Get inspired by summer.
Summer plans?
Maybe your vacation plans have shifted a bit, but that doesn’t mean you can’t savor every moment of summer right at home. Relish in all of summer’s bounty – its warmth, the sunshine, the fresh air – by blurring the lines between indoors and out. Explore new ways to dine and relax outside, and for those of you (who, me?) who are all work and no play, carve out a space in the sun for video calls and getting things done. Now’s the time to invite a little bit of the outside in.
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CALIFORNIA PLAYHOUSE
Tour our favorite summer homes
ONE
TWO
THIS IS ONE
THIS IS TWO
Welcome
Lorium Ipsum Story
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CREATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
NEW PERSPECTIVE
Creating a playhouse
Outdoor Sale
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What does Sommer feel like?
“I was intrigued by the idea of bringing the look of paper-cord weaving, often found on Danish indoor furniture, to the outdoors, but in a weather-safe material,” says designer Chris Halstrøm. Learn how that idea turned into the beautiful, wonderfully tactile Sommer Collection for Design Within Reach.
Chris Halstrøm
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Let the fun shine in.
Outdoor SALE MAY 21–JUNE 9
Designed by Jens Risom, produced by Design Within Reach
Block Island Collection
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Designed by Matthew Hilton for Case
Eos Collection
Designed by Dougan Clarke
Tuuci Collection
®
Designed by Studio Tolvanen for Design Within Reach
Terassi Collection
Designed by Chris Liljenberg Halstrøm for Design Within Reach
Sommer Collection
Designed by Norm Architects for Design Within Reach
Finn Collection
EAZY BEAN EVEREST CHAIR $695
T.710 OUTDOOR SMALL SIDE TABLE $245
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Three times the citrus fun, this grafted tree produces oranges, lemons and limes. At right is Surf Shacks, which Matt wrote for Indoek. Inside this inspiring book are photos (mostly taken by Matt) and stories about the cottages, vans and hideaways that the creative surf community call home.
The chair for everyone, Cosm (2018) is the work of Studio 7.5, the Berlin-based design team that believes strongly in freedom of movement. No matter who sat in this chair before you, Cosm welcomes you by instantly and intuitively responding to your size, movements and posture to provide natural balance and total support. The result is a chair that allows you to sit down, get to work and forget about gravity. “We’ve reduced the complexity of the sitting machine,” says designer Carola Zwick. “It was our goal to make sitting as simple and pleasurable as possible.” Made in U.S.A.
Cosm Chair
™
Designed by Studio 7.5 for Herman Miller
No matter who sat in this chair before you, Cosm welcomes you by instantly and intuitively responding to your size, movements and posture to provide natural balance and total support.
COSM CHAIR $895–$1745 USD (Available in three sizes – see dimensions at dwr.com.)
Eames® Soft Pad Collection (1969)
Designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller®
This luxuriously padded chair arose from the Eames Aluminum Group Collection, which began as a project for Eero Saarinen and Alexander Girard. It successfully retains the sleek style of its older sibling and adds extra comfort.
MANAGEMENT CHAIR $2575–$3525 USD EXECUTIVE CHAIR $3295–$3845 USD
Eames Soft Pad Collection (1969)
Designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller
Found in the permanent collection of MoMA, Aeron is the paradigm of ergonomic seating, conceived to conform not only to different body shapes but also to movement, with multiple adjustment points for a fully customizable fit.
$1395–$1765 USD (Available in three sizes – see dimensions at dwr.com.)
Aeron Chair (2016)
Designed by Don Chadwick and Bill Stumpf for Herman Miller
Departing from traditional solid shell seating to construct this chair, the Eameses started with a lightweight die-cast aluminum frame, then wrapped it in a sling – a “sitting pocket” that subtly conforms to the body’s shape.
Eames Aluminum Group Collection (1958)
For a job well done
GAS TASK CHAIR $1095
TYPE 75™ TASK LAMP $245–$260
Designers Chen-Yen Wei and Hung-Ming Chen of Afteroom brought a new twist to book storage by creating the Story Bookcase (2017), a tower that accommodates texts in a vertical stack with an ultra-compact footprint. Intermix planter bowls (as shown) with shelves to create your own literary garden.
Story Collection DWR Exclusive BOOKCASe H 62.5" OR 75.5" W 15.75" D 15.75" $295–$345 USD PLANTER BOWL H 5.5" W 6.75" D 8.75" $35 USD
Story Collection
Heath tiles used in the kitchen are Half Hex Stack in M96 Storm.
Artwork: Nick LaVecchia
Under the floating stairs is a desk made from a slab of cedar that Sam found at a local lumberyard. “I left the live edge exposed and let it waterfall to the floor,” he says. “And because the desk also serves as one of the steps, there’s a nice interaction between the cedar and steel forms.” The whitewashed cedar interior was inspired by a cabin in the Hamptons where Matt and Courtney spent long weekends with friends. “It’s aesthetically beautiful and has this wonderful scent that reminds us of that cabin,” Courtney says. “Matt basically fell in love with whitewashed cedar and was determined to coat the entire interior in it.” For the exterior, they used painted stucco and oiled ipe, and they designed all the rooms to have direct access to outdoor spaces. “When we’re out here, separated from the main house, we feel like we’re in another world,” Matt says. When asked about the challenges of designing a house together, all three say they’d do it again. “It was a true passion project, and we were lucky in that we shared the same vision,” Sam says. “Courtney and Matt have an eye for design, so I let them take the lead on fixtures and finishes. We had our challenging moments, but the end result – and our relationship – is better because of the process.”
ELEMENTAIRE CHAIR $95 USD
SEMI PENDANT $345–$1275
CHILEWICH ROUND BOUCLÉ FLOOR MAT $610
ANALOG CLOCK $95
EAMES® ROUND SEGMENTED TABLE $1395–$1795 USD
EDWARD WOHL CUTTING BOARD $120–$172
Sam was a recent SCAD graduate when Matt and Courtney handed him a sketch of what they’d like to build. “From there, Sam kind of went nuts designing it,” says Matt, who also attended SCAD before co-founding ITAL/C design studio. Their process, which Matt describes as “kind of ragtag,” was to figure things out as they went. “We were all sketching and sharing ideas,” Courtney says. “For the floating stairs, I pulled photos from online, and then Sam engineered the whole thing. He taught himself how to weld steel for this project.” Having a railing, however, was not the original plan. “I didn’t want one, but they talked me into it,” she says. “This was before I had children.”
California playhouse.
When graphic designer Matt Titone and advertising executive Courtney Husk decided to build a “backyard studio fort” behind their home in Venice, California, they knew there was only one architect who could get it right: Matt’s brother Sam Titone.
Setting the stage
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Mike D'S HOUSE
Scroll to read more about Mik D's Home
Line Storage Bed (2019)
Designed by Nathan Yong for Design Within Reach DWR Exclusive
Using strong horizontal lines to reflect natural landscapes, there’s a restfulness to this piece, making it especially well-suited for the bedroom. It includes two large storage drawers that open discreetly from its footboard.
H 36" PLATFORM H 15.25" $4495–$5495 USD
Make a date with great sleep.
TYPE 75™ SCONCE $160–$170
Hans Wegner was trained as a cabinetmaker before studying to be an architect and going on to work for Carl Hansen & Søn. His sculptural Wishbone Chair (1949) is challenging to produce, requiring more than 100 steps – most of which are carried out by hand – that necessitate perfect craftsmanship and intimate knowledge of joinery.
Wishbone Chair H 29.5" W 21.75" D 20" SEAT H 17.75" $595–$1205 USD
Wishbone Chair
The front door is painted bright yellow, a Barbara Bestor signature.
In this new, bright and open space, she created a large great room that’s seamlessly connected to the terrace and lawn. “I always want to feel like I’m outside even when I’m inside the house,” Mike says. “As my kids have grown up and developed their own passions, they have space that reflects and allows for all of it. The great room is our nucleus. It’s where we spend time together."
REVOLVER COUNTER STOOL $245
When Mike D. and his wife Tamra purchased this Malibu property for their growing family in 2005, it held several ramshackle, loosely connected structures, all in need of repair. “We met with several architects who wanted to tear everything down and start from scratch, without any preexisting constraints,” he says. “But there was a really good vibe here, and the existing layout had potential, even if it did need a lot of love and a gut renovation.”That’s when Mike turned to his friend Barbara Bestor, who’s an architect and a fellow parent. “She really understood our lifestyle and was able to see what was working, what wasn’t, and then build from there,” he says. For the main house, which had several small rooms and no logical connections to the outside, Barbara’s solution was to increase the height of the common area in the center of house and invert the gabled roof into a butterfly shape that brings in fresh air and natural light.
Creative arrangements.
How a compound and former boys camp was transformed into a welcoming and friendly family home for musician Mike Diamond.
Hover to see this living space come to life.
Designed by Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn
The redesign of the outbuildings, which include a guest cottage and a music studio, posed an ever greater challenge than the house because of the wide variety of styles and ages. Barbara’s goal was to create a unified aesthetic and logical connection from one structure to the next, which she achieved by making each one entirely focused on the indoor-outdoor experience. She added skylights and clerestory windows to maximize the natural light, as well as board-and-batten walls inside and out to give the compound a beachy vibe. “Our proximity to the beach was the major attraction to this property,” Mike says. “We really wanted a house that by design suits how we live. Where we can come up from the beach with surfboards, rinse off and come inside without having to worry about ruining something. We couldn’t afford to be super precious but we didn’t want super precious either.”
Cove Bed (2017)
Durable yet elegant, Cove features details such as rounded edges on the side rails, footboard and headboard and turned, tapered bedposts with subtly cupped tops. “I wanted to create a bed that’s sturdy but not clunky,” says Yong.
H 36" PLATFORM H 15" $1595–$2495 USD
Parallel Bed (2013)
Designed by Bernett, Dodziuk and Woronkowicz for Design Within Reach DWR Exclusive
Bernett was being a bit cheeky with the name of this bed given that it features a headboard shaped more like a trapezoid, but we think the name still fits because this is indeed a piece without parallel when it comes to choices.
H 38.5" PLATFORM H 13" $2995–$7895 USD
Min Bed with Headboard (2003)
Designed by Luciano Bertoncini DWR Exclusive
Min goes to the max with quality and comfort. It’s beautifully constructed with rounded corners for a clean aesthetic, slatted platform for mattress ventilation and wood headboard available with or without fabric upholstery.
Min Bed with Headboard $1495–$2295
HUNT HOUSE
Scroll to read more about Hunt House
SHOP ALL ACCESSORIES
Dot Pillow
Megadot Blanket
Knot Pillow
Star Blanket
Dioniso Throw
Icelandic Sheepskin Throw
DWR Linen Sheet Set
Kite Quilt
Mikkel Throw
DWR REVERSIBLE COVERLET
RAAWII STRØM YELLOW BOWL $68–$118
RANDOM PENDANT $695–$2295
VITRA CORK STOOL $505
Eames® Lounge Chair $5,295-$7,795
COLOR BLOCK THROW $360
LINE STORAGE BED $4495–$5495
ICELANDIC SHEEPSKIN THROW $195–$450
Add playful layers
How can furniture improve the world?
Based in Minnesota, Loll creates durable all-weather furniture made from recycled plastic. Since the company’s founding, this passionate team has kept more than 100 million jugs out of landfills. “These are fun, high quality products proudly crafted in the U.S.A.,” says Loll founder Greg Benson.
Inspiring design.
SHOP Loll DESIGNS
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Enriching joy
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Jonas Sectional with Chaise (2016)
Designed by Jonas Wagell for Design Within Reach DWR Exclusive
With this sofa, Wagell sought to create a piece that could be enjoyed daily – “a hub in the house that people would gather round to socialize and talk.” To that end, he specified plush cushions, gently arched arms and slender legs.
H 31.75" W 111.75" D 61.5" SEAT H 17.5" $5195–$6995 USD
Find sofa bliss.
EAMES® LOUNGE CHAIR AND OTTOMAN $5295–$7795 USD
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
SAARINEN TULIP™ CHAIR $1666–$2083
“We were visiting friends and decided to go for a walk” says designer Diane Bald, “I had just said to my husband Michael, ‘Maybe we should look for a little beach house to rent around here,’ when we see this guy putting a sign out. It was 10 o’clock on a Sunday morning, and the sign says ‘For Rent, Ellwood,’ and I’m thinking, that can’t mean Craig Ellwood, can it? So we go in for a look, and the entire time I’m walking behind Michael saying, ‘I love this house, I have to have this house.’” Twelve years and many mini-dramas later, Diane and Michael Budman have just completed a top-to-bottom restoration of the 1957 house designed by Craig Ellwood, Jerrold Lomax and Jim Tyler for Victor and Elizabeth Hunt. For the first five years, Diane and Michael rented the house from the former caretaker, who’d been left the property by Mrs. Hunt. But in 2016, the man vanished and sold the house to a developer. The new owner planned to raze the house but agreed to let Diane and Michael continue renting while he pursued building permits. After three years of frustration, the developer gave up. “One day he came to us and said, ‘You should own this house. You’re the rightful owners. You’re going to take care of it and restore it,’” Diane says.
Preserving perspective.
How a small sign that said “For Rent, Ellwood,” and the dedication of a design-savvy couple helped save a modern masterpiece in Malibu.
“Every Roots store is different, designed to fit into the fabric of a neighborhood,” Diane says. “A lot of architects want to leave their mark, but Michael and I are more interested in how the original architect would like to see the work evolve.” To lead the year-long historical restoration – which involved taking the house completely apart and putting it back together – the couple brought in Jim Tyler, from Ellwood’s office, and architectural designer Barton Jahncke. “We were able to reuse 95 percent of what was here, from cover plates to paneling to hinges,” Barton says. “And if we couldn’t reuse it, we readapted it for something else.” “Every time I walk into this house, I get goosebumps,” Diane says. “It literally still takes my breath away every time I come through the door.” In June 2019, the Hunt House was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Tuck Sleeper Sofa (2013)
Designed by Thomas Müller and Jörg Wulff DWR Exclusive
Tuck serves as a comfortable sofa, satisfying bed and even as a group chaise thanks to its ability to be extended to a size in between sofa and bed. It’s fitted with narrow armrests to maximize the sitting and sleeping area.
H 29" W 85" D 39" (53.5" OPEN) SEAT H 15.75" $2995–$3695 USD
Outline Sectional with Chaise (2016)
Designed by Anderssen & Voll for Muuto DWR Exclusive
Outline takes its cues from modern architecture in how its elegant, boxy form is supported by slim pillars. Visually light with narrow but perfectly cushioned arms and backsto maximize the seating area, it’s crafted for comfort.
H 27.5" W 103.25" D 56" SEAT H 16.25" $6795–$9995 USD
Theatre Sofa (2001)
Designed by Ted Boerner for Design Within Reach DWR Exclusive
Designed to accommodate the human body with studied proportions and simple geometry, Theatre provides comfort that stems from its form rather than excessive stuffing, with a gently angled backrest, full seats and high armrests.
H 30" W 80" D 30.5" SEAT H 19" $2995–$5995 USD
BERTOIA COUNTER STOOL $1225
PH5 PENDANT $996–$1241
Why Eos is easy to love
Comfortable and lightweight, Eos makes it easy to find your spot in the sun or escape to the shade. The collection includes a sleek chaise with comfortable sling-seat and two discreet wheels for easy repositioning.
Chase the sun
SHOP EOS COLLECTION
“The purpose of architecture is to enrich the joy and drama of living.”
– Craig Ellwood
Above: This 1958 photo shows the original shag carpet. Today the floors are covered with cork. Right: This Eames® Lounge Chair and Ottoman is original to the house.
Craig Ellwood wasn’t trained as an architect, but he knew what clients wanted. He founded his design firm in 1951 and soon had a reputation for delivering California modern homes at affordable prices. To realize his vision, Ellwood partnered with architects Robert Theron and Pete Peters, in addition to Lomax and Tyler. Their simple, elegant homes were featured in magazine more than 50 times, and in 1954, named Ellwood one of “four most promising young architects,” along with John Johansen, Mark Mills and Paul Rudolph. “He wasn’t an architect, which I like,” Diane says, “because I’m an architect but I never got my stamp.” While studying at SCI-Arc, Diane met Michael, who invited her to Paris, where he was opening stores for Roots, the outdoor lifestyle brand he co-founded. He introduced Diane to architect Andrée Putnam, who hired her to work on Yves St. Laurent stores and the Morgans New York hotel. Diane then went to work with Michael at Roots, where she designed more than 250 stores worldwide.
Archival photos from 1958 show the bunk beds and vanity designed for the house by Craig Ellwood. The vanity still has the original Formica® countertop in willow grey. The jalousie windows were remade by the same company that made the originals.
© Marvin Rand Archive
Risom Lounge Chair (1943)
Designed by Jens Risom for Knoll®
Originally constructed with surplus parachute straps, this chair made the best of the few materials available during WWII. Today, it’s made with heavy-duty cotton straps tightly basket-woven across its hardwood frame.
H 30.25" W 20" D 27.5" SEAT H 16" $1109–$1164 USD
About A Lounge 82 Chair and Ottoman (2009)
Designed by Hee Welling for HAY
One of the bestselling chairs in Scandinavia, About A Lounge began with a desire to tell a story about a lounge, hence its name. With its gently curved, comfortable seat and solid oak legs, it’s a beautifully utilitarian form.
CHAIR H 32" W 30" D 28.75" SEAT H 14.25" OTTOMAN H 12.75" W 26" D 19.75" $1540–$2540 USD
Lína Swivel Chair (2018)
Designed by Hlynur Atlason for Design Within Reach DWR Exclusive
Set on a smooth-as-silk swivel base, Lína is clean yet complex, without a single straight line. “It’s a sculpted shape that one can enjoy examining,” Atlason says. “Lína embraces you with all the softness on the inside.”
H 28.25" W 30" D 31.5" SEAT H 16.5" $1995–$2995 USD
Noomi Swivel Chair (2013)
Designed by Susanne Grønlund for Softline
Of course you want to sit comfortably, but you may also want to turn and speak to the person next to you or turn away from a distraction for a bit of privacy. Noomi is the solution, with its smooth-moving 360-degree swivel base.
H 35.5" W 33" D 28" SEAT H 17.75" $1595–$2495 USD
Best seat in the house.
ABetween the master bedroom and living room is an open-air courtyard, shown in 1958 above, present day at left. “There’s something very Japanese about this house,” Says Diane. “It’s very Zen.”
SAARINEN ROUND DINING TABLE $2221–$9136
The deck in 1958.
Shop Eos Collection
MIDCENTURY SUNSHADE $999
Taken in 1958, this photo shows the house shortly after completion.
WATER DROP JUG $450–$1800
CUP PLANTER $150–$395
BARCELONA® CHAIR $6479
EAMES® MOLDED SHELL CHAIR $595
Harper’s Bazaar
Between the master bedroom and living room is an open-air courtyard. “There’s something very Japanese about this house,” says Diane. “It’s very Zen.”
Arts & Architecture
Staycation time.
Summer plans? Just relax.
Maybe your vacation is now a staycation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get away. Step outside and discover a relaxing retreat just outside your door. Explore new ways to dine and relax outside, and for those of you (who me?) who are all work and no play, carve out a space in the sun for video calls and getting things done. A staycation can also be a great time to get organized, rearrange interior rooms, purge closets – will we ever wear suits again? – and try new recipes. It’s also fine to use this time to do absolutely nothing. Just enjoy. Here's how one Southern California family is rethinking their interior and exterior spaces.
