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Eames Imitations

By Creede on Aug 31, 2009 under Tags: , ,

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The debate over knock offs of classic furniture is an eternal one with people usually strongly divided on the subject. Personally I find myself vacillating especially when I see a great deal like this one from Overstock. The Eames rocker er, I mean “Vinnie Cradle Chair“, is going for $159, and a set of two of the Eames shell side chairs, um I mean “Ronnie Wire Base chairs“, are going for $157. Yep, $157 for two. Sure it’s a knock off, but for some it may make a lot of sense. Anyways, the original shell chairs were designed for the “International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design” so the low cost of these knock offs may be more true to the original spirit of the furniture than the official ones…

Available from Overstock.com

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Creede is a frugal design junkie. He loves miminamist and mid-century influences and often finds himself with a hammer and drill in hand in order to achieve the style he wants without breaking the bank.

  • http://modernesia.blogspot.com/ Mark

    I believe that you make a good point, it’s hard to argue with a great price. Moreover, you could consider these knockoffs as “starter” furniture for some folks until they can obtain the originals.

  • Jack

    Or you could just check out an outlet store like officedesignsoutlet.com and get a like-new one for a fraction of the cost instead of taking a risk on a knock off.

  • Brad K.

    We bought a real Eames rocker a few years ago from Modern Seed or somewhere and I was bummed when it arrived at our house to find that its plastic and and not fiber glass like the original ones. So the real ones aren’t even like they should be. Based on that and the fact that everyone just thinks we got it at Ikea makes me say buy a knock off.

  • http://greenmodernhome.com Josh

    A buddy of mine has one of the knockoffs and it is a totally different beast. Instead of the fiberglass, it is some sort of flexible plastic that feels more like it should be used in one of those fisher-price kids’ playsets than in furniture. It is uncomfortable and totally lacks the texture and deep color that makes the originals awesome. I’d say you are better off getting a beat up original off of craigslist or ebay and putting some of the reproduction legs on it that can be found all over. Much better product even at 50 years old.

  • Jose

    i totally agree that there is nothing like the original Eames chair. the texture, the color the way it’s built.

    that being said, the price on them make it so cost prohibitive to the average consumer, that it is no wonder that these knock-offs are as popular as they are.

    i for one would love to add two barcelona chairs to my house, but never in a million years can i justify spending $8,000+ on two chairs. so should i not be able to enjoy the look because I can’t afford it? that is the question of originals vs knock-offs.

  • Donald

    Something everyone seems to be forgetting is that Herman-Miller doesn’t produce the Eames shells in fiberglass anymore and haven’t for a long time. If you want to get a new chair like the original you have to go to Modernica. I find it ironic that their knock-off is the original and the original manufacturer is more like a knock-off.

  • http://www.bebitalia.it/ JAF

    i hear you on the barcelona chairs… very pricey. we bought to fakes. i feel like a fraud but at eight grand, i’d rather go snowboarding in alaska for a month.

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