Land+Living: IKEA and DWR

Furniture — May 15, 2004 Posted by Anthony

"Doesn't this sort of look like that one thing in the DWR catalog?"

One of the themes I've noticed while lurking on the forums over at Dwell is the number of times people ask where they can get DWR styling at IKEA prices. A valid request as I'm sure the majority of the population still wonders who exactly the WR in DWR is meant for.

I live near an IKEA. I'm not too far from a couple DWR showrooms as well. I spend hours and hours paging through the DWR catalog when it comes in the mail. Considering my "knowledge" of both, the one thing about IKEA is it's so easy to spot their furniture, especially when you walk into someone's house/apartment and it looks like a page out of their catalog or like one of their showrooms.

Link: Design Within Reach
Link: IKEA

When I'm at IKEA, I'm always on the lookout for that special piece that doesn't scream, "I'm an IKEA product!". Every once in a while, you'll find something. With that in mind, how often have you walked through an IKEA store saying, "doesn't this sort of look like 'that one' piece in the DWR catalog?"

Anyhow, here's some similar -- and not so similar -- products from IKEA and DWR (none of which are part of my personal collection):

IKEA Eksjo (top) and the Cubic Coffee Table

Aalto Stacking Stool (left) and the IKEA Frosta

IKEA Jerker Desk (left) and the Lucy Desk

3 comments

Comments (3)

Jack — February 15, 2005
Quality Difference

True; Ikea has many designs that are similar to other more expensive pieces, but the difference usually is in the quality of the design's materials/assembly. When you buy something from Ikea you get what you pay for and sometimes it's not even worth the price in the long run because of the poor quality/workmanship. And don't get me started those Ikea's allen wrenches!

Adam — November 27, 2007
Within Reach

I've always wondered about DWR's name, so I asked last time I was in there. The company, I was told, started at a time when designer furniture had to be special ordered, usually through an interior designer/architect, and with exorbitantly long lead times, like...20 weeks! The Within Reach meant that DWR stocked items that could be purchased directly by the end user - doing away with the middleman. Seems funny now with the internet, and direct retailers all over the place, but I've always been impressed with the sheer depth of knowledge when I walk into the local DWR. And DWR's quality is always WAY beyond that of Ikea...cheap furniture made out of sawdust and glue!

Gail Boyce — December 22, 2007
Ikea/DWR

I have purchased furniture from both Ikea and DWR. I bought the Panton chairs, a Wassily chair (which I love), 3 Prince Aha stools and 4 Bellini chairs for my dining room table. Everything I purchased from DWR was outstanding and exactly as advertised. I have also been fortunate finding pieces from Ikea; namely a glass top coffee table, two dressers, round mirrors, lights for the kitchen and bathroom. I use Ikea to augment and if it doesn't hold up, it's easy to replace. What I buy from DWR I expect to outlast me.