Affordable design  

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See "freeform sofa by Noguchi" thread. . .?

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All (good) homes and interiors depend on the interplay/counterpoint of so called high end/style and simple type forms that are inexpensive...no need to rush things...

May be I have an "ethic" problem
Let me see, my problem it's not that I wan't to furnish "my home".
My question goes more for "ethic" and "philosophy" things.
It could be "my home" as an example, but it could be perfectly a
"customer's home".
If I would need a sofa, the options shown, are pretty good, and it's true than in those cases knocks offs could be very close or even better than the original.
But here is the problem, why to buy an original then? that's my "ethic" problem.
"one good option sugested by azurechicken in ""Freeform Sofa by Noguchi""
could be:
"""why not go with the spirit of the piece and not an exact line for line copy?"""
Because in this case it is used as "inspiration" and not as a"copy". Then you are doing a new design, diferent form the original.
What's the diference between: knock offs, b/c and a copy?

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A line for line copy(rarely exact line for line) /knock off is to mimic a specific design, usually a well known design(big seller) of a name designer.Most often to sell at a lesser price and of course to gain steam from a volcano(famous/star designer).

ARTE POVERA
It could be one solution.
I read it in an old post here in DA fourum. Thanks to designite.
I loved this option. I want to "collect" arte povera solutions!!!.
But all a house or some, with this povera designs, not will seem too much povera?

One of the pleasures...
of DA is this kind of questions. Other threads are interesting to but when the designer, manufacturer or proof of originality is found many threads loose their "raison d'etre". The question of cost and pricing in design is an important question and the affordability of design to touches the very core of what modern design is or wanted to be. Within this forum context it is hardly possible to retrace the historical aspects of this all question but it might be good to remember that the origins of modern design were as much rooted in a social movement as in a cultural one. To bring affordable architecture and affordable products to masses was without any doubt the motivation behind the whole Bauhaus tradition. Ulm's School of design pushed the concept even further and I remember Thomas Maldonado "preaching" against the concept of "added value". Products in his view should be made as economical as possible and put on the market with the lowest possible profit the manufacturers/distributors could afford.(almost strictly based on interest on invested capital). With some difficulty the design world has accepted and finally embraced the economical and cultural reality that a product has a perceived value that is not related to the cost of production. In fact designers have also learned that their names, if marketed well are indeed an added value. Kaj Franck (Arabia) and many others have reacted by refusing to let their names be used on products or promotional material, others have tried to keep it to a "decent minimum" and of course some are happy to play the game and promote as much their name as their products. Last but not least there is a growing group of designers that were very much part of the first group but that, in death, have lost the ability to maintain their integrity (litteraly and figuratively). This being said, I do not think that "to design" is not to arrange "design icons" in an appropriate space. Our Texan egg blue egg provider is right in pointing out that one of the solutions is, not to buy copies, but to design along the same principles as the designers you admire. The other possibility that has not been mentioned yet is the difference between expensive classics and some of the very interesting things young designers do. Especially for someone that can use the skills and knowledge of a design education it is not difficult to recognize the timeless quality of products that are just reaching public attention and are still very affordable. So maybe the key is in your statement "how can I afford...as a designer". I would say: "you can afford it because you are in the lucky position to be a designer" In other words you do not need to rely on the reputation of an established (death) designer to support your own judgement.

There's plenty of affodable design out there
Gustavo!I know exactly how you feel. I've been in the auction business in Denmark for many years and saw a lot of hign end modern design every single day. I wanted nothing more than to furnish my flat with the best of the best. But ofcourse I couldn't afford it. Instead I went for items by less know designers. They were not as famous, but the quality of the workmanship was beyond compare. I could have bought a fake Arne Jacobsen egg chair, but I didn't because I happen to know why an original is as expensive and as famous as it is. First it was designed in 1958 and the shape was revolutionary for that date. Secondly AJ spent hours and hours developing this chair. With respects to the way it is made at Fritz Hansen I can tell you that the cow hides used to upholster the egg chair are so high quality that if a cow is stung by a mosquito Fritz Hansen won't use the hide, because of a minute speck in the hide. In other words, if its not perfect, then we don't make it. The point I'm making is, DON'T BUY FAKE, because firstly the quality will NEVER be as good, secondly if you want to sell it again you'll get a fraction of the price you paid and thirdly you're mocking th eoriginal designer who shed blood, sweat and tears making it.
Lastly; I was shocked the other day to be reading through an International interior decorating magazine (no names) and seeing an add for one of these companies that sell fake Scandinavian Design. I would have thought that a magazine with even a little sense and ETHICS wouldn't have aloud it. But sadly, it seems anything goes these days. By the way Gustavo, if you want cheap modern design, then feel free to have a look at our site.

MIX!!!!!!!!
Your home is a collection of furniture you collected over the years, you don't have to buy it in one time.
My house is a mixture between 'expensive' design, Ikea 'design' and others (f.e. Muji, etc, etc).
It's HOME for me.

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Exactly it is an eclectic mix formed over years.Also some very simple, very chic stuff is not expensive often its the juxtaposition of humble with (high end) that really has kick.What is not so good is the ersatz in well known pieces.

One of the pleasures of DA
One of the pleasures of DA, are such a smart answers and replies.
All points are great. And explains a lot.
Those concepts are VERY interesting.
ADDED VALUE!!. How interesting!
But it's very funny, because it's so often, nowadays, that one of the "advantages", of
Design is added value, "You have to do/use design, because with it you will have a very high
Added value" "You see..., one thing that costs $10, you can sell it for $15, but if it is beautiful
You can sell it for $30. And if it very beautiful $50. Why not $100?
And I don't think that's wrong, May be Thomas Maldonado was alright, Time changes!
SOCIAL DESIGN. It's also interesting.(History design; Bauhaus and Ulm)
And probably one of the best answer to "AFFORDABLE DESIGN" it is:
BUY YOUNG DESIGNS, buy "some of the very interesting things young designers do" Along with "No need to rely on famous reputation of an established (death) (and why not alive!)
designers to support our own judgement".
Thanks

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Often the problem with buying new designers is the cost can be quite high... Going the vintage route,a great source of quality, often at an affordable price...

Expand your knowledge of...
Expand your knowledge of vintage items to include lesser knowns at high quality ... keep you eyes wide open.

Also
You don't always have to have designer everything. Use quality unkown designs and designer objects you like when possible. All put in one space the designer item will be the highlight and bring everything else up if the room is done correctly. Remember - the room itself is a design. It's not justs the items you use but how you use them.

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Almost every good room does have something expensive in it and its a great room if its not the most obvious thing....audio equipment.Whitespike is on target:the sum of parts make a good design,its not easy to relate and contrast disparate elements...