Cool furniture, design objects and desiderata - Page 89

A cheap knockoff was a cheap knockoff, huge surprise. No offense to those involved, but you're naive to think you're getting the same or even a comparable peice for 1/2 or 1/3 of the original.

The Eames chose Herman Miller to build their furniture, it wasn't something decided after their death like many licensed pieces. They make a great product at a reasonable price while maintaining standards for their product, workers and factory emissions. If you really admire Eames work, why spit in their face when you can spend a few extra bucks and instead honor them?
Edited by SkinnyGoomba - 11/14/12 at 6:35am

I see what you're saying, but myhabit is supposed to be like a Gilt in that they have a limited quantity at a really low price. The price they sold that for was a little more than comparable knockoffs and the retail was (wrongly) listed as $400+. In the $400 range you are no longer in the crappy knockoff territory for something so simple.

Honestly, I think Herman Miller's standard price on them is kind of insane...it is a plywood chair for god's sake. As late as 2007 the chair was still priced in the high $500 range. Then in '07 they went to $629 and now the cheapest models are up to $850 (or $985 if you want the one that's the same color on the surfaces as the edges). I'm sitting in a genuine herman miller item right now and I think they make a great product--and I know that all of the eames stuff is mainstream "cool" again--but it just seems like a pretty high price jack. Could get an aeron with options for less!

I guess I will just wait until they're not cool again and people start selling them (or it might be a good trading opportunity with my pair of Wegner chairs that need a little work)

That may be true, but how can you expect them to rip off the designer and manufacturer, but not the end user?

Being plywood does not nessecarily mean cheap, I build my father a desk from walnut plywood in AAA grade, it was $125/sheet. That's before anyone did a minutes worth of work toward a final product. I don't charge my dad for my time, but I don't expect anyone else to offer me the same courtesy.

I'm not just on a soap box, I have an Eames Lounge and Ottoman in Edelman leather from HM, it was a lot of money, but in the end I have a nice chair I enjoy everyday, the people who built it earned a living wage along with the person who sold it to me (bought prior to working for who I work for) and i feel better knowing that I'm supporting that. I did the same for my Noguchi table, Arne Jacobsen lamp, Corbusier chairs, Navy chairs, ect.

Which Wegner chairs do you have?

I have a pair of the 501's ("The Chair") in teak.

I am pretty sure they are authentic from the 50's or 60's but seem to have some questionable upholstery additions and the seats need to be re-caned. They came from a neighborhood that used to have a high-end Scandinavian furniture store which is the most likely source. Sat on them as they were for 2 years in college (the upholstery is over the cane so the one with bad cane just sinks down and was referred to as "the ass bucket" by my friends) but now they are living in my parent's basement until I figure out if I want to pay to have them restored or just try to sell them as is.

edit:
I believe they are this version (they have the cane wrapped back) with some aftermarket upholstrery added to the seat.

Should have a mark from PP Moebler if they're authentic. Tht was the maker of that era for the cane seat, If it's there I'm interested.

I can see your point, but it's not always the best option, in my opinion. For instance, current DS* and DA* chairs by HM are molded plastic, which is a far inferior material than the original fiberglass that HM used, and Modernica uses today. Additionally, HM won't sell just bases for the two chairs, so one has to buy from Modernica, Modern Conscience, etc. The Modernica RAR chair that I have is the closest thing to a new authentic HM RAR that can be had (aside from deadstock, which would likely go for thousands). Obviously, there is a big difference between the companies I mentioned and the MiC shit that otc wound up with, but it's not so cut and dry.


In other news, I stopped by the local MCM shop and picked up the McCobb table today. It was in better shape than I remember it being, but I will still refinish the tabletop and legs. I opted to not pick up the chairs, which I thought were rather uncomfortable. The top of the back hit me in an odd spot, and the armrests were in the way unless my arms were actually sitting on them. The shop owner had a DSW (Eames side shell chair with dowel legs) that looked great with the table, and was so comfortable. Long story short- I picked up the table and kept my DS shells. Now, all they need are maple dowel bases...

Those pictures are really disappointing. I did not expect HM quality, but I definitely expected better than that. Personally I would love to buy all HM stuff, but at that price point I cannot justify it. On the plywood point, I just bought a Modernica Alpine Case Study Bed despite the fact it is plywood and veneer. I am concerned about the longevity though. I just don't have a lot faith in the durability of anything that that is plywood and veneer, but that being said you can produce shapes that aren't easily possible with hard wood.

Can I ask your opinion on quality vs. price for Scavolini and Snaidero?

I won't lump Modernica into that same group, they do make the licensed Nelson clocks and so on. They're using the original equipment to make the molds, which is a bit more extensive then a typical knock-off company, and they advertise them differently.

That being said, I'd probably go with the Eiffel base, the dowel leg matches too much for my taste. I don't particularly like the molded plastic/glass chairs, but I know they're widely appreciated. For me a table like that calls out for something else, like a Finn Juhl model 108, or a Moller side chair (model 71 or 62 IMO). Put a PH 3/2 lamp (glass and chrome) above it and you're set.
Edited by SkinnyGoomba - 11/15/12 at 10:51am

I don't have any direct experience with either, but purely based on the pictures I would say Snaidero is better quality.

I don't know your budget, but I would have a look at Boffi, Schifini and Valcucine their products are of a very high quality and they make "cheaper" ktichens as well.

I'm a bit constrained by location and funds, but I actually have a neighbor who wants to pass along her Moller chairs to me at some point. They are teak, though, so they would match my teak dining table but not the maple McCobb table. Personally, I like the matching dowel bases. My house is small, warm colors, lots of woods, so I'd rather go for dowel over Eiffel. I partly prefer the molded chairs for comfort and durability (considering I have a young kid).

Do any of you have experience refinishing a table with hand rubbed oil as opposed to lacquer? I'm considering oil, but worry about staining and durability (again, because of the young kid)

Have it done professionally if this something you are not experienced in. I would have it redone in lacquer becase it is most likely veneer over ply or MDF. Veneer is fine, but if you are inexperienced and try to remove the lacquer with a sander you will probably cut through the veneer at some point in the sanding process.

I generally do solid wood tables in waterlox and veneer over ply in lacquer. I do the waterlox myself and have a professional finisher for lacquer.

I can't argue that the dowel leg won't look nice, from your description it will help the chairs fit in.
Edited by SkinnyGoomba - 11/15/12 at 6:25pm

Suggesting the Finn Juhl 108 has actually caused me to be interested in getting a set.

Thanks -- I'll check those out. Boffi and Valcucine have dealers/showrooms not too far from where I am.

I'd also add Varenna and, if you are into it, the iconic but quirky Tisettanta E5 designed by Marco Zanuso