3.5 stars Furniture at this price point doesn't differ much between retailers. In other words, you're unlikely to be saving much money by shopping around. My guess is that these manufacturers require retailers to sell at a certain price. So what makes one retailer better than another? I think it's mostly their procurement choices and of course, customer service. Staying current and educated on the greatest and latest furniture is a full-time job, so you're choosing a retailer whose taste aligns with yours. Design Within Reach is an odd name for a furniture store that is out of reach for most people. I believe they are selling the same furniture at mostly the same price as other retailers. But if you're a fan of mid-century modern, you'll nonetheless want to reach out to DWR. I prefer quality over quantity anyway. Of course, any MCM retailer worth its salt offers the iconic Eames Lounge Chair (and yes, DWR's are authentic, not cheaper reproductions, which adds to the irony of the store name). Even if you're unfamiliar with the name, you've seen the chair. And yes, it's as comfortable as it is striking. DWR offers the chair in multiple finishes and fabrics--just like most other retailers. You'll find other MCM classics here like Nelson lamps, LC3 Grand Modele Armchairs, and Hang-It-All wall hangers. Customer service is expectedly friendly. Not all floor staff is as knowledgeable as each other though, but that's also expected. You may have noticed my emphasis: The name of this store implies that it's exceptional. The furniture certainly is. My only quibble (or point of amusement) is the misleading irony of the store name. But design junkies are likely already familiar with the franchise, as it's practically a household (pun possibly intended) name in MCM. For modern and minimal furniture, visit Hold-It Contemporary, another furniture store with arguably a more perplexing name and definitively less competent service. Ever since Danish retailer BoConcept closed shop, Hold-It has been enjoying competition-free apathy. That may have changed as DWR attracts old and new fans of modern and minimal rediscovering and discovering, respectively, mid-century modern. Modern and minimal are often criticized for being cold and sanitized (as if that's a bad thing, especially in today's times); MCM offers the best of both worlds: clean and minimal but also warm and playful. I wished I had discovered MCM earlier. On the other side of the mall is another household name--Room & Board--but I don't consider it to be distinctly modern, minimal, or MCM, but it nonetheless is dipping into Hold-It's clientele. Maybe Hold-It has changed its tune in response to competition. I did not see the furniture being sanitized when customers leave, and I don't expect them to. That would be an inordinately tall order, and I visit these stores with an understanding of this risk. Don't lick your fingers or pick your nose after caressing the Volo leather on the Barcelona Chair. Do that after sanitizing your hands with the storefront hand sanitizer. ----- Disclaimer: I don't pick my nose in furniture stores--only when no one is looking. read more

I spend many hours sitting at my desk working on my computer. I need a comfortable, highly adjustable, highly supportive ergonomic chair, and I want the chair to last. When the pneumatic height adjustment finally gave out on my last chair (after 15 years!), I gave serious thought to investing in Herman Miller's Aeron chair. When the chair went on sale, I went into DWR to sit in the chair, see how it felt and play with the adjustments. The saleswoman who helped me seemed nice enough at the start and was able to answer many of my questions. Then, I told her I have an Eames desk and would like to roll the chair over to one so I could see if the chair could be adjusted high enough to allow me to comfortably work with my keyboard on the desk's surface. The woman had no idea what desk I was talking about, and when I tried to describe it to her, she told me I don't have an Eames desk and took me over to a different desk and said that's the desk I have. Uh, no it isn't. We went back and forth on this until I convinced her to look up my desk on her computer. When she found it, she said they don't have it in the store and offered no apology for her rudeness. We then focused on the chair, she took me through the different adjustments, it was everything I wanted and needed, we proceeded with the sale, she walked me through the next steps, and that was that. Overall, this chair has been a great investment. It's everything I needed and wanted, and I was very happy to get it on sale for 20% off. I was also very happy to walk out of the store and leave that saleswoman behind. read more

My positive experience is specifically with Fabricio who was kind and patient. I've been in the store just to browse a few times, and it was honestly a mixed experience more similar with other reviewers' sentiments. But Fabricio is experienced and authentic. I know the selection on the floor may not always be exactly what you need, but Fabricio is willing to pull up different options on his laptop and have you take a peek even making a suggestion or two without being pushy. I think depending on your personal style this store is a hit or miss. The pieces are on the higher price point catered toward clients more concerned about longevity in lasting pieces. read more

Best place for modern furniture. Dee is super knowledgeable, highly professional and has great style recommendations. Thank you for dialing us in Dee read more

My initial experience here started off on the wrong foot. An older sales woman approached me and was professional but had a hint of impatience. In the middle of comparing desk chairs I made a remark about sizes to which she responded with a split second "TSSST" and with a slight sign of annoyance on her face, which soon after she smartly passed me on to another associate under the guise of "he'll show you samples". Smart move on her part as I found that he, Chris P, was genuinely friendly, as oppose to the tired fake salesmanship she possessed. He was also quite stylish which gave me confidence in his recommendations. Ultimately through his guidance I was able to buy the right chair and I look forward to working with him again in the future. read more

Horrible customer service at this location. Not even a greeting from any of the sales associates. The store wasn't busy at all and they did talk to other people that I guess looked like they would buy from DWR. I was in to potentially purchase couch. Ended up buying from Room and Board instead. read more

I was looking for Herman Miller chairs and purchased 2 only to find that the chair had gone on sale the very next day. A sale on Herman Miller is a savings of hundreds of dollars so I emailed the store to discuss the price difference. No response after 2 emails. I then called only to be stonewalled. Manager not in today, manager meeting with a customer and will call you back (no call back), manager meeting with district supervisor for a site visit (talked to 2 different associates who did not know this so I suspect it was a lie). They reluctantly gave me a refund after I laid out the timeline of events. They claim they can't give a refund after the product has shipped. When it comes to Herman Miller they are just ordering it off of the website which you can do as well. My suggestion...check out the items in store, wait for a sale on the Herman Miller website, and then order it yourself. Cut out the middleman. On a positive note, our salesperson was very helpful and personable and the store was nicely presented. read more

Ordered an Aero Chair about 2 months ago. Called main DWR to see when I could expect it. I was told some one from the store would contact me. No call.. called the La Jolla store. Was told it shipped, then rep said oh wait, no it didn't. I'll have my manager call you tomorrow. No call.. I called 2 days later and was told the Mgr wasn't due back for a week but the new rep would call the manufacturer to get an update and call me back. No call.... called 3 days later and they don't know where the chair is. Zero follow up by the staff zero concern about my order... save yourself headaches and order directly and maybe you'll have better luck. read more

Horrible customer service or lack there of. One employee was on her cell phone the whole time while the other was outside the store talking on the phone. Once she finished her conversation, she walked right passed us and didn't even acknowledge we were there. What's the point in having nice products when your employees don't do their jobs. read more

Came in to look at office chairs after getting burned by an online order from XChair (avoid at all costs!!). Chris took care of me and did an exceptional job! He is knowledgeable, super friendly and a no pressure guy. First time shopping here but I'm impressed with the top notch service, great people and killer products!! Prices aren't low, but you do get what you pay for. My $1k Herman Miller chair is excellent quality and will last forever - it's quality is vastly superior to the $1k chair I got from XChair. Can't recommend Chris and this company enough!!! Thanks again!! read more

A shout out to DWR for excellent service. I first called them and ordered a Vitra clock, which arrived on time and in perfect condition. My second purchase was made after visiting their store in Westfield UTC mall where I was nicely attended to by two women. I'm sorry I don't recall the name of the first one but she summoned Zara Papyan when I voiced concerns over some negative delivery/customer service reviews. I was still in the middle of an unbelievable struggle with West Elm to rectify an issue of a delivery of 2 pieces of a 3 piece couch which came with the wrong legs. Zara handled my questions and concerns in a professional manner. I'm happy to report that the delivery of my new bench was flawless; it was assembled and the box removed in record time.Thanks! read more