You can’t dress well on a budget without knowing “what is style”. The same goes for your space: Use these 10 paradigms of good design to inspire your choices in decorating your home.
We’ve all seen them, those bachelor pads that belong to the rich and famous; you know, the ones that make you want to play the lottery? Chances are, most of them include one or two of the components listed below. And of course, like most items readily available in celebrity brands, these chairs and tables and sofas don’t come cheap. But, like the affordable style in Primer, it’s important to know what to look for in order to find cheaper versions elsewhere.
Let’s start with a recent classic, a chair designed in 2000 by husband and wife team Shin and Tomoko Azumi. The streamlined silhouette makes it a versatile choice for many different interiors, and the low back allows it to easily tuck under the countertop. The real deal can cost $1,345, but the cheaper ones will set you back between $100 and $200 depending on the style.
2. The Eiffel Tower of the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel chair dates back to the year 1948, when another husband and wife team Charles and Ray Eames created the Eiffel chair using the newly popular fiberglass. They were interested in creating new shapes using new technology, so this round plastic chair was born. This beauty costs $875 and up, depending on whether you get a new or a vintage piece. Templates can be found on Amazon for around $80.
3. Wassily chair
The chair, later called “Wassily,” was designed by Marcel Breuer in 1926, and produced by the German-Austrian furniture manufacturer Thonet in the late 1920s. Inspired by the handlebars of his bicycle, Breuer used bent steel tubing and canvas, which was revolutionary at the time. Like many of these iconic pieces of furniture, the Wassily chair is still in production today and an authentic one costs $4,000+. Reproductions can be made for under $400.
4. Isamu Noguchi Table
The Isamu Noguchi coffee table was commissioned by the design team at Herman Miller in 1947, after seeing an earlier replica created for Noguchi by the president of the Museum of Modern Art. The two identical curved pieces of wood used for the base gave the piece an artistic feel, so Noguchi’s table was called a “utility painting.” This classic will set you back $2,695. The simulation can be found on Amazon for $400.
5. Saarinen Dining Table
This widely recognized table was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1958, after five years of research and development. He was inspired to create a harmonious table design that did not rely on four legs. The sculptural curves give it a modern feel, while the single support makes it more functional (allowing it to provide seating for more than four people). These tables are priced at $19,000+ depending on the style. Cheaper options can be had for $190.
6. Nelson Platform Bench
Introduced in 1946, this bench is one of the most prominent icons of mid-century modern design. Built for functionality, it is equally useful as a bench or coffee table. Designer George Nelson had a background in architecture, which is evident in the rectilinear form of this timeless bench. Expect to spend $2000+ on this. Amazon has a model for under $200.
7. Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
One of the most popular pieces of furniture in recent history, the Eames lounge chair and coordinating ottoman are timeless yet modern. Designed over a period of several years and released in 1956 by Charles and Ray Eames, they combine comfort and style. It has become an icon of modern style and is part of the permanent collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Molded plywood and leather chairs are available today, but at a high price of over $8,000. Homage’s can be had for under $580. For something more affordable, you can find Eames features in Ikea’s Poang for $149.
8. Corbusier LC2 Sofa
Le Corbusier, a famous architect and designer during the first half of the twentieth century, created this iconic sofa in the same style as his first Petit Lounge chair in 1928. Rather than being placed on the inside of the sofa, the tubular steel bases were placed on the outside, becoming an important and memorable part of the design.
Maxell’s “Blown Away” commercials that became a pop culture icon in the 80s feature the Corbusier chair.
This is another investment piece, priced around $2,000 (and more for the three-seat style). Knock-offs can be had for around $1000+.
9. Chairman of Bertoia Diamond
In 1952, designer and artist Harry Bertoia found inspiration in an industrial story, making it a work of art that is still considered one of the most famous chairs in history. Transforming the usually angular metallic into a rounded, almost cocoon-like shape gave the chair a unique look. These seats will set you back around $3,000+ each. Similar style pieces can be found for $300.
10. Eames Molded Plywood Chair
You can probably see the trend by now – Eames is one of the most important names in the history of the furniture industry. Hailed by Time Magazine as the best design of the 20th century, this unique chair was expertly designed in 1946 to perfectly fit the contours of the body, and has shock absorbers to dampen any jerky movements. These beautiful chairs cost $1,900+ depending on the type of wood and finish. A reproduction would be $218.
If you haven’t seen these pieces before, I think you will now. Drop by Architectural Digest the next time you’re at Barnes & Noble and I can guarantee you’ll see at least a chair or two. This furniture has stood the test of time, both as revolutionary new products when they were first designed, and as timeless classics ever since. As you can see from the prices, these pieces are out of everyone’s reach… but the style that comes out of them all makes them useful planter pieces. After all, we need a little encouragement every now and then, right?