Budget Minded Modernist
Another day, another fun knock-off. George Nelson’s Sunflower clock has been translated by those hipsters at Urban Outfitters into a fun little wall mirror. Nice compromise for the price. if the functioning clock part is still missing from your vision, pop out the mirror and install your own clock hardware to it. Making your own “fauxflower” clock could shake off those last winter blues and bring a bit of mod spring inside.
Phillipe Starck’s Prince Aha stools for Kartell have been seen in mod outdoor rooms for quite a few years now….which makes them ripe for copycats. Not that they were outrageously priced to begin with, but hey, we all love a deal. Measuring the exact same 17″ x 12″ is Chiasso’s Sally Stool. Both have a grooved end and a smooth end. Go figure.
With spring around the corner, it’s time to look for some budget planters. DWR has the Gratia planters on sale, but I’m going to go one better. Since the Gratia is made of bronze, it’s a bit pricey-especially when you need more than one. The Gratia will weather beautifully and achieve a nice patina over time…if you want it to. Below is the TJ Maxx version of a simple metal planter, not stellar quality at only $29…but nice simple lines at a nice price. I like them as is, but if the plain metal is too cold a look for you and you want the weathered patina, consider applying a patina finish yourself on the planter. I’d use the same stuff I used for the stair rail – it is a liquid patina found in art stores.
March 29 UPDATE: Just saw that CB2 has now posted some as well ranging from $15-40.
Verner Panton’s 1968 “S” chair is one of the more copied items in the knock-off underworld. Problem with them was the texture. All I ever saw was a piece of injection molded plastic with a grainy, nubby texture instead of the smooth, glossy look of the original (which had fiberglass coating). Looks as though some retailers have finally gotten the look right. Still stackable etc…but not $1400 each like the authentic re-issues…how about $175 each? I talked with the guys at White on White to verify this latest version they just got in stock was indeed the smooth finish….it is!
Modern Dose is showing a special online for the S chair as buy one get one free for $265. I couldn ‘t get anyone on the phone to verify it for me though! Modern Dose claims their chairs are a single piece of molded plastic and come in black, white and red, with both matte or glossy finish. White’s are fiberglass in orange, green and white. Personally, I think the White version will be the better chair, but I also feel obligated to share any other deals I know of out there.
Good news! CB2 has just issued their version of George Nelson’s 1958 swag leg desk for Herman Miller – for $299.00.
By now, many of you have probably seen the DNA art and more recent fingerprint art from DNA11 . Great idea, still a bit pricey, but cool. For your own fingerprint, I’d recommend buying Photoshop or another good photo editing program and taking your print to be professionally output at a photo store or a sign company for an oversized piece. For less than half the price you’d pay for one print from DNA11, you’d have the program to make other things for years.
If it’s not your own fingerprint that’s so important, just the look, then some other alternatives are available. Ferm Living has a wall sticker of a single print that is quite striking for $96. For a more abstract and artistic approach – I love the print by Ky Anderson from 20 x 200.
