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Knock-Off Report: Overstock.com and Mid-Century Modern Design

Article or RSS item submitted by Ty Wenzel • Aug 30th, 2008 • Category: Featured, Interiors Exteriors, Product & Merch, Retro Modern | 1,240 views



I am a big fan of knock-offs, particularly since I (a) am always on a budget, and (b) I have a 6 year old that likes to destroy furniture during his adventures throughout the house.  I cannot put a $550 Eames chair in the living room simply because it will be probably be nicked, ridden like a horse, used for the foundation of a club-house or just plain destroyed within a year.  So knock-offs are my thing.

I recently bought a sofa from Overstock.com.  It is sturdy, comfortable and fits into my modern re-do of our decor.  Here it is:

It retails for $1,899.99.  I bought it on Overstock.com for $545.00.  Within a week, it arrived via UPS and then suddenly it was on sale for $380.99.  When I let them know that, they gave me a store credit and I got a new Pentax digital camera!  Yes, I LOVE this couch.  And it only cost me $380.99.  And guess what the kicker is?  The shipping on Overstock.com is only $2.95.  Whether you buy a couch or whether you buy a cd or both and then some, it's only $2.95.

So I have been trolling eBay for an Eames rocker and here are some great examples:

DESIGNER MODERN ROCKING CHAIR ROCKER DANISH EAMES ERA DESIGNER MODERN ROCKING CHAIR ROCKER DANISH EAMES ERA Paypal US $195.00 2d 4h 12m
Mid Century ADRIAN PEARSALL Eames Lounge Rocker Chair!! Mid Century ADRIAN PEARSALL Eames Lounge Rocker Chair!! Paypal 0 Bid US $100.00 2d 5h 24m
Vintage Beige Fiberglass Miller Eames Rope-Edge Rocker Vintage Beige Fiberglass Miller Eames Rope-Edge Rocker Paypal 1 Bid US $898.95 2d 6h 34m
Eames Danish Mid Century Heywood Wakefield style ROCKER Eames Danish Mid Century Heywood Wakefield style ROCKER Paypal 0 Bid US $169.00 2d 6h 46m
HERMAN MILLER EAMES ROCKER BASE BLACK WALNUT HERMAN MILLER EAMES ROCKER BASE BLACK WALNUT Paypal US $89.00 2d 21h 8m

So guess what I found at Overstock.com?  A ton of gorgeous knockoffs.  Let's get started:


The Original:
Herman Miller® RAR - Molded Plastic Armchair with Rocker Base (Retails for $450.00+)

The Knock-Off: Overstock.com

It's even got the Eiffel legs!!! Retails for $159.99 with $2.95 shipping.

Vinnie White Cradle Chair - $159.99


The Original:

Knoll® - Saarinen Tulip™ Side Chair and Cushion (Retails for $1,160.00+)

The Knock-Off: Overstock.com

Redd White Chair with Black Leather Cushion - $169.99

Redd Black Chair with White Leather Cushion

Redd Black Chair with White Leather Cushion - $169.99


The Original:

Knoll® - Bertoia Diamond Lounge Chair (Retails for $1,06.00+)

Other version: Knoll® - Bertoia Side Chair

Knoll® - Bertoia Side Chair - Retails $420+

Knoll® - Bertoia Side Chair - Retails $420+

The Knock-Off: Overstock.com

Rupert Chrome Steel Chair with Leatherette Seat Pad - $199.99

Rupert Chrome Steel Chair with Leatherette Seat Pad - $199.99

Garrick Mesh Side Chair with Leatherette Seat Pad - $137.75

Garrick Mesh Side Chair with Leatherette Seat Pad - $137.75


The Original:
Vitra - Vitra Design Museum - Butterfly Stool (Retails for $648+)

The Knock-Off: Overstock.com

Sophie Black Bentwood Butterfly Chair/ Stool - $89.99

Sophie Black Bentwood Butterfly Chair/ Stool - $89.99


The Original:
Vitra - Miniatures - Faut. à Grand Comfort by Le Corbusier/Jeanneret/Perriand (Retails for $675+)

The Knock-Off: Overstock.com

Le Corbusier-style Black Leather Chair - $459.00

Le Corbusier-style Black Leather Chair - $459.00


The Original:
Vitra - Panton Chair (Retails for $262+)

The Knock-Off: Overstock.com

Flowform Stackable Black Chairs (Set of 2) - $64.59

Flowform Stackable Black Chairs (Set of 2) - $64.59

Flowform Children's Stackable Red Chairs (Set of 2) - $29.99

Flowform Children's Stackable Red Chairs (Set of 2) - $29.99


The Original:

Knoll® - Wassily™ Chair (Retails for $1600)

The Knock-Off: Overstock.com

Marcel Black Leather Accent Chair - $264.99

Marcel Black Leather Accent Chair - $264.99


Let's not forget about Ikea.  They continue to make furniture with clean lines the old-fashioned Swedish way.  Here are some mid-century knock-offs (or "inspired" pieces) I recently spotted:

The Original:
Small Paul by Paul Frank - Robo Stool Set  (Retails for $192+)

The Knock-Off: Ikea

BENJAMIN Stool - $19.99

BENJAMIN Stool - $19.99


The Original:

Knoll® - Bertoia Bird Chair and Ottoman (Retails for $2765)

The Knock-Off: Ikea

Karlstad Swivel Chair - $399.00

Karlstad Swivel Chair - $399.00

Karlstad Footstool for swivel armchair - $199

Karlstad Footstool for swivel armchair - $199

Pieces at Ikea are not "knock-off" clones, per se, but are inspired by designers of mid-century bent.  I think if you are looking to clean up the lines of your pad, this look is the safest, and most eye-catching of all modern styles.  Nostalgic yet Modern.  What's not to love?

DANISH MOD MID CENTURY TEAK COFFEE MAGAZINE TABLE Eames DANISH MOD MID CENTURY TEAK COFFEE MAGAZINE TABLE Eames Paypal US $489.99 14m
Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Sideboard Credenza Eames Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Sideboard Credenza Eames Paypal US $995.00 34m
Danish Modern Teak Oak Coffee Table Eames Wegner Era Danish Modern Teak Oak Coffee Table Eames Wegner Era Paypal US $795.00 40m
Pair Rosewood Lucite Chrome Nightstands Eames Pace Era Pair Rosewood Lucite Chrome Nightstands Eames Pace Era Paypal US $1,150.00 52m
VTG 1960s EAMES ERA SHAG RUG DANISH MODERN/LOTTA RING VTG 1960s EAMES ERA SHAG RUG DANISH MODERN/LOTTA RING Paypal 1 Bid US $125.00 1h 5m
Leather & Mahogany Sling Lounge Chair Eames Era Leather & Mahogany Sling Lounge Chair Eames Era Paypal US $375.00 1h 8m
  VTG Mod Eames Mid Century Danish Modern Lamp TR&CO N VTG Mod Eames Mid Century Danish Modern Lamp TR&CO N Paypal 2 Bids US $10.50 1h 8m
HUGE EAMES ERA DANISH MODERN REGENCY 60'S SHAG RUG HUGE EAMES ERA DANISH MODERN REGENCY 60'S SHAG RUG Paypal 2 Bids US $31.00 1h 18m
GRAY EAMES FOR HERMAN MILLER FIBERGLASS SHELL CHAIRS 2 GRAY EAMES FOR HERMAN MILLER FIBERGLASS SHELL CHAIRS 2 Paypal 10 Bids US $315.00 1h 33m
Mid Century Modern 70's Kartell Storage Table Eames era Mid Century Modern 70's Kartell Storage Table Eames era Paypal US $225.00 1h 43m
Mid century arc lamp arch Eames modern style 7' tall NR Mid century arc lamp arch Eames modern style 7' tall NR Paypal 0 Bid US $69.95 1h 44m
Retro Eames Era Coffee Table with Hidden Bar Retro Eames Era Coffee Table with Hidden Bar Paypal 0 Bid US $300.00 1h 49m
Eames Herman Miller TIME LIFE Black Leather Chair EXC! Eames Herman Miller TIME LIFE Black Leather Chair EXC! Paypal US $1,199.00 1h 50m
FABULOUS MODERNE GORHAM STERLING CANDLESTICKS EAMES FABULOUS MODERNE GORHAM STERLING CANDLESTICKS EAMES Paypal US $42.75 2h 16m
ART GLASS Hollywood regency VASE Eames Era Mid Century ART GLASS Hollywood regency VASE Eames Era Mid Century Paypal US $29.85 2h 22m
Vintage Pair Eames Era Modern Danish Lamp Lamps Vintage Pair Eames Era Modern Danish Lamp Lamps Paypal US $149.99 2h 23m
Drop leaf gateleg Eames Dunbar Wormley era dining table Drop leaf gateleg Eames Dunbar Wormley era dining table Paypal US $750.00 2h 29m
Vintage INDUSTRIAL STOOL metal WOOD eames TOLEDO ERA Vintage INDUSTRIAL STOOL metal WOOD eames TOLEDO ERA Paypal 4 Bids US $5.50 2h 36m
FLORENCE KNOLL PARALLEL BAR COCKTAIL TABLE EAMES ERA FLORENCE KNOLL PARALLEL BAR COCKTAIL TABLE EAMES ERA Paypal US $999.00 2h 47m
Orig Eames Herman Miller RAR Fiberglass Rocking Chair Orig Eames Herman Miller RAR Fiberglass Rocking Chair Paypal US $1,600.00 2h 48m

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