Classic Chairs on the Cheap!

I love mid century design! Some of the most recognized modern classic furniture came from this period. This furniture is beautifully designed and its popularity has only increased with time. This may be because this furniture seems to mix seamlessly with all kinds of décor and never seems to go out of style. Although I love the look, these original pieces can cost thousands of dollars and that is simply out of my price range. Shopping vintage is a good way to go, you might get lucky and find a bargain on an original, but that luck is time-consuming and hard to come by. So what are we to do? Well, I have done a little research for you. Since these designs have remained so popular you can now find many cost-conscious replicas online and in stores. Below are some of my favorite mid-century chairs along with their less expensive counterparts. Have a look!

The Ball Chair, designed by Finish furniture designer Eero Aarnio in 1963, is one of the most well recognized mid-century modern pieces of furniture. Its simple shape is constructed from fiberglass shell, upholstered from inside and a steel lacquered base which allows the chair to rotate.

Suggested Retail Price:
Starting From $10,565

Don’t be discouraged by the price of an original I found this Eero Aarnio Style Ball Chair in many colors at an online retail called LexMod for $799.

 

 

The Barcelona Chair was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1929 for the German Pavilion at the Barcelona Exposition in the same year. He designed this chair for the Royalty of Spain. Barcelona chair is almost entirely handcrafted, constructed from seamless stainless steel or chromed frame with hand-welted and hand-tufted leather panels that adapt to fit the curve of the frame.

Suggested Retail Price:
Starting From $5,070

Want the look but not the price? This Barcelona chair will run you $472 online at MoDecor and comes in several colors.

 

Photography: Bryce Covey Photography

Charles and Ray Eames designed Eames Armchair together with Eames Side Chair in 1948. Eames Plastic Molded chairs originally were made of metal. Today the chairs are made of recyclable, ecologically friendly polypropylene.

Suggested Retail Price:
Starting at: $249

A little out of your price range? I found this pair of Eames replicas on Ebay at $210 for the pair and they are available in several different colors.

 

 

 

 

Photo by Louisle Maire

Danish architect and designer Arne Jacobsen designed the Egg chair in 1958 for the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. Jacobsen was commissioned to design every element of the hotel building including furniture.

Suggested Retail Price:
Starting From $6,371

Pretty but pricy! Check out Overstock.com who sells this Eggs chair look alike for the bargain price of $558.99 or a leather version for $609.99. The fabric version comes in seven different colors!

Want to learn about more great mid-century furniture? Visit my resource for this post, Famous Furniture Design, a quick guide to most recognized modern classic furniture.

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