It's not the highbrow/lowerbrow dichotomy that offends me, but the almost-matching quality of the look. It's like when you have this really cool brown couch and you're out shopping and you find this really cool brown and green pillow and you bring it home and the browns are really close, but don't match. And you love the pillow so you try to make it work, but it just doesn't and your friend/SO finally makes you donate the pillow to good will when you move!

Buy eight chairs that match and spend the extra money on an authentic piece for the living room. I guess if you inherited the authentic pieces, this might be ok, but even then I'd pair them with a completely different style of chair to make them stand out.

It's a good way to compare and to see if the authentic pieces are really higher quality than the knockoffs.

It's her summer house! sigh

I agree with lurker. Just get something else that's original but cheaper if you can't afford the authentic stuff. I can't see how anyone can condone knock-offs anymore than they can condone stealing of anything else.

I love a high-low mix in everything- my music collection, the TV I watch (Jeopardy followed by Girls Next Door), my wardrobe (Mossimo by Target jeans with Louboutins anyone?), etc. I adore high-low mixes in the home too- a flea market credenza next to Saarinen marble table, a $6,000 painting next to a print from Etsy....

however, I wouldn't do the chair mix as shown above. To me it is just too "one of these things is not like the other" and points out the obvious disconnect.

How are those floors finished. They are beautiful!

Hans Wegner died last year (and the design is about 60 years old), so technically both sources are producing the design without passing along anything to the original designer. At what point does a design "ethically" pass into the public domain? Or do the rights to an original design entitle a company to market the piece at high cost forever?

Anyway, as far as aesthetic goes, if the reproductions and authentics are different colors, the subtle differences fade away and the combination looks quite intentional.

The interiors of this house bugged me.

I actually LOVE that the chairs don't match. Beyond budget, I think this may have been a design decision. Regardless, it softens the formality of the dinner table and adds interest to the space.

I'm more concerned about the sofa at the head of the table. This room feels awkward.

The sofa isn't at the head of the table, it's about 10 back against the wall. The image is a little distorted.

Yes, obviously it's 10 feet back against the wall. It's an awkward arrangement.

I have not looked at the article, but I am willing to guest that this was not a cost decision but a design choice.

If I am correct, I really have not problem with the choice.

I really like the ladder. Where would one find something like that?

I really don't see how a knock-off equals theft. Most of the people who buy knock-offs can't afford the originals, so it's not like the original designer is losing sales. Especially if the designer is long-dead.

I don't see the point of mixing in two originals with knock-offs, unless maybe you put the originals at the head and foot of the table.

i look at it like clothing. depending on the year, almost everything ends up being inspired by one or 2 designers in one way or another. i mean, take marc jacobs... if i wear my marc jacobs dress w/ some shoes rom bcbg that were inspired by his round toe vintage collection a few years ago, it still works. but what about the marc jacob dress? isn't it inspired/knocked off of the original dresses from the 40s? yes. being an artist i understand the issue, but everything is inspired by something.

i have several authentic pieces in my studio & i mix them w/ knockoffs from ikea & target. so what? it keeps my place from looking like a time capsule. i say it's just fine as long as it's inspired by & not a direct copy. i'd rather get a cheap bag from target than have one of those fake LV bags.

*<3 THE LADDER

I agree..the sofa looks strange and awkward.

I dont see the importance of having the authentics at all. If you like the look, and it's availible cheaper, why not? Why spend absurds amount of money on something you KNOW can be sold for less and made for FRACTIONS of the price.

I dont understand why someone would pay thousands of dollars for something. I find it kinda...insulting (?)... that some brands or names think they are worth so much money to the public.

When things can be sold for less and made for fractions of the price the quality of the product is not comparable to the original.
I am however not against knock-off's, but I'm not sure that I like the mix of both - I think the original Wegner chair or knock-off's mixed with a different style chair would be a better choice.