Edgy, extraordinary new xo exposes exciting design concepts.

Striking modular line means greater versatility for designers, more cachet for clients.

Two lowercase letters are creating a sensation in office interiors these days. xo, a sleek, sexy new line of custom quality office furniture being launched by Dates Weiser, offers designers and clients a bold, contemporary design and remarkable ease of assembly at casegoods prices. The new line bridges the gap between the generics and high-end custom pieces.

Inspired by the elegant simplicity of early 20th century modernism, xo's designers have created a modular kit of parts that brings together technically ingenious uses of aluminum with beautiful traditional materials like granite, glass, maple and mahogany.

"We wanted to draw on our strengths—traditional custom quality and precision craftsmanship—to create office furniture that reflects and complements the realities of the contemporary workplace," says Allan Weiser, Dates Weiser president. "xo projects a feeling of informality and understated cool that's more consistent with the way people interact in today's business environment. We believe xo will become a new design classic."

For its long-awaited rollout, xo is designed in three basic office configurations: the reception desk, multiple workstations, and the private office workwall. Each xo workplace features distinctive design elements while sharing the elemental structure of aluminum frame wrapped in finished panels and accented by metal, wood, stone and glass. The simplicity of the xo design is evident in its hanging vertical and horizontal planes and its crisp aluminum accents and frames.

xo made it's official debut at the grand opening of the new Dates Weiser xo showroom on March 21, 2000 at 45 West 21st Street in Manhattan's Flatiron District. All the xo signature components—the suspended planes, floating glass transaction ledges, sweep-top worksurfaces with reverse knife-edges, exposed infrastructure, and interchangeable accessories—will be on display. Designers can now offer a new concept in systems furniture to provide clients with custom style, quality and flexibility—without a custom price.

"For financial institutions, law firms, ad agencies, communications companies and other organizations seeking quality crafted furniture with a hip, artistic personality, xo has got the look," says Jim Dates, Dates Weiser Co-Founder and Production VP. "xo is chic and contemporary without sacrificing the practicality and functionality of a standard kit of parts."

Dates Weiser created the xo system with an aluminum exoskeleton and an array of finished panels comprising the visible surfaces. "The flexibility of the system allows designers lots of freedom to create and customize the line for individual clients," adds Dates. "We'll work with designers to get exactly the right look for each office." Clients and designers can personalize xo for a provocative and edgy look or tone it down. The xo kit of parts offers countless combinations to alter appearance, applications or configurations.

Corners can be closed or left open, mobile or stationary compartments can be added, and panels can accept a variety of accessories. "Accessories can be easily added to the basic work area without calling in a technician or rocket scientist," says Dates. "This allows for quick adaptability without incurring more maintenance or adjustment costs."

In fact, xo was designed from the ground up to be simple to assemble and operate. Accommodations for computers, telephones and other power-driven workplace tools have been incorporated into the xo design. Wires slip between panels and desktops to make connections between workstations, tucked out of sight within the frame.

"We're absolutely delighted to be able to offer clients this engaging furniture that supports the functions of today's corporate workplace," says Weiser. "Office furniture customers used to be limited to a choice between 'practical' systems or high-end custom pieces. xo brings a remarkable new form and function that's been missing from the menu."

For more information about Dates Weiser or xo, please contact Karen Dickstein at 212.353.1383 or KarenBDE@aol.com.

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