Tipster Lucia pointed me to this backyard “tepee” from Design Within Reach. It retails for $2,200, and is made by “Dave Ellis, who spent 10 years working in the canvas business before creating his own line of tents and tepees in 1982.”
Here’s the screenshot of the page (click for a bigger version):
The description reads:
TepeeFor adventurers of all ages, the classic Tepee (2008) is a simple solution for spending time outdoors with minimal impact on the surrounding landscape. This one was crafted for DWR Tools for Living by Dave Ellis, who spent 10 years working in the canvas business before creating his own line of tents and tepees in 1982. We chose his work because of his quality materials and construction that provides proper ventilation, flame resistance and reinforced stress points. What’s also unique about this design is the sewn-in floor liner that allows proper air flow, while ensuring that nothing accidentally leaves or enters the Tepee. This floor also makes it easier to see where the poles should be placed when building the Tepee. The floor liner is not waterproof, which Ellis did on purpose since material that breathes won’t kill the grass underneath. The exterior canvas is tightly woven, preshrunk 100% cotton Army Duck that’s finished with a Sunforger baked-in process to make the canvas mildew resistant and water repellent. Campfire songs and ghost stories not included.
“Campfire songs and ghost stories not included.” At least it didn’t say “war paint and headdresses not included”? Also note it’s categorized under “Tepee–Outdoors–Play–Accessories”. Look, they even offer “location” shots so you can see how it will look next to your expensive mid-century modern patio furniture:
look at that comforting glow. ha. This is definitely for a very specific demographic–it’s a very small portion of America that can afford to spend $2200 on a backyard tent. Is there even a market for this?
DWR “Tepee”: http://www.dwr.com/product/accessories/view-all/tepee.do?search=basic&keyword=tepee&sortby=ourPicks&page=1
Comments
There is a market for this – for the upper middle class that wants to give their children the ultimate in all play experiences. Or perhaps to party planners wanting to create a thematic event (I can only imagine the outtakes of said imaginary event).
Anyways it looks kind of cool I sat in something similar when a documentary took to taping in northern Quebec at a pow wow. It was fun, I took a picture in it, most of those attending the pow wow were interested in the “tee pee”.
Just going through photos from Inclusion Works – which was a huge Aboriginal recruitment fair for recent graduates and they had this same teepee at the event. Everyone loved it and took pics in it!
The really sad thing here is you can have a tipi made up in Fort McPherson by the famous Canvas company, one that employees First Nations people(though as far as I know the Gwich’in never used tipis) at a much lower cost one that is made for the bush. if your interested see the link
https://www.fmtent.ca/store/Stores_Ap/Browse_dept_items.asp?Shopper_id=50904241819325090&Store_id=129&Page_Id=17&categ_id=5&parent_ids=0