Since its founding in 2008, the American Design Club has curated nearly a dozen exhibitions to promote the work of young American product designers. Starting today, the group is hoping to add profit to their activities. A new Web store will sell a sampling of its designers' jewelry, housewares and furniture, selected by the club's five managing members, including their de facto leader, Kiel Mead. In deciding to go retail, Mr. Mead, a Brooklyn-based designer, said, "We didn't look at spreadsheets and say, 'Hey this one sells great.' Everything had to fit our aesthetic."
So what exactly is the look? While it's certainly "not D.I.Y.," Mr. Mead said, the club's work has a handmade quality. Items range from Ladies & Gentlemen Studios' Superior Server utensils ($30 each), left, to Fort Standard's exposed-tenon stools ($250). There's an easy accessibility -- even to Reed Wilson's doormat, right, which encourages burglars to move on down the hall ($50). Americandesignclubshop.com.