Fast forward to 1999 and we saw the introduction of Design Within Reach (DWR), a company that was not monetarily within reach, but instead made iconic designs of the 20th century accessible to the public for purchase. While modern design was visible in magazines, television, and to clients who could afford and find architects/designers, it was not widely available for sale across the US and international marketplace. Thanks to the Knoll's impact across corporate America and innovation from the Eames,' George Nelson, and others, a renaissance of design took place during this period that led to excitement and education about what modernism looks like. Those "fill-in" furnishings often included less-desirable products such as sofas and credenzas that other designers did not take interest in, however, her expansive catalog of works have now become as recognized or more than Knoll's icons by other designers. Florence would bring established and untested designers to the Knoll company to produce new works, seek out existing designs from those such as Mies Van Der Rohe to produce through Knoll at scale, and when other designs were needed still, she would create the "meat and potatoes" herself. This included the likes of General Motors, IBM, and CBS, along with the interiors of countless influential architects of the mid 20th century. Through the Knoll Planning Unit, Knoll's interiors division, Florence Knoll would design and deliver new works to complement and create post-war corporate interiors within the US. Florence Knoll was prolific in taking her professional expertise in architecture from working with Marcel Breuer, Walter Gropius, and Mies Van Der Rohe, and then translating pressing needs in the architectural world to uncanny success and impact. It could be argued that Florence and Hans Knoll were singlehandedly responsible for bringing the international style and modernism to the eyes of millions in the 1940's and beyond. We look up to the foundation laid by Florence and Hans Knoll in particular, along with the influence that brands such as Design Within Reach have had in increasing exposure to the designers and works that we so appreciate. Rarify aspires to showcase the finest museum-grade examples of rare design for view and for purchase, while carrying authentic new products and vintage that can be afforded by the masses of design lovers across all incomes and interests. We instead hope to foster a community, where we can help to facilitate education and exploration of important design works. Our company does not aspire to sell products to customers. They also carry invaluable yet informal expertise from growing their passions outside of the academic setting. Our founders carry professional degrees in Architecture, Computer Sciences, Design Studies, and Design Computation. We have grown and established our reputation by spending years in the design and architecture community, working hands-on in innovative design offices, research labs, as scholars in design history, and as dealers of sought after 20th century furniture. Rarify is a company that cares deeply about important design.
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