Original vs. Reproduction - Modern Classics Furniture

While searching for Modern Classic Furniture, you undoubtedly have encountered a wide gamut of offerings, from a variety of importers or distributors, all claiming to be the best. Consequently, you will hear words from various importers and distributors such as “Original”, “Knock-off” and “Reproductions”. In particular, some manufacturers speak about how they own the rights to a specific design and hold specific design patents for specific models. What should be made clear is that such manufacturers hold trade name only copyright and/or trade “window dressing names” for using towards a specific product design or have an agreement with a historical foundation to market under a specific name, but they are not making an “original” production design under a technical manufacturing drawing at all; just their version of it with a “product name” copyright registration. An example of this scheme would be McDonald’s “golden arches”. Multitudes of fast-food chains and restaurants produce burgers and fries, just not under the umbrella of “golden arches” at their storefronts.

Here at Modern Classics Furniture, we are not just another website selling modern classic furniture reproductions - we actually make the product! This is an important distinction. In that sense, we are like Alphaville was, back when they were around. In your search for mid-century modern furniture, the main thing to keep in mind is PRICE equates to Quality + Brand Name.

The Originals

The Modern Classic furniture pieces that we offer today have reached a state of “Public Domain”. Most, if not all of these designs, may have held only limited and narrow product design patent claims with 12 – 25 year patent authority. In fact, most of these designs held no design patents at the time of their market introductions which includes most of the furniture designs conducted by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Eileen Gray and Marcel Breuer for example. All of the designs we offer have no current “technical manufacturing product design specific” registrations. This allows us to reproduce these items to the specifications of the original design, but not necessarily an exact replica due to current market expectations of comfort, environmental concerns, higher grades of raw materials and more modern manufacturing techniques. If we did produce some of the “original” designs to the original product blueprints from 45 – 80 years ago, we would be using mild steel tubing - perhaps spot-welded or bolted together, cushions stuffed of horsehairs and straw, etc.! An actual “original” of any of the items that we produce would date back to the original production runs of the design, perhaps 80 years ago, and thus, are no longer in production from the original manufacturing factory today. To be clear, the “Originals” are near-priceless pieces of furniture found today in museums and exclusive private collections.

The Knock-offs

Modern Classic Furniture specializes in manufacturing and selling only in the highest quality, best value reproductions in the market today. We are not selling someone else's imported products, but our own manufactured pieces. Utilizing the expertise of master craftsmen, who join us from around the world, coupled with the best selection of raw materials sourced from around the world, we are able to bring you the best prices for high quality furniture craftsmanship you may find anywhere. To say our furniture models are “knock-offs” implies that someone else is making the “real ones” somewhere, which is, simply stated, not correct. We view our furniture models as setting a new, higher standard for Mid-Century Modern reproductions, but certainly not as a knock-offs.

Our Reproductions

We are committed to duplicating the appearance, scale and function of the original designs of the Bauhaus / Modernist Classic Era as close as humanly possible. We take exacting measures to replicate the original design and use only the finest materials and craftspeople available. The end result is a museum quality piece that supports or exceeds the manufacturing standards of the original. We offer a value that is in keeping with the original designers with the intent of bringing high quality furniture to the consumer at a price that is reasonably accessible to most furnishing budgets.

Recap of how our products compared to everyone else:

	"Original" Brands	Our "Modern Classics" Brand	Other "Knock-off" Brands
Where sold	Design Within Reach YLiving Bauhaus2YourHouse	This Website Our Authorized Dealers Interior Designers and Architects	Their websites are easy to spot!
Quality Level	Generally High, but we find they are inconsistant	Generally High: e.g., we use only premium Italian Leather, our dimensions match the originals; we use high quality parts and stainless steel, we use full hardwood frames; we continually strive to improve.	Generally Low: e.g. use inferior leather, dimensions do match originals, poor finish quality on wood, swivel bearings are cheap, use Faux leather, etc.
Price Level	Shocklingly High!	Priced in the middle, because we are factory direct	Generally Low; you get what you pay for!
Selection Level	Wide range of upholstery colors, sourced from a variety of manufacturers so wood finish and leather colors will not match between designers	We focus on only one niche: Modern Classics, focusing on furniture from the Bauhaus through the Mid-Century Modern; we have good selection of standard upholstery colors but will use a customer's own material (COM) when required.	Have many products sourced from a variety of manufacturers with no clear focus; wood and leather may not match between the various products; limited selection of upholstery, no COM.
Service Level	Usually good, but lots of rules to follow and low score on flexibility	Very High. Calls and emails returned promptly; speak directly with the owner; we are knowledgeable about every product we sell; we want you to be happy!	Some are better than others.

Where to go from here...

From reading this page, we hope we have offered a clear understanding that our Modern Classic furniture, which we manufacture and distribute as an excellent value for your choice in purchasing furniture conceived in the Bauhaus Era and the Mid-century Modern Era. From here, we suggest you read through some our buyer's guides for mid-century modern reproductions.