Modern furniture retailer opens largest store to date

Design Within Reach has opened a store in Portland, Ore., in an historic building that dates back to the end of the 19th century.



The retailer opened in the city’s North Pearl District, in a circa 1890 two-story brick warehouse that originally served as a distribution center for pottery and housewares.



"We're thrilled to be a part of the vibrant, evolving Pearl District and the opportunity to support the preservation of this historic building," says DWR president John McPhee.



The 26,000-sq.-ft. space replaces the company's previous location nearby and is its largest showroom in North America.



New York-based architectural firm DFA partnered with Portland's Fieldwork Design and Architecture on the project, which draws inspiration from the landscape of the Pacific Northwest. The wood-slatted ceiling and dark wood floor of the partially enclosed environment reflect the warmth and the spirit of the region.



The new Design Within Reach boasts 44 room vignettes integrating iconic classics with pieces designed by emerging designers. Additional features include:



• Maharam Lounge: A sprawling lounge comprising more than 50 poufs upholstered in a mosaic of Maharam textiles that expands upon the thousands of custom upholstery options available to clients and provides an informal spot to relax.



• Swatch Wall: Two 30-ft.-long material and color spectrums representing hundreds of wall-mounted upholstery tiles offers a glimpse of the more than 3,000 custom options available.



• Light Cloud: A multilevel, hanging installation of nearly 300 pendant lights that glow above the entrance and lead customers up a grand staircase to the second floor.



• Dining Test Lab: A 50-ft.-long hall flanked by back-lit runway displays of the top dining chairs. Customers are encouraged to test drive the chairs and explore mixing different armchairs, side chairs and counter stools from various collections with a myriad of tables.