When emerging designers submitted hundreds of furniture pieces to Thursday's Modern Design Function exhibition at San Francisco's Design With Reach, judges from Dwell Magazine and the SF Museum of Modern Art selected not one but three pieces from local applicant Dylan Gold. Gold used plywoods, plyboo and other responsible materials to create Stink Tree, the Cornered Table and Twisted. The latter is a reaction to Gold's observation of how regimented people can be. “I like things that fall out of line and definitely buck the trend a little bit, but not so far as to lose balance,” he said. “I wanted to see something hard like wood used in a way that people were not used to seeing it, like crossing a plane into the spatial boundaries of another piece.”

The 2,200 square feet of work space that Gold shares with seven other creators is blocks away from the Potrero Hill DWR where the showcase will take place. (Talk about knowing where your purchases originate.) The wood and metalworking shop is also a network for the tenants' artist and fabricator friends “where just about anything can be made,” the designer says.

I always wondered during my travels to Europe if an expensive line of trashcans from Denmark would gain traction in design and shelter magazine-obsessed America. When I saw the line was picked up by Water Works and DWR (not to mention a few others), I realized that Vipp’s time had come, despite recessionary times. Even artist Dominic Wilcox took a shine to them. What makes this line even more intriguing is Vipp’s noteworthy annual limited-edition artist series, including amazing takedowns from Bono, Helena Christensen, Todd Oldham, Sir Terence Conran, Ron Arad and Christian Lacroix. Taking that momentum one step further is Vipp’s colorful Spring ‘09 celebration of NYC: The Yellow Cab Series. If you have a penchant for colors that pop in your kitchen or bathroom, as well as a desire for mechanical and design detail in everything in your home, then head over to a Vipp dealer to test drive this latest rendition. Death-defying speeds on 7th Avenue during rush hour not included.

Design Within Reach may still not quite be within your monetary reach, but at least now they’re helping us to lend a hand. For the third year in a row, DWR — with the help of both its Denver and Seattle officers — are hosting the Design the Modern Board competition alongside K2 Snowboarding. Submit a graphic design by March 6th and you’ll have the chance to have your image take to the slopes. Voting will take place at the DWR Denver studio on March 27th. Proceeds from the boards will benefit the Snowboard Outreach Society that helps youth build self-esteem through outdoor activities.

If moose had a say in this current presidential election, we think they’d vote for the candidate whose running mate didn’t spend a fair amount of their time gunning them down. Unfortunately, the species is not included involved in the democratic process, and thus have precious few votes to turn the tide in their favor. Luckily, Rob Forbes is giving them a chance to make a statement by selling their antlers to raise money through Moose for Obama. The DWR founder is collecting these extremely beautiful and durable artifacts, shed naturally, and giving all proceeds to the Obama campaign. Now buy some antlers, and rock the vote.

When I think of the small businesses I’d open up, I keep them limited to the realm of practicality. I’m talking clothing boutique, small restaurant, etc. When I hear about someone who starts their own car, shoe, or watch company, I am intrigued. Over the years, my interest in watches has progressively increased while my counterparts ditched them for cell phones. I think of the timepieces as work of art, both aesthetically and mechanically. It’s only fitting that a watchmaker would be considered an artist.

Dion McAsey started Magrette Timepieces while he was still a Managing Director of a creative agency. Surprisingly, he says it was an easy transition because he took it slow, learning along the way. He’s formed partnerships on a global scale, using straps from Canada, hands/dials from Germany, and a Japanese movement. Everything gets assembled by hand in New Zealand and tested (water and regulation).

Last year’s release, the Regattare Valencia, sports a 21-jewel Miyota movement, 2mm sapphire glass, a beautiful dial and luminescent hands, and two leather straps to match any occasion. Like all the Magrette watches it’s nautically themed, with this particular model displaying the America’s Cup colors. What impresses me most about Magrette is that you are buying a total package. Customer service, the packaging (you have got to see the leather roll case), and the extras (straps, tool, handwritten warranty card) make for a very pleasing experience. If you’re looking for a dependable watch that can work at both the office and a the post-work bar, check them out.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, this watch looks strikingly similar to the historic Panerai, one of my favorite timepieces. It is, however, significantly cheaper for those of you without rich girlfriends, good jobs, or a taste in extraordinary time keeping. Thanks for all the comments, we love them.]

DWR's Denver studio wants you…to participate in the 2nd Annual Design The Modern Board Competition. The contest sponsored by K2 Snowboards and benefiting the Snowboard Outreach Society is asking established and aspiring graphic designers throughout Colorado to throw their proverbial hats or graphics for a modern snowboard design in the ring. Participants must make their intent to submit known by February 28th, and all submissions are due by March 26th. Final judgment takes place the following day. The contest winner will receive a K2 Snowboard graced with their creation, while the 1st and 2nd runners up will get a trophy in the form of a top sheet of his/her winning graphic. Now if that don't beat all, then we don't know what does.

You may have heard the name Evan Hecox pop up on this site once or twice. Frankly we’ve always known the guy makes a killer skateboard graphic for Chocolate, but he’s come into his own as an artist. Hecox’s new book, Urban Abstract, showcases his way with familiar ethnic cityscapes (from the Barrio to Chinatown) touched off by bright, solid colors. 162 pages are faithfully reproduced linoleum block prints, and thirty-two of the books are housed in a handmade, laser etched wood box as a limited-edition offering. If you’re in the Dallas area next Friday, February 29th, head down to Design Within Reach and pick up a copy for yourself.

Designer Sean Yoo’s Opus Shelving recently made its way to the open arms of Design Within Reach, where its indoor/outdoor flexibility and lightweight building materials are making the piece’s sexy sensibility even more desirable. Inspired by ancient Roman wall-building techniques and similar structural elements found in nature, the Opus shelving system makes use of 100% recyclable polyproplene (the same material used in motorcycle helmets) to aid in stack-ability and durability. This combination make the Opus easily adaptable as a bookcase, a room divider, or anything else you might choose to create out of easy-to-move building blocks. I was thinking four of these assembled in the shape of a square could make a nice kid-pen (assuming the sections for books are filled in with cement), but that’s just one idea. Check it out here, then see if you can get out of there without buying anything else…

My first thought upon seeing the Eames hacks created by ID students from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia today was “OMG, sacrilege!” but then, after mulling it over, I was pretty amused. I mean, that high chair is totally hot (and would fit in with one’s set of Eames chairs purchased pre-breeding), and the toilet seat (although it may inspire lingering toilet-stays) is clean and dare I say, sophisticated. The project is “about breaking the status surrounding high design objects. Through physically invasive alterations, these once iconic, elite, forms are liberated from their old, restrained image. The project is not a critique of the Eames, but rather a fulfillment of their original ideals.” If you want to check them out for yourself, they’re at the Philadelphia Design Within Reach studio right now.

In case you hadn’t figured it out already, I’m a HUGE fan of mid-century furniture…and the newer stuff inspired by the masters. So, naturally, I got a little excited when I stumbled upon the Mute Chair by San Francisco design group Council. The Mute Chair immediately hearkens back to greats like Bertoia’s Bird Chair and Saarinen’s Womb Chair. I love the slightly smaller scale of the Mute Chair and the calming, organic lines that it presents.

According to Council, “The Mute chair is designed to inspire serenity and calm.” And somehow it does exactly that. In fact, I’d love nothing more than spending what promises to be a disgusting Friday curled up in one with a good book. Or maybe my computer — at least then I can pretend that I’m being productive.

Twenty-first century surreal art pusher Imaginary Foundation is adding to its mondo-successful line of tees with the debut of a new art prints line, which takes the inspiring, progressive-thinking images and messaging that drive its apparel offerings and puts them in a format more suitable for framing. Smart move, because I think nothing looks tackier than a framed shirt. The prints are set on museum-grade paper, and because they’re made in a limited run of 500, each one comes with all the works to prove its status as a bona fide collectible: a signed certificate of authenticity, handwritten edition number and special serialized holographic stamp from the Imaginary Foundation’s 70-something director, whose pop — for real — founded the Dadaist movement. Act fast.

Often compared to the venerable Eames duo, Lucienne and Robin Day are a pair of British designers — he does furniture, she does textiles — who were recently showcased in The New York Times. The feature draws attention to a piece, the Tricorne plywood tray, that’s immediately reminiscent of the Eames’ bent plywood designs such as their LCW Chair. Despite the obvious similarities, the Day’s work is far more obscure here in the US, a point that makes it pretty desirable in my book.

Robin Day is also responsible for designing the Polyprop Chair; while the name might not mean anything to you, it’s probably immediately recognizable as one of those chairs that grace classroom floors in schools around the world.

The Eames name has long been a defining point in the world of mod. So what happens when you take a classic mod piece and update it with an even more modern material? You get these carbon fiber Eames shell chairs from Garageworks Industries.

Available as a side chair, an arm chair, or a rocker, and in slightly varying weave colors, these renditions offer an interesting textural update to the modern classic shell chair; they’d look great in a minimal room with a lot of black or white. That said, I personally prefer the bright colors of the DWR Eames reproductions.

Via AT:LA

–Danny Nathan

Last Saturday, architect-designer Chris Deam made a stop in Boulder to give a presentation at our local Design Within Reach. Deam’s work for Airstream, an unlikely alliance that has been met with surprising enthusiasm and success, recently led to the production of a DWR/Deam special edition travel trailer.

The DWR Airstream (which accompanied Deam for the presentation) proved to be a beautiful model of past and modern aesthetics and sensibilities. Using the classic Airstream shell as an inspirational base, Deam outfitted the interior with a dreamy selection of materials, appliances, fabrics and electronics. Eco-friendly flooring, a Nelson Ball Clock, a Tom Dixon coat rack, and metal perforated laminate doors are only a few highlights of the long list of lustables included in the DWR Airstream, but the real success of the collaboration is derived from the flawless compatibility of the design elements in unison. My favorite aspect of the trailer was the interior exposed aluminum, a creative decision made by Deam so that the exterior would be reflected in the interior, bringing the outdoors indoors and thereby adding a constantly changing element to the Airstream’s design.

Deam and The Airstream are currently touring DWRs around the U.S. To see if Deam will be anywhere near you, check out this map.

Related: This Don’t Be Your Everyday Trailer Trash

As we all know, a good rug will pull any room together. An “alligator surfacing from swampy depths” rug, on the other hand, can give your cocktail party guests a good fright and make them think twice about tracking their dirty shoes all over your living room. (I’m with Johnny Drama on asking folks to take off their shoes when they come to my pad. Who knows where they’ve been walking? This explains why I rarely have more than a handful of people over, and never, ever, throw house parties. Those are for other people. Where was I…?) Then again, those of you who worry about one of those aforementioned guests tripping and taking a fatal header into the corner of your DWR coffee table may want to avoid the Dangerous Rug by designer William Warren. His quirky, humorous designs have been garnering acclaim since his graduation from London’s Royal College of Art. Warren’s website cites his focus on engaging design and lateral thinking as sources of inspiration for his thought-provoking designs. In addition to the ‘gator rug, Warren has recently produced some snazzy furniture and some trippy housewares, such as his off-center, tipsy wine glass — another sure-fire conversation starter.