Design Not Within Reach
©2012 Craig Ashby
Digital Photograph

A photo of a lamp hanging in the window of Design Within Reach in the Meatpacking District. The title of this post sums up my attitude towards the name of this chain.

For years I have wanted to create a little “Not” stencil that would blend right in with their logo. The horrible part of me wants to use an etching spray with said stencil. Something permanent and damaging that couldn’t be scraped off. The only fix would be replacement.

I wonder how many replacement windows would make their designs unreachable? Oh wait, they already are. I wrestle with this idea of destruction constantly.

What stops me? The fear of getting caught, going to jail and getting fined. These are easy hurdles. Then I realize the real reason I don’t do it in this particular case.

Design Within Reach has never done a thing to me. I can’t afford anything there so I can’t have had a bad experience as a customer. I love their stuff but I can’t afford it. So my only reason to vandalize their logo and window is bitterness.

In this case bitterness isn’t an appropriate reason to make a statement. It certainly doesn’t justify the risk. Overall it isn’t my modus operandi. Use the appropriate weapon for the right fight.

Plus I got this great image from their window. So just let it go and enjoy what I can get from them.