About Us

Design Ranch was founded in 1987 as a graphic design and marketing studio just out side of town, on a homestead our friends, called the ranch. We remained there until we moved the business into town in 1996. Our current location had been one of the many corner grocery stores scattered throughout Iowa City from the late 1800s. After significant remodeling to our building in the center of the Czech and German immigrant neighborhood of town, fondly referred to as Goosetown. It was then that we also opened the Design Ranch store on December 1, 1998.

We had always been interested in the three-dimensional side of design, and this gave us an opportunity to share with the community some objects we had long-admired. They included the molded plywood furniture of Ray and Charles Eames, the lighting and tableware of Achille Castiglioni, the Tizio task light of Richard Sapper, and the Tulip chairs and tables of Eero Saarinen.

Our original idea to bring some wonderful designs into the “lobby” of our studio and to “see how it goes,” has really grown. We now offer an expansive selection manufacturers who continue to make the authentic work by internationally recognized designers of the past, and the best designers working today.

In the summer of 2023, we moved to our current location. Much bigger space, giving us the opportunity to showcase many more wonderful designs. What has evolved in over two decades at Design Ranch is pretty amazing.

We are honored to be an authorized dealer for some of the world's most innovative and inspiring creative companies: Alessi, Artemide, Flos, Herman Miller, Knoll, Louis Poulsen, Moooi, Pablo, Blu Dot and Vitra, to name a few. Sharing what we love, and helping our customers select the latest or most iconic designs, is a wonderful and rewarding experience.

Whether you are a long-time Design Ranch customer, a new resident, or one of many visitors to this fantastic community, we strive to provide excellent personal service and products of truly lasting value.

We hope to greet you soon in our store!

Gary

Gary H Gnade, owner

Manufacturers we represent

Furniture
Bensen
Bludot
Herman Miller
Kartell
Knoll
Magis
Moooi
Vitra

Lighting
Artecnica
Artemide
Bludot
Flos
Herman Miller
Kartell
Knoll
Louis Poulsen
Modern Fan
Moooi
Pablo Designs
Slamp
Vitra

Accessories
Area by Edward Fields
Alessi
Artemide
Bludot
Chilewich
Dadant Candles
Flensted Mobiles
Herman Miller
Kartell
Knoll
Meinecke Collections
Magis
Modern Fan
Nanimarquina
Technivorm
Tivoli Audio
Vitra