What I don't get is the Law stating that Knockoffs of Beautiful, Pricey Furniture must be inferior--in this case in terms of the lines and proportions. Why? Just LOOK at the elegant lines on the red, almost 5K one! The green one's lines are Eh, well, I guess. . . .

Got the catalog. Love Petie Boudoir or Boutique or whatever.

Because labor isn't free.
Because to mass produce something, you have to cut corners.
Because when you are *not* mass producing something, you can't amortize your price points over a huge line, and get volume discount on things like warehousing and shipping.

And most likely because you cannot copy something exactly.

The red Conran version just takes itself too seriously. It looks very serious, very un-ironic and full of itself. The Brocade Home version is clearly a tongue-in-cheek modern take on that stuffy old bomb chest sorta thing, but without all of that serious gingerbread. I don't think it's due to labor costs, mass production issues or cutting corners. It's a fresh, new take on an old convention. By design.

I do applaud anyone who can actually make pieces like this work in a room. It takes a very specific kind of setting to pull it off. It all gets kitschy very, very easily in the wrong hands...

hejiranyc--
The Conran piece is actually more of a tangerine in person, and sooo does not take itself seriously (again, in person)

The Brocade version looks like the love child of a Florentine matchy-bedroom set and an Avocado green refrigerator.

Actually, Betsbillabong, you can... if the design is unlicensed.

I think what makes the Conran dresser modern and original is the application of the bright color and shine to a serious, antique-y looking piece. All that is lost in the knock offs, with their odd proportions, bulbousness, and modern looking feet. They remind me of the Disney store. The Brocade versions miss the whole point.

I think AT should do a series showing an original designer (i.e., expensive) piece and a (much) cheaper version, and without identifying either, have people vote on which one they think is the original (or the more expensive one). You could then post the answer the next day. This pair would have worked nicely, and also the DWR Bantam vs. Macy's sofa post earlier today. This could be kind of like the "High and Low" column that Met Home runs. It would be interesting to see how many people would get it right.

i have found a few dressers similar to this at flea markets and have refinished them. the shape of the brocade dressser is very different than the orange one, so i am not sure why (other than a hi/low thing) you are even comparing. not sure why the orange one is worth $5k anyway...

The Brocade one looks like cheap plastic that belongs in Beetlejuice's home. It doesn't look too bad in the white. The Poldo one is a beautiful piece but the color is horrific.