Dear Design Within Reach,
We have to talk, you and I. When I first heard of Design Within Reach (DWR), I was excited. I foolishly assumed that meant your prices were actually affordable. You know, that whole “within reach” part of your official name. Within whose reach? Because I am here to tell you that your furniture, no matter how cool it is, is not within most people’s reach. Who did your market research? Paris Hilton?
Don’t believe me? Let me elaborate:
I like this lamp:
The Artichoke Lamp is cool and fun, without overdoing it. However, I refuse to spend $7,000-$13,000 for a lamp. That’s some serious money and no one I know spends even a tenth that for lighting. Maybe 1% but that’s it. For that kind of money, I expect a lamp to be powered by the energy produced from fairy wings.
Instead, if I were so inclined to buy such a lamp — and I am, however, my husband most definitely is not — I would buy this one instead:
That’s the Knappa by Ikea and it’s only $24.99. It’s not identical to your lamp; however, I’m willing to sacrifice a little on this one. Actually, I prefer the look of the Ikea lamp over yours.
And check out the Venezia chair that you have listed in your SALE section:
It’s PLASTIC, so I assumed it wouldn’t cost too much money. It’s marked down to $150, so I was clearly a bit off in my thinking.
By contrast, Ikea sells the Urban chair for only $34.99:
Guess which one I would choose if I were in the market for an uncomfortable plastic chair?
It’s not just Ikea who is kicking your ass in the style-for-less department, so are other stores.
You sell this:
Normally this light fixture is $700, but right now you have it marked down to the low low price of $490. Are you people on crack?!? We’re talking about electrical wiring, a light bulb, and some shells. That’s it.
Luckily, World Market has this:
Normally only $19.99, right now it’s on sale for $15.99 AND they have it in other colors, such as pink and blue, which is important if one is at World Market with a seven year old girl and she is certain this lamp will change her life forever. (Alas, the seven year old’s life remains unchanged at this time.)
I’ve been thinking about getting an ottoman for the living room in Jenworld. Something simple, like a black leather cube.
You have this:
I am NOT spending $550 for something I’ll put my feet on.
Instead, I very likely will buy this instead:
That’s from Tar-zhay and it’s only $49.99. I don’t care if it’s faux leather, because frankly I’d rather not feel guilty for killing cows in my quest for cheap chic.
I will admit Design Not-Within Reach that you do carry some amazing items, including all the great mid-century style icons. For example, this:
When I bought this — and I debated this purchase for months — I checked your website for information and a price comparison. And I ultimately did buy My Precious. That said, I most certainly did not spend the $3,000 you were asking. Oh no, my friends, I did not. Instead, I went somewhere else. Another website where I can find pretty much anything you sell, but for much much less.
eBay.
Yep, that’s right. I am not ashamed to admit that I bargain hunt for my style, as do most people. And I am a huge fan of “Buy It Now” auctions.
In conclusion, I can only say that you, Design Not-So-Much-Within Reach, are falsely named. I suggest you change to something more honest, such as Design Within The Reach Of The Upper Class But Not The Rest Of You Little People.
Sayonara. I’m off to hit the sales at Pier 1.
XO,
Jen
Personally, I much prefer the light from World Market over Design Within Reach. And I can totally undersatnd how a certain 7 yr old thought her life would be better for having it
These Design places are really only good for ideas. Seriously, $7K for a LAMP!!!! Someone better come with it to dust it for that price.
Nothing can replace the feeling of getting a real bargain.
A warning re: the ottoman from Target: I bought the same exact one (two of them, actually) a couple of weeks ago and had to return them because they smelled terrible. I didn’t notice it in the store, but once I was in the car driving home it was pretty strong. I thought the odor would dissipate once they were in the house, but I came home from work the next day and my whole apartment smelled like whatever chemical they used to treat the faux leather. (Or fleather as I like to call it.) Anyway, I returned them this weekend and of course Target is great about stuff like that, so no biggee, but just a warning in case you notice a funky, chemically smell – it doesn’t go away! It’s a shame too, because they looked cool in my living room. Hopefully it was just an isolated thing and yours won’t have that problem.
That first light fixture looks like someone threw a stack of window blinds into the chopper and waited to see what came out. Target RULES! And so does Mervyn’s for window treatments because they are almost always either half off or BOGO free. And their bedding is often half price as well. I redecorated my son’s room a couple years ago when he was on vacation, all new bedding and window treatments including a really cool curtain rod for tabtop curtains, for under $200. And at the time I got a free curtain rod for Mermaid’s room as well.
You are brilliant. And so is this post.
That orange chair? Beyond Fugly.
LOVE IKEA.
I actually like both DWR lamps better, but not THAT MUCH better!
I have no opinion about plastic chairs. I don’t even want them in my yard. Wood, please.
We have 2 leather chairs with an ottoman from DWR and the damn stitching on the ottoman is already loose… we’ve only had them for 18 months!
That being said? Great post!
Great post. Never heard of DWR, probably a good thing.
Ummmm within who’s reach? (Or whom’s?) Anyway, I cringe when I look at Pottery Barn prices, so this is just shocking. In a country where we’re up to our eyebrows in debt and have no savings… You’re funny, BTW.
Sorry – I adore the artichoke lamp (but certainly not the price).
But what about putting air miles and whether the cheap stuff is made in China into the equation?
Apparently 20 % of flat pack furniture from IKEA gets immediately sold on EBAY – what’s that about?
My wish list light fitting is the Zettelz 5 – I think you will love it!
http://www.londonlighting.co.uk/product/zettelz_5/
You know that lamp in the second photo? The IKEA lamp? Well, look at my post on March 26, 2008, the picture of us all sitting at the table staring at our laptops? There’s that lamp.
I’m just sayin’ . . .
Ha! You are funny! I actually *adore* the first lamp, but would I spend that amount of cash on a lighting fixture…never, ever. That could get my half my new bathroom, for crying out loud!
Have a good day, Jen! We are off to the double-decker
Heidi
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