There are dozens of places in Toronto where you can buy unlicensed knock-offs of famous furniture designs but I’ve never found a retailer selling a wider product range than Modern Studio Inc. Wegner, Mies, Eames, Bertoia, Noguchi, Nelson, Panton, Jacobsen, Le Corbusier, Saarinen, Starke . . . the gang really is all here.
Two weeks ago, Modern Studio set up a funky new showroom in a former auto body shop at the corner of Dupont and Dufferin streets. With bay doors that open onto a large parking lot, the space is airy and bright, albeit jammed with a hit-parade of 20th century classics.
To celebrate its new location Modern Studio is having a sale, which means even bigger savings on its already competitive prices. For instance, the Eames Lounger and ottoman, regularly priced at $1,699 is currently $1,499 — Hive Modern retails the genuine Herman Miller piece for $3,700 USD. That’s a BIG difference.
The Vladimir Kagan sofa, below left, has been discounted to $1,399 (from $1,599) as part of Studio Modern’s opening sale and the Zurich Leisure chair — one of my all-time favorites — below right, is now $899, marked down from $999.
Being a believer in intellectual property rights, I’m mostly against knock-offs and probably wouldn’t have one in my home. But listen to the hypocrite — I knowingly bought a knock-off Eames Aluminum Group chair for my office: I found it on Craigslist for $200, which I thought was an amazing price — Modern Studio is selling the same chair for $189, plus taxes. It was my one and only knock-off lapse but I can no longer claim to be holier than thou — I’ve been tainted.
What’s your take on knock-offs? Okay or no way?
Tell them you saw it on styleNorth!
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:49 am
I will have to check this place out — I am personally ok with buying the knock-offs. Herman Miller’s prices are way too high, given that these designers originally made this furniture as a way to give well-designed furniture to the masses, and most of the designers are no longer around.
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Good evening, I don’t like knock-offs. If it isn’t “real” I’m not interested One quality piece makes up for a room full of cheap junque…JMHO
June 18th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Knock-offs are good, but there is smth that you should keep in mind when you purchase from this store. I ordered 3 items, and I was promised that I will get item A & B this week, and maybe would have to wait for item C. Since A & B were more important for me to have as soon as possible, I agreed with the deal. They promised to contact me at a certain date and time to schedule the delivery. They didn’t. I was calling them over and over again. Once I reached someone, she told me that “oh…we have a life stock…and item B would not be available for another few weeks. So, you will only be able to get items A & C”. Of course, being frustrated, but at the same time, realizing that I can change my item B and get smth that was in stock, and consequently, have all my items delivered this week, I decided to visit their shop and see what they can offer instead of item B.
When I came in, they started showing me some substitutes for item B and then out of nowhere they began talking about the “beautiful piece that they have that we can take instead of item C”. Item C? How did we switch to item C suddenly? When I asked a straightforward question: do you have an item C? One started saying Yes, another No and so on and on and on. Then they came to a final conclusion: “No, we do not have an item C and we will never have it in this color because it is discontinued”. So, when they were selling it to me a few days ago, they had it. When they were talking on the phone with me, they had it to, but when I came a few hours later, it suddenly discontinued! I asked them “when were you going to tell me that item C is unavailable if I didn’t come here today?” Her response was: “Maybe on the delivery date”.
Result: Item B – wait for a few weeks, Item C – not available at all, Item A is available but who needs it without B and is it really available? I didn’t go through with the deal and asked for money back. And at this point, their attitudes were so bad, and they even started making comments that “oh, you probably haven’t been living in Canada for too long, and you don’t trust ppl etc.” Of course, I wouldn’t tell them otherwise, but who would trust these ppl after this experience. I hardly understand how with this attitude and absolutely no sense of responsibility they are still surviving.
Just to note: Some other people told me that even though this shop has good items to choose from, be aware because they tell you that you’ll get this and that on that date, and often you either would have to wait a lot longer or just like in my case, wouldn’t get an item at all and find out about it at the very end. Tip: bring the tape recorder with you! Because when you buy, they will tell you “you need item A & B…we have it…you can pick it up in a few days” and when you come there in a few days “oh, your item will only be available in a few weeks…it is such a popular product, everyone wants it…we have a life stock, how can we control it? And much much more of this nonsense
July 27th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
That person who told you is more than likely Lena. Lena is a slob when it comes to running the store . The same thing happened to me. I met Samantha, and she is on top of the store. Samantha took over - thank god.
Lena is nice, but yes she lies, and forgets.
I would give the store another chance . Just ask for Samantha next time?
August 5th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Is she the manager there? If so I have dealt with her, she is amazing.
I notice she does everything by herself, and has no help - I wonder why?
I love the store, nothing but good things to say.
I love modern knock offs and this place is affordable and the deals that they give are out of this world. Turn around time is 1-2 weeks and they are honest about it, well the tall brunette is anyways.
I over heard a call while I was there and the manager is really on top of her clients orders. She doesn’t let her clients get cheated.
I am surprised about this other woman, she sounds distructive to this store, maybe she should get out.
I think she has orange hair? I’ve seen her but always kept with the other young lady there. I couldn’t help but notice the other lady is sumwhat spaced out.
We all have a personality that someone doesn’t like, that’s life!
This store is amazing, you go in spend 6 grand get it for 5 grand, spend as little as 250.00 get it for 199.00.
Hope this helps with your furniture shopping!
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Lena is absolutely ridiculous and out to lunch. I ordered a desk on July 5th from her (my first mistake) and was told it would be delivered in two weeks. Delivery date passed. I called at the end of July. I was told 3 more weeks. No follow-up on that either. I called again in August. I was told “September 9th”. I said that was unacceptable and wanted either (a) a desk immediately, or (b) a refund. Lena actually laughed right into the phone and said there’s no chance I’d get a refund. She then said she would “steal” another desk from someone else’s order and it would arrive by Sept 1st. She lied. It is September 3rd and I just called for the millionth time and finally got someone else… hopefully it is Samantha! I hope she can salvage this somehow….
(It has become a running joke with my husband and I what day we’ll actually see the desk or our money back.)