Knock-off in style

Looks like I need a new “Source”

olya — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:09:18 +0000

So, looks like DWR started carrying knock-offs themselves. FastCompany wrote an excellent article on the matter: “The Rise and Fall of Design Within Reach“.

I am not too surprised, but it sounds like they are going to turn themselves around – or at least try. The article is definitely worth a read if you are interested in the world of furniture ideas and theft.

swag leg desk

olya — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:16:56 +0000

nelson swag leg desk from hive modern $1849 USD

swoop desk cb2

swoop desk from cb2 at $299 USD

POANG recliner

olya — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:18:59 +0000

Artek Aalto 406 Lounge Chair

Artek Aalto 406 Lounge Chair from Nest Living – $1,630.00 USD. Designed in 1933 by Alvar Aalto.

POÄNG Armchair

POÄNG Armchair from IKEA $279.99 CAD

Pendant Dandelion Light

olya — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:02:56 +0000

Dandelion lamp from Ylighting

Dandelion Pendant Lamp $$2,458.00USD

Dandelion light IKEA

IKEA PS MASKROS CAD $99.99

French Industrial Desk Lamp – Jielde

olya — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:33:05 +0000

Jielde $975

Crate&Barrel $99.95

PotteryBarn Kids $69

IKEA FORSA $29.99 CAD (only in blue)

Update: Restoration Hardware sells a version for $200USD

Update: IKEA brought back the FORCA for $25 CAD and I have on in nickel. It is beautiful!

Target is shameless

olya — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:53:45 +0000

Target discussion on Blue Ant Studio.

It’s one thing, in my mind, to create a cheaper version of a design borrowing on similar characteristics. See IKEA’s candle holders – they are not as heavy or as colorful as Iitalia’s. It is another to totally copy something.

Maybe the line is blurry.

I love the chair poster and have it hanging on my wall.

decor8 – round mirror

olya — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:19:33 +0000

decor8 arranged for a wonderful deal for a mirror from modern dose in the style pictured above – “large-scale mirror for under $600 around the same size (45.5″), bold, lacquered white and definitely round with an interesting frame – scalloped, floral, a circle motif (no hard edges)”. good catch!

plywood dining chair (arne jacobsen series 7)

olya — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 20:01:15 +0000

given that Room and Board carries actual designer items I’m surprised to see them blatantly knock off Arne Jacobsen:

DWR Series 7 Chair $441 USD

Room and Board Jake Chair in Beech $79.00 USD

they are identical! crazy.

and here’s ikea’s take:

IKEA GILBERT chair $69.00 CAD / $49.99 USD

metal chair (orange)

olya — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:52:26 +0000

DWR Marais AC Chair $250USD (currently on the seasonal 10% off sale for $225USD)

Anthropologie emile chair CAD $201.06 ($198.00 USD)

discussion of fake versus real

olya — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:38:12 +0000

an interesting discussion of which is a better purchase – a knock off, or the real thing, with some example: design hole: fake not fabulous, and the original thread

reader request: metal chair

olya — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:36:41 +0000

$395 USD 1006 Navy Side Chair – Brushed from DWR

$175.00 SOHO DINING CHAIR from Jayson Home & Garden

where ikea’s votive candle holder originated

olya — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 02:33:31 +0000

never knew this.

iitala candleholder, 8 pounds

ikea candleholder, $0.29

floor task lamp

olya — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 19:44:16 +0000

DWR Tolomeo Floor Lamp $510 USD

Restoration Hardware Counterpoise Task Floor Lamp Bronze $699 on sale for $499 USD

Target Jumbo Architect Floor Lamp $429.99 USD

Restoration Hardware Atelier Task Floor Lamp Polished Nickel $299 on sale for $239 USD

IKEA ANTIFONI Floor/ reading lamp $59.99 CAD

EQ3 lighting SPROCKET Floor Lamp $49.99 CAD

discussion of knock-offs

olya — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 19:44:09 +0000

Apartment Therapy mentions another knock off – the CB Ripple chair for $249 to Eames Group Management $1298 chair.

The thread is interesting for its articulate discussion of what a knock off is and whether it is a good or a bad thing. My personal stand is that knowingly buying a direct knock off – i.e. an object that purports to be the original is kinda pointless. However, buying “indirect” design – such as the examples in this site which mimic closely but are yet different – is like buying H&M or Forever 21. You know they took ideas from runways; sometimes quite directly (see Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. and Forever 21); but they lack sufficiently in details, quality and price to make themselves a different object.

via AT: Shutter Storage Cabinet

olya — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:28:06 +0000

Saunter over to Apartment Therapy to read the discussion of a copycat of the Shutter Storage Cabinet (retailing for around $3,000 USD). Note the link to a JCPenney knock off in the comments…