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 |
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:
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Hans Olsen Danish Modern Mid Century Eames Era Rocker |  |
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US $900.00 | 3h 58m |
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Charles Eames Side Shell ROCKER Herman Miller CHAIR nr | |
7 Bids | US $56.50 | 2d 12h 26m |
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Herman Miller Eames RAR Fiberglass Rocker - Olive Green | |
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US $190.00 | 2d 15h 31m |
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Herman Miller Eames RAR Fiberglass Rocker - Olive | |
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US $360.00 | 2d 15h 46m |
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Herman Miller Eames RAR Fiberglass Rocker - Sage | |
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US $450.00 | 2d 16h 1m |
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
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 - $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+
The Knock-Off: Overstock.com
Rupert Chrome Steel Chair with Leatherette Seat Pad - $199.99
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
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
The Original:
Vitra - Panton Chair (Retails for $262+)
The Knock-Off: Overstock.com
Flowform Stackable Black Chairs (Set of 2) - $64.59
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
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
The Original:
Knoll® - Bertoia Bird Chair and Ottoman (Retails for $2765)
The Knock-Off: Ikea
Karlstad Swivel Chair - $399.00
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?
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LAMP MID-CENTURY DANISH MODERN EAMES ERA 50s ATOMIC! | |
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US $109.00 | 56m |
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MID CENTURY MODERN LUCITE BRASS TABLE W/GLASS TOP EAMES | |
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US $225.00 | 3h 16m |
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NR MODERN LARGE INDUSTRIAL TABLE / CART EAMES ERA | |
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US $250.00 | 3h 16m |
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Hans Olsen Danish Modern Mid Century Eames Era Rocker | |
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US $900.00 | 3h 58m |
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MID CENTURY MODERN WALL MIRROR DUNBAR EAMES ERA | |
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US $400.00 | 4h 1m |
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MID CENTURY MODERN SHELL TABLE EAMES ERA | |
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US $400.00 | 4h 8m |
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JOHN STUART MID CENTURY WALNUT CREDENZA DRESSER EAMES | |
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US $525.00 | 4h 13m |
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JOHNSON BROTHERS CREDENZA SIDEBOARD MODERN EAMES ERA | |
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US $700.00 | 4h 14m |
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MID CENTURY 4 CANE BACK CHAIRS BY BAKER MODERN EAMES ER | |
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US $350.00 | 4h 15m |
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MID CENTURY MODERN CHANDELIER EAMES ERA | |
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US $525.00 | 4h 17m |
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PAIR MASTERCRAFT CHESTS MODERN EAMES ERA LABELED | |
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US $575.00 | 4h 19m |
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THAYER COGGIN BY MILO BAUGHMAN SOFA EAMES ERA | |
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US $950.00 | 4h 20m |
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HOLLYWOOD REGENCY BRASS PLATE CANDLE HOLDER EAMES ERA | |
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US $14.99 | 4h 20m |
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THAYER COGGIN BY MILO BAUGHMAN LOVESEAT EAMES ERA | |
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US $950.00 | 4h 23m |
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HOLLYWOOD REGENCY FAUX BAMBOO TUB CHAIR EAMES ERA KWID | |
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US $49.00 | 4h 23m |
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MID CENTURY MODERN HEAVY WROUGHT IRON TABLE EAMES ERA | |
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US $300.00 | 4h 24m |
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Lightolier Gerald Thurston Eames Era Lamp | |
1 Bid | US $30.00 | 4h 25m |
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T.H. ROBSJOHN GIBBINGS DESK FOR WIDDICOMB MODERN EAMES | |
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US $750.00 | 4h 26m |
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MASTERCRAFT MODERN DISPLAY CABINET EAMES ERA | |
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US $500.00 | 4h 27m |
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PAUL MCCOBB PLANNER GROUP DESK MODERN EAMES - LABELED | |
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US $850.00 | 4h 28m |
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