house and home by joel martens
Signature PieceS at Substantial Savings
Most people desire high-end design but often can’t afford the prices that come
along with it. Ideas featured in major design magazines and by famous designers
are fantastic for their cutting edge concepts and products, but the inflated price
tags are enough to send most of us in to apoplexy!
Design on a dime, we’ve all heard the phrase, seen the show, and watched the
design teams as they create environments with seemingly no budget and in 30
minutes or less! Obviously there is a great deal that happens behind the scenes,
but the examples they set about shopping carefully and creative solutions are
good ones to use in your process. The key is persistence, and the idea is that there
is always a solution for your specific situation. Money is helpful, but determina-
tion is key. Here are a few great examples of ways to acquire signature furniture
pieces at substantial savings. I’m going to feature contemporary designs by the
original designers and compare the prices to modern day alternatives - the price
comparisons are vivid. The first is a classic original, a 1944 vintage piece designed
by Isamu Noguchi that is a timeless contemporary addition to any home. The
original comes in at about $6,500.00! Pricey for most, unattainable for some, but
as a collector it is fairly inexpensive for an original piece by its original designer. The
Herman Miller Company produces a beautiful licensed copy for about $1,500.00.
However, I found a manufacturer that produces this stunning reproduction for
around $600.00. Of course it doesn’t have the engraved signature indicating the
original, but for a savings of $5,900.00 I think I can live with it!
The next is a mid-century classic designed in 1956 by Charles and Ray Eames.
It is by far one of the most comfortable occasional chairs designed for the home
market. (If you’ve had the honor of sitting in one of the originals, you’d agree
wholeheartedly). If you’re lucky enough to find one, they retail for approximately
$3,500.00 for the chair and ottoman. As an investment, it is a worthy price for
something rare and unique. If you’re simply looking for the finesse of the original,
and not the interested in the investment, the same chair can be had for under
$1,200.00. It may not have the provenance of the original, but in comparing the
two photos here, is it worth the price difference? In a 1956 Eero Saarinen de-
signed the Tulip pedestal dining table which has become a contemporary classic
in every way. The oval white laminate top and base revolutionized the market
t
ION
by eliminating the “forest of legs” (as Quoted by Saarinen). The simplified look of
the original belies the not so simple price at $3,500.00. Throw in the eight chairs
and the total rises to $7,500.00! With a little hunting, I found a manufacturer that
ORIGINAL
makes a stunning reproduction that comes in at $1,800.00—with a Canterra
marble top no less! Similarly these reproduction chairs from the same company
duc
retail for $175.00 or so – not bad for a couple hours work! I would never discour-
age a buyer from investing in original pieces and have done so myself, collecting
RO
original furniture and art is very satisfying. However, these three examples are
meant to show that there are many different pricing levels, and therefore many
different solutions to home design. Whether you have a dime or $10,000.00 to
spend, the key is to look beyond the obvious, a solution it is always out there!
R
ep
Happy hunting!
For more information, please feel free to call us at 619.220.0225 ext. 2 or visit us at Pomegran-
ateHome at 1037 University Avenue in Hillcrest. You can check out our website at Pomegranate.
signonsandiego.com as well. If you need more individual assistance, contact me at joel@
pomhome.com or the number above and we can set up a consultation!
Joel Martens is the general manager at PomegranateHome and owner of Arrange Design.
62 RAGE monthly | september 2009
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