Design Research: The Store That Brought Modern Living to American Homes

by Jane Thompson, Alexandra Lange, Rob Forbes (Foreword by)

When Ben Thompson opened Design Research in Boston in 1953, his innovative store became synonymous with modern interior design, lighting a public spark that still burns today, though the store itself is no longer. When the mass-produced furniture of impersonal department stores reigned supreme, this boutique retailer dared to provide a learned yet unpretentious environment for sleek design. Today, Design Research's legacy can be seen in the showrooms of Crate & Barrel and Design Within Reach. Through interviews, anecdotes and lush photographs, Design Research documents the array of household objects and furniture introduced to the American home through the legendary store that made good design available to all.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Business

192 pages, Hardcover

First published August 18, 2010

Reviews

[Eling · Rating 3 out of 5]

wanted to like this more-- I think the (hi)story of D|R is really fascinating, and I loved a lot of the old documents/photos/ads that were included. I just didn't love the format-- almost all quotes from people who used to work at the stores/knew the founder/started stores of their own-- and found it tedious after a while. It just didn't flow as well as I'd hoped it would. I guess as a coffee table book it would be fine to flip through & read from at random, but I wanted a more cohesive read. Also, though the matte/muted finish on the photos & graphics fit in with the retro aesthetic, I think it dulled some of the visuals.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could go back in time to see this store! But you can see its evolution in Ikea, Crate & Barrel and DWR.