 50 million sold between 1859 and 1930 should have been enough to tell these guys that this chair knows how to jump through hoops.

Our August catalog is in the mail.

 
The issue showcases the launch of Finn Juhl and Serge Mouille, as well as an expanded assortment from Cassina and our new Simpatico Sofa.

The New York Times just featured the Poet Sofa by Finn Juhl and our Upholstery and Rug Sale at: http://nyti.ms/aadLec

You can browse the August e-Catalog online, or sign up to receive our catalogs here.