Just like the real thing

Knock-offs, copies and reproductions have their place in home design

TREND. Looking for mid-century modern furniture without the huge price tag attached? You might want to think about buying a knock-off. Like fashion design, where everything from knock-off handbags to Oscar dress replicas are sold in various grades of quality and price, furniture design suffers (or benefits, depending on your opinion) from copies.

Lloyd Fadem, owner of Retro Redo in Tulsa, Okla., a furniture restoration and reupholstering company that specializes in mid-century modern pieces, has seen many reproductions come onto the market in the past 10 years. He cites Mies van der Rohe’s famous Barcelona chair as an example of how authentic knock-offs have become.

“They are almost dead letter perfect,” Fadem says. “[Reproducers] will copy the Knoll to the exact specifications.” Indeed, Barcelona chairs have become so popular in recent years that one cannot step into a bank, office or waiting room without seeing one. Yet Knoll is still the only company with the exclusive license to produce famed architect van der Rohe’s designs.

Fadem is not necessarily against the fakes. He recognizes that “reproductions are a necessity because not everyone can afford the real thing.” Citing Alphaville Design as a maker of quality knock-offs, he mentions several characteristics to look for when buying reproductions, such as quality of materials and authentic dimensions of the piece.

It is, however, import-ant to remember that exact copies of designs are illegal. Many companies alter their furniture just enough to stay out of court. “Herman Miller has always kept a very close eye on and prosecuted reproductions,” Fadem says. Consequently, according to Fadem, Miller chairs have not been recently replicated with much success. But classic reproductions from the 1950s and ’60s, from such companies as Plycraft or Selig, look very much like the original Miller Eames chaise lounges — though they have been altered just enough to eschew trade dress laws.

Fadem does take issue with what he believes are the questionable labor practices under which many imported knock-offs are produced. Similar to the “designer” bags for sale on street corners, it is sometimes hard to know under what working conditions furnishings have been made. Buying an original allows licensed companies to pay their craftsmen a living wage. It also supports the artist who originally designed the piece. Fadem’s final take on the matter: If you are a real design aficionado, buy a few originals and “throw a few reproductions in” as well.

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