White sells look-alikes of 20th century design heavy-hitters at low prices.
The prices are low, low, super-low next to the cost of licensed pieces sold at stores like Design Within Reach.
For comparison: Saarinen-style marble top tables for $795.(DWR = $2845.). Nelson-style benches for $245.(DWR = $779.). The whopper is a copy of the Eames La Chaise for $1250 (DWR = $7330).
Shops such as White get us thinking...the licensed reproductions vs. the knock-offs, the quality of materials used, respect for the intellectual property of the designers, love of good design fitting into a reasonable budget. Interesting issues.
Great resource! Thank you!
As a designer myself, I'm offended by the existence of a place like this. But seeing as how I am also a "financially challenged" designer, White's not too bad (look at all the other stores selling knockoffs around Chicago). I guess at the end of the day, I wouldn't shop here. I'd rather save and get the real thing...even if it takes a few more years to get that (authentic, licensed)Arc Lamp or Saarinen table.
Also--I've noticed that the quality of what they offer is questionable, so if anyone considers purchasing from White, they should inspect it *very carefully*
.........Don't go there.........
Most of the furniture is made in Turkey and China, the quality is less then desirable. If you do visit the store, check the padding/filling material in the upholstered pieces for odd hard spots and a fibrous feel; thatÂ’s a sign of poor fill material. Also check for any stress fractures in the molded plastic shells, cheep plastics will crack very quickly. On many of the chrome legs/arms you can begin to see flaking. Lastly look at the leather, in many cases they have used Pig's skin rather then Cow Hide Leather, it will feel hard slick and stiff... I was once interested in the prospect of buying from White but after evaluating there product you are much better off looking for sales, closeouts, and auctions of the real stuff. Think of it this way, is your signature yours if someone else is the one that signed it?
You will not be impressed when you go in person, it's a showroom/storage facility with most of the space devoted to storage. We went to look at a couch and we had to ask them to unwrap it to look at even though it was one that was out for display.