ISO50

Most people don’t realize that if you go through Herman Miller directly, they give discounts for designers. I’m not sure of the discount for Graphic Designers (or if there is one) but I know they give discounts for Industrial Designers, Interior Designers, and Architects. For example, Architects get a 44% discount!

I’ve been able to buy a couple Eames Shell chairs. You should look into it.

I’m not your momma, but I’m not splurging on anything right now. The economy is just way too hectic right now.

That said, I completely agree with buying furniture that will last you a lifetime. Stuff from Herman Miller (DWR goods probably fall into this category as well) are going to last you a good long time.

However, I used to share office space with someone who designed for HM in the past, and said that they overprice their goods. While they are often fantastically beautiful and functional, you have to wonder whether the prices are too bloated.

well the only things in my flat that have not fallen apart or rusted are made by vitra or herman miller. I now always save up and wait a while before i buy anything. Its really worth saving for one great piece of furniture when you can afford it.

that said ikea etc.. do do some great basics, its easy to become snobbish!

Fabulous. Herman Miller is considered “iconic” for obvious reasons…their quality is matchless…I know, I’ve been around office furniture for a while and all I know is the Aeron is one of the best and this site officedesigns.com always is having big sales around this time for Herman Miller stuff.

Although i love these and want so many different ones, if you buy one of these… You have way to much money, or your priorities are all fucked… Especially in a time like now.

I hate to get off topic here, but I wanted to post a reply in regards to Asango’s Walmart comments. I agree with your comments to buying poorly made stuff, and whenever possible I buy high quality furniture, or even vintage finds.

However, Walmart is not really to blame for anything. As a designer, trust me, I try to avoid that place like avoiding the flu. However, since I design products that go to retail, I have come to terms with the fact that a large, very large percentage of people who buy things are upper-lower class to lower-middle class, and are buying things based on affordability.

Being involved with those retailers, I can tell you that Walmart takes a much lower margin on their goods than pretty much every other retailer out there. There are many products in their stores that would last you a lifetime.

People need to understand, that we need low quality affordable goods made in other countries, otherwise no one in the lower class could afford a damn thing.

i agreed with ed. yeah, you might not find a barcelona chair, a wassily chair, a nelson marshmallow sofa, among a few other iconic pieces in ikea anytime soon, but ikea does mass produce a lot of other iconic furinture at affordable prices.

of course your probably thinking, yeah but the quality’s not the same. i understand. but if you want quality you’re just gonna have to save up. with ikea, at least you can afford the design. the only real problem i’ve had with ikea has been with there screws. the screws always strip when i’m put the furniture together. is frustrating but i learned and i use better screws whenever i have the right size. and i’m sure some of you would say that the wood looking veneer scratches up on you, but i haven’t had that problem yet (i take good care of the furniture).

as far as indulging on pricier stuff, i say if its a piece you really like and you know there’s no chance of finding another like it, then splurge (if its within your means). especially, if its a design you know will stand the test of time (modernism, minimalism, and international style all the way! i love clean lines). if the piece is timeless, then i think it’s definitely worth it. i personally think the Cognita is a good investment. also, there’s a lot of great affordable vintage furniture out there. you just gotta look.

like ed said, mix it up. it makes rooms a lot more interesting when furniture is not all matchy matchy. i’ve yet to buy furniture thats a set. i like exploring all my options, then buying what i like here and there and piecing them together. the important thing to remember when spending is that it’s all cohesive and complementary of each other in the end.

I recently purchased the Nelson Miniature Chest of drawers and was very disappointed by the poor build quality. The laminate was poorly applied; edges were ragged; glue was smeared everywhere and the drawer fronts were different thicknesses. I returned it and found the same problems with two subsequent replacements. I ordered the piece through an online store but the shipments came directly from HM. When I went to the store in person to discuss the quality issues, I took a look at the lifework stuff. While it is beautifully designed, like the Nelson Chest, it is poorly constructed. I am not exaggerating when I say that Ikea, while they use lower grade materials, achieve a better fit and finish.