Unearthing Treasures: A Deep Dive into the Design Within Reach Warehouse Sale

Every few months, typically around four, Design Within Reach (DWR), renowned for its curated selection of modern classic furniture, hosts its highly anticipated DWR Warehouse and Sample Sales. These sales take place at their strategically located warehouse facilities across the United States, including locations in San Francisco, Secaucus (New Jersey), Estero (Florida), and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area.

These DWR warehouse spaces are normally dedicated to storing overstocked items, discontinued lines, customer returns, and pieces that may have sustained minor damage. However, during these special sale events, the warehouses open their doors to the public, offering a unique opportunity to acquire iconic modern designs at significantly reduced prices.

Recently, with my mother having relocated to Northern Kentucky, and the Fall Warehouse Sale coinciding with a visit (specifically, the sale on November 3rd and 4th), I decided to seize the opportunity and explore what treasures awaited within. It’s worth noting that while there isn’t a dedicated DWR studio in the immediate Cincinnati area, the warehouse’s location in Hebron, Kentucky, proves surprisingly convenient for design enthusiasts in the region.

The sale was scheduled to commence promptly at 10:00 a.m. Unfortunately, a minor navigational miscalculation resulted in our arrival around 10:20 a.m. It quickly became evident that we weren’t the only ones eager to snag a deal. The parking lot was already overflowing with vehicles, and a considerable number of cars were parked along the grassy verges and roadways leading into the warehouse complex. Faced with limited options, I made the executive decision to join the ranks of the “rulebreakers” and parked approximately a quarter of a mile from the entrance, a testament to the sale’s immense popularity.

Prior to entering the warehouse, I confess to harboring a degree of uncertainty regarding what to expect. Would there be endless rows of coveted Eames lounges, or merely a smattering of slightly damaged barstools and miscellaneous odds and ends? This uncertainty extended to my financial planning; I hadn’t established a firm budget, nor had I definitively decided whether I would make any purchases at all. The allure of the unknown, however, was undeniably strong.

Upon crossing the threshold into the warehouse, the sheer density of the crowd was immediately apparent. The place was completely packed with eager shoppers. It seemed reasonable to assume that many of these individuals had strategically positioned themselves outside the entrance an hour or two before the sale officially began, hoping to secure first access to the most desirable items.

The layout of the sale was intelligently organized, with items grouped logically by category, such as dining furniture, outdoor pieces, sofas, and so on. However, the real draw for many attendees, myself included, was the opportunity to acquire the iconic modern design classics that DWR is known for making “within reach.” These timeless pieces, including Saarinen’s Womb chair, Noguchi coffee tables, and Eames molded plywood chairs, were prominently displayed near the front entrance, attracting a swarm of enthusiastic shoppers.

It was at this point that a realization struck me, a twinge of both excitement and apprehension: I was likely to spend considerably more money than I had initially anticipated. A wave of anxiety washed over me as I surveyed the scene. The sheer number of people was somewhat overwhelming, and I was acutely aware that each item I saw was limited in quantity and being quickly snatched up by other eager buyers. Furthermore, it was disheartening to see some of these cherished design classics in less-than-perfect condition, exhibiting signs of wear and tear. While not all pieces were significantly damaged, a noticeable number possessed flaws, ranging from minor scratches to more substantial imperfections.

In order to gain a comprehensive overview of the available inventory and avoid being swept away by the initial frenzy, we decided to take a preliminary tour of the entire sale area before focusing on any particular items. The warehouse staff were exceptionally attentive and helpful; I was approached numerous times and asked if I was ready to have my chosen items “written up” to reserve them. The warehouse space was substantial, and the sheer volume of merchandise on offer was impressive, far exceeding what one might typically find in a DWR catalog or local studio.

As we approached the far end of the warehouse, where lamps, clocks, house numbers, and other accessories were displayed, my initial anxiety began to dissipate. I believe I had subconsciously reconciled myself to the idea of spending a significant amount of money, and had accepted that it would ultimately be a worthwhile investment. With renewed determination, I returned to the front of the warehouse, ready to make my selections. Here’s a rundown of the items that ultimately made their way into my shopping cart:

Eames Molded Rocker: White

The Eames Rocker was undoubtedly my favorite purchase of the day. The warehouse had five rockers available: two in blue, two in orange, and one in white. My wife and I have been casually browsing these rockers on eBay and in local vintage furniture shops for some time, and I knew that she would prefer the white one, given its versatility and ability to complement virtually any color scheme. (She envisions it eventually finding a home in our future nursery, when the time comes.)

However, there was a catch! The left maple rocker on the white chair had a significant crack running all the way through it, likely caused by overtightening the screws. Undeterred, I sought out a member of the warehouse staff to see if I could obtain a screwdriver and simply swap out the damaged rocker with one from an undamaged chair (specifically, the blue one that was conveniently located nearby). My request initiated a chain of communication, with the staff member I spoke to consulting with their supervisor, who in turn consulted with someone higher up the chain of command. After what felt like an eternity (approximately twenty-five minutes), and with my anxiety levels steadily rising, I finally spoke to an individual who had the authority to grant my request. “Don’t you have a screwdriver?” he inquired, somewhat incredulously. Crap. Another fifteen minutes elapsed before he returned, at which point we realized that we also needed a wrench to hold the nut behind the bolt…Throughout this entire ordeal, my mother and I had to vigilantly fend off other shoppers who were attempting to claim the other pieces that we had already earmarked for purchase (more on those below). Eventually, after navigating four levels of management approval, embarking on two separate tool-finding missions, and enduring some seriously dirty knees and hands from working on the warehouse floor, I emerged victorious with an as-new white Eames Rocker.

I haven’t yet informed my wife about this particular acquisition; my plan is to subtly place it next to the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. While it’s not technically a gift solely for her, I know that she will absolutely adore it, and it will undoubtedly add to the excitement of the holiday. Perhaps I’ll even adorn it with a large, festive red bow. She doesn’t typically read my blog posts, so I feel relatively confident in revealing my surprise here.

Walnut Mag Table

I’m a confessed sucker for molded plywood in all its diverse forms. I had previously encountered these magazine tables in DWR catalogs and frequently spotted them in online advertisements for sofas and other furniture pieces. In my opinion, they represent an excellent value proposition for those seeking to incorporate a touch of modernism into their homes. When I initially discovered them at the warehouse sale, there were approximately eight available, and I promptly grabbed one and carried it around with me for nearly an hour. By the time we made our second pass through the area, all of them had been claimed. It’s a deliberately designed piece, distinctive in its appearance, and relatively affordable, making it a versatile addition to any home. It can serve a multitude of purposes, functioning as a magazine/book table, an end or side table, a nightstand, or even a makeshift laptop desk when turned on its end. The particular table that I selected was in excellent condition, and although the color/finish is slightly lighter than what one might typically associate with walnut, I felt that it was a substantial piece of modernism for a mere hundred dollars.

Eames Hang-It-All

While I’m not generally drawn to retro kitsch, I’m always seeking out opportunities to introduce playful elements into my home decor. The Hang-It-All was the first piece of Eames design that I ever encountered, having seen it in a coffee table book during my college years. I’ve often contemplated attempting to create a DIY version of it. However, upon actually holding one in my hand at the warehouse sale, I found it irresistible.

Taburet M Stacking Stools

My mother, while not a fervent devotee of modernism, immediately gravitated toward these stacking stools upon entering the warehouse. We selected the cherry stool with the most visually appealing grain pattern (there were five available) and kept it with us throughout the morning. As my mother examined it while we waited for the Eames Rocker situation to be resolved, her enthusiasm for it grew, and I ultimately convinced her to purchase two. When I went back to retrieve a second stool, only two remained, and one of them had significant scratches on the seat. The other had a small nick in the corner, but it could be easily repaired. My mother intends to use them in an unconventional way, placing them at the foot of her bed where they will be largely out of sight. Nonetheless, she purchased something original and decidedly minimalist.

A week later, I’m thoroughly satisfied with my finds. I believe I acquired three exceptional pieces for under $500 (my total expenditure was approximately $470, including Kentucky sales tax, which seemed rather steep). I estimate that I saved around $300 (approximately 37%) compared to purchasing these items at full retail price, and I avoided any shipping charges. I overheard snippets of conversation suggesting that prices tend to decrease further as the weekend progresses, but by the time we departed, all the items similar to those we had purchased had already been claimed.

Moreover, once I managed to overcome my initial anxiety and embrace the experience, I genuinely had a great time.

[Images sourced from DWR.com and Shelteriffic.com]