There's some new stuff at Crate & Barrel and this media wall unit caught our attention for its mid-century styling and obvious Scandinavian influence. It's odd to see a new interpretation of the Danish teak wall units that are still so popular. This is especially true when the new design costs more than the original...
Is something amiss? By itself, the Clybourn Media Stand is very similar to the Giulia Media Credenza from Design Within Reach. It's a modern credenza that's been outfitted to reflect the needs of contemporary media equipment (drawers designed specifically to hold CDs and DVDs, sliding doors to hide components). With the Clybourn Hutch, the whole thing loses all appeal and becomes a retro joke. Would you agree?
The Clybourn Media Stand is $1100 and the Clybourn Media Stand and Hutch is $2200.
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Comments (12)
Aaron, I tend to agree, and I'd never buy it when there are so many vintage options. However, there are people who don't like owning used furniture. Crate and barrel makes it easy to have a general "look" without the pre-owned-ness.
macy's put out a bedroom furniture collection that's mid-century inspired too.
To buy a beautiful mid-century inspired piece like that and then plop that gray plastic monstrosity down on it is the joke.
Holy crap...that main photo of the unit presented as shelving (with the wine glasses, etc.) gave me warm feelings. I remember when everyone's house had that type of shelving in one form or another (I was a wee lad in the seventies). I wish I had an extra wall in my loft just to have one so I can get that warm feeling whenever I look at it. I'm totally not kidding about this.
No I don't agree.
The DWR version doesn't look any better and costs nearly four times as much.
The DWR version is the real joke here.
i like them both but WHY must all pieces like this come in dark woods????
If this trend for mid-mod reproductions help wean the style-challenged away from the faux "farmhouse" look we've been drowing in since the 90s, I say BRAVO!
It's not all that bad, although it is too dark for all the mass - it sort of looms! It needs a more modern finish that makes it clear it isn't 'a retro joke', like a light oak or a white lacquer. It looks like something I'd either pass up when thrifting, or want to refinish, and I bet it's less well built.
I wish the hutch was the same width as the cabinet. It kinda just looks a little too "plopped" on there.
At least it's real walnut and it's not that awful "chocolate" or faux wenge "wood-like substance" peddled by everyone else. I really like this new collection! It's retro, but not not in a kitschy way.
I wouldn't call it a "retro joke" -- Honestly, what are you supposed to do if you love Danish Modern but (like most people nowadays) you have heavy, bulky "media center" components that need housing?
Seems like this could mingle fairly easily with "real" pieces, and not require one to cut out the back of a lovely antique to accommodate wires, ventilation, etc.
white lacquer? gag.
agreed that the hutch needs to be the same width. As is, it's unbalanced. I could see using the hutch alone.
If this is made from real wood, you could finish it any color you want, which is nice.