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I am not really sure about this but will have to read the article. First of all, while the Weinrib rug is beautiful, I have a hard time believeing that a flat weeve COTTON rug is going to last long enough to be an actual heirloom unless it is hung on a wall.

I have the same question about the T table. Lovely piece, I'm a big fan of Kartell, but I think in order for a piece to be an heirloom, it needs to be able to withstand at least ONE generation of wear and tear.

I think the Ghost Chair gets it by default, just because it is the only piece that is likely to withstand the ravages of time. Even the T- table (I have 2 of them) has delicate legs. And the Garland Light? Fuggedaboutit!

I can't imagine pillows and cotton rugs being heirloom pieces, especially if they are mass produced/machine-made.

I think the ghost chair has been around long enough to be a possible heirloom someday. The garland lamp has potential, but is too new to really qualify yet in my opinion... although it did make enough of a design impact to qualify in the future....

None of these have the design impact of an aalto vase, an eames lounging chair, or a panton chair, though....

and yeah, as mentioned above, I would like to scrutinize the aging/wearing process prior to declaring any of these items heirlooms...

(I will confess.... wee are banking on the bellini ultra chairs becoming heirlooms one day.... )

I have to agree with hejiranyc!! Although I do think that the JA pillow would look very cool faded, worn out, etc. Kinda like an old piece of flame-stitch fabric. I just think that most of this mass-produced crap won't stand the test of time.

Starck's chair will look like hell with 50 years of scratches...

Actually, my Ghost is looking real good with all the scratches. Building up a nice frost/patina that is looking real interesting. Granted, it is clear, not sure if the black or white would look good. Never know.

i voted for the rug a quality piece that is well cared for makes a fine heirloom. the ghost chair will have a limited life.

I would have to vote yes on the Ghost Chairs. They work well with all sorts of dining table styles. I'm gonna vote a big "No" on the Jonathan Adler pillow. Not feeling it at all.

Probably the 'indestructable' Ghost Chair, it's a bit of classic already, and just because it seems to be the most sturdy of all the things. I love Tord Boontjes lamp, but once twisted/draped around, you probably will have to leave it that way, b/c it's hard to untangle (or so it seems).
Plus, except for the ghost chair, all these pieces are really strange things to pick as a heirloom. You really have to choose big and sturdy things, like furniture, a huge expensive lamp or a huge vase (not rugs and pillows and Boontje lamps!) for a more honest comparison.

i voted for the ghost chair too: a salesman in a kartell store once demonstrated the durability of the ghost chair to me: you can bend the legs or any other part over 90 degrees and they just snap right back and show no marks whatsoever! he did some more tricks with them which convinced me that those are truly meant to last a long time...

Why is Jonathan Adler so famous? I just don't get it. I very seldomly like anything he does and his stuff seems to be priced high because of his name. It never looks worth the price tag on it.

Anyway, I vote for the Ghost Chair. I've always loved em and I think they will last regardless of scratches. The T-Table is another fave of mine and I put it at close second.

Are you guys serious about that horrible lamp? It's a novelty piece whose novelty has already worn off.

Apparently, the writers at Real Simple have never heard of BDDW. Just about anything from their store would get my vote for heirloom quality.

For those who can't get enough of this parlor game, there's a book called Antiques of the Future, by Lisa Roberts. Highly recommended as a holiday gift.

I'm hoping it's the Madeline Weinribs!
We've got 2.

Oh - and the rugs are handmade I think.

Has anybody noticed that it is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to clean a Garland Light? It just gets dustier and dustier.