Glenfiddich has a bottle of whisky that sells for $94,000 a bottle. So obviously it isn't the best you can buy. It's one of the best but not the best. That's assuming in the world of whisky you equate cost with quality. In case you're running out to pick up a few things this afternoon and you're curious about it, it's called Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve, 1955 and even though you think it might, Walmart doesn't carry it.
Apparently it has flavour notes of Orange blossom and violets folded into toasted almonds with a modicum of smoke. At $94,000 for a bottle of this Scottish whisky I'm going to leap, skip and jump to the assumption that it also comes with an orange grove, violet field, almond plantation, castle containing several smokey fireplaces and of course ... Sean Connery. Even though he's like 90.
I drink the odd bit of whisky but I don't need to drink a $94,000 bottle of it. I can't afford the best and honestly, I'm sure I wouldn't appreciate it. I'll leave the best whiskys for those who are far superior drunks than I am.
I also don't believe in buying the "best" when it comes to all my furniture, clothes or even my food. My couch is a piece of crap, but it has half decent style and it's lasted 10 years so far. I buy 85% of my clothing in stores that have shopping carts (not something you typically see in Gucci or Chanel) but it all has good style. I don't buy high end milk, hipster protein bars and I like a lot of store brand products that are copies of originals. Like store brand Windex, or fake Magic Erasers. They're half the price and work just fine for me.
But sometimes, the odd time, you really are better off buying something that is the best. The original. You might not be able to buy it right away, you might have to save for it and make due for a decade, but eventually buying the best, the original, is the right decision.
What I'm about to tell you about, isn't one of those times.
I've loved the iconic Eames lounge chair since I saw it sitting in Frasier's apartment in 1993.
It's an original. The Eames chair is one of those classic Mid Century Modern pieces that every hipster seems to think they need to own (or at least a copy of it). I also really like non-iconic Mid Century Modern chairs because they're a little bit cheaper than the the most popular pieces and a bit less ... I don't know ... desperate?
The problem is, those iconic pieces are usually iconic for a reason. The womb chair for instance is supposed to be the most comfortable chair in the world. But I'm so sick of looking at it in every magazine, commercial and blog I don't think I want one.
And the Papa Bear chair is also an iconic original that's supposed to be unbelievably comfortable, but it's just too big for my space. I've seen and sat in an original Papa Bear Chair and I even felt like the back was a little bit hard.
Funny eh? The Papa Bear chair was just too hard. And a lot of the other chairs I've seen just aren't fitting the bill for some reason.
What I'm actually looking for is a chair to go in my living room beside my fireplace that won't take up a huge amount of space, isn't $5,000 and carries over some of the Mid Century Modern from my foyer into my living room. Which leads me back to the Eames Lounger. Even though I like it, it has a footstool. Even though I like it, it's $5,000.
But, BUT this story gets even more interesting. In the 60s', furniture company Plycraft started knocking off the Eames lounge chair. In fact, their knock off designer, George Muhlhouser ended up making a name for himself with beautifully designed chairs of his own. His Mr. Chair was every bit as beautiful as the more celebrated chairs of his contemporaries.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
But again, to be truly comfortable it has to be used with its footstool which I just don't have the room for.
All this obsessive research into chairs led me to this ... the Plycraft knockoff of the Eames lounge chair as designed by George Muhlhouser.
It's not quite as nicely proportioned as the Eames version. And the bent plywood shows the screws holding it together, as opposed to the Eames which has all hardware hidden.
But this copy has something that the original never had. It's a recliner.
It has a space saving, BUILT IN FOOTREST.
Which of course eliminates any need for a footstool, making this Eames copy in my opinion, better than the original. For my purposes anyway. It swivels, reclines and ... reclines some more.
Muhlhouser also made a more straight forward knock off of the Eames chair that included a regular chair and traditional footstool but this version with the built in footstool is perfect. For me.
So ...
Feel free to keep your eye out for me. I know a LOT of you did that when you knew I was looking for a tulip table but this ... this is far more elusive than the tulip table because they're much rarer. The reason for that is this is a vintage knock off chair I'm looking for. And believe it or not no one made a knock off of this knock off, so there are only the few originals that were made decades ago out there on the loose. No one has manufactured it or copied it since the 70's.
And even better, even though some high end sites like 1stDibs or Chairish sell it for over $1,000 when they get one, most people on Kijiji or Ebay sell them for around $450.
That allows money leftover to buy lots and lots of books for when I'm reclining in my reading chair with a glass of ... a good, but not the best, bottle of whisky.
Have a good weekend!
kristi albin
So, obviously you have found your fireplace reading chair. But just in case you’re interested- I have these four chairs that I found at a thrift store and was thinking May be selling but I really do love them. My husband put them on Facebook marketplace without my knowledge just because he was curious (He is really trying to talk me into taking them to Antiques Roadshow the next time we they come to Texas but, I’m not convinced) and currently my hubby is pressuring to considering an offer for $800. I really do love these chairs and would definitely rather see someone with a passion and have them , as I suspect he will never give me a moments peace until I sell them !!
This really is my most impressive find, as I am incredibly...thrifty. or is my husband says “cheap”
pic upon request
Karen
They're very nice! If they were the pretzel version I might be tempted! You should check them to see if they're originals or copies. I can't see in the photo well enough plus don't know enough about Cherner construction to be able to tell. A Plycraft sticker would indicate real. ~ karen!
kristi albin
So, obviously you have found your fireplace reading chair. But just in case you’re interested- I have these four chairs that I found at a thrift store and was thinking May be selling but I really do love them. My husband put them on Facebook marketplace without my knowledge just because he was curious (He is really trying to talk me into taking them to Antiques Roadshow the next time we they come to Texas but, I’m not convinced) and currently my hubby is pressuring to considering an offer for $800. I really do love these chairs and would definitely rather see someone with a passion and have them , as I suspect he will never give me a moments peace until I sell them !!
This really is my most impressive find, as I am incredibly...thrifty. or is my husband says “cheap”
Teresa lang
Hi Karen, I have an Origional plycraft recliner for sale for $300 in Florida.
IIt has the original mustard colored vinyl upholstery in very good vintage condition - a little faded, after probably fifty some years, but no tears or punctures on the seat (there is a small tear on the inside base of the arm that I never even noticed)
I am not a dealer and have no idea about shipping, but I’d be glad to work with you, if you figure everything out!
Karen
HI Teresa. Thank you so much for contacting me! Sadly, I bought an Eames chair just this summer! I do love it though, so it isn't too sad a story. ;) Thanks again. ~ karen!
Marisa Ramirez Stukey
I’m so glad I came across this site. My parents had this Plycraft in tan with the built in footrest. I’d LOVE to find one for myself! Let me know if you have any leads!
Craig
In 1979 I bought one of these Eames replica recliners new at a furniture store warehouse sale (Woodward and Lothrop if you remember them in the Washington, DC area) for $90 because they thought it had a broken recliner mechanism. Being a backyard car mechanic I quickly diagnosed that 2 bolts had fallen out and couple more were loose. Got it home, repaired and used it for 5 years until my new wife wanted it out of the house. Sold it to a friend for $50.
Karen
I wonder if that friend still has it and wants to sell it, lol. ;) ~ karen!
Craig
I wonder too, but we could not find him 9 years ago for a reunion of folks from where we used to work together back in the 80s.
toby
...i have the exact chair you are looking for. id even made it to a german tv show trying to sell it.
the professionel salesmen didn´t meet my offer, so now i am keeping it at my shop and will do my powernapping on it. good luck on your hunt!
if you want to see this beautyfull recliner here is the link: https://youtu.be/ZqxyoiUakpQ
Karen
Yes, that's the exact chair, lol! Love it. It's perfect. ~ karen!
Bill
Hello Justin,
I'm looking for one of these to restore for my house. I know Karen has first dibs, but I'd be interested if she can't make it work. She has my email address as I just sent it to her.
- Thx - Bill
Justin
I have one of these chairs, it needs to be re-upolstered, i just never got around to it. can you contact me and i can get some photos of it for you, its at my parents lakehouse.
Karen
Hi Justin! Upholstering one of these is quite a job! Very ambitious of you! If you're in the States it might be difficult for me to get the chair. :) (I'm in Canada) But send me a few photos if you have them. Thx. ~ karen! karen@theartofdoingstuff.com
Ei Con
Saw one on eBay today. They're asking more than your price but they've got no bids either. Maybe you can negotiate. http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/182531461384
Karen
Ha! That guy saw my plea for one and emailed me giving me first dibs on that chair a couple of weeks ago. I thanked him but told him it was WAY overpriced for the condition it was in and the two tone was going to be a hard sell. He was trying to sell it to me for $1,500!!! As if. ~ karen!
Carrollyn d Navarro
I think I may have found your chair!! But you must hurry!!Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair with Ottoman
THURSDAY, MARCH 30TH 2017 @ 7:30PM EDT
10 HOURS LEFT
Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair with OttomanArrow left lightArrow right light 1 / 10
ITEM DETAILS
A Mid Century Modern lounge chair with ottoman. This pair features espresso colored leather cushions with button tufting, fixed to maple finished wood bases. The headrest is elevated on chrome toned rods, above the backrest. The seat has raised sides, with padded armrests attached. The chair stands on a metal base with four chrome toned legs forming an “X”. The ottoman repeats the look, with a button tufted cushion, maple finish base, and chrome finish legs forming an “X”.
Please note, this is an item that may be especially difficult to move and/or transport. Unless shipping arrangements are available and made by the winning bidder, that individual is responsible for, and advised to bring, appropriate assistance, vehicle, and any necessary tools to pickup.
VIEW TERMS & CONDITIONS
CONDITION
Fair
- significant wear to leather, scuffs, frame has a few scratches and rust, button missing from footstool upholstery, chair missing a foot.
DIMENSIONS
32.0" W x 36.0" H x 23.0" D
- measured chair.
ITEM #
16CLT095-496
CATEGORIES
CHAIRS FURNITURE OTTOMANS, FOOTSTOOLS, AND POUFS
CURRENT BID:
$230
PLACE BID
32 BIDS (VIEW HISTORY)
LEARN ABOUT BIDDING
ITEM LOCATION: BLUE ASH, OH
SHIPPED TO 22553
$150.45
PICK IT UP
FREE
Karen
Thanks Carrollyn, but you didn't tell me where the auction was, lol. So I didn't know where to search for it online. Thank you so much though! ~ karen
Carrollyn
Last time I cut and paste. The site is EBTH as in Everything But The House.
Gail Dedrick
Karen, use one and sell the other ... http://www.ebay.com/itm/162441552298?ul_noapp=true
Karen
I saw those the other day Gail!! The one is in great shape the other one, not so much, lol. Great colour too. ~ karen!
Shauna Henry
Do you need a trip to San Diego? https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/fud/6020194019.html
Karen
Beautifullllll. ~ karen!
Magali
I love mid-century chairs SO much!
One of my friends used to live in a fancy loft and she found a classic Eames chair by the garbage container one day! No need to say that she snatched it up!
Oriah
Good luck on your chair hunting challenge. Somehow, vintage MCM chairs just "come to me." I picked up what i believe to be an authentic Eames lounge chair and ottoman for $65. One button was missing off each piece. I found them in a barn. Dust was included in the purchase price. I also found a vintage Joseph Hoffman bentwood & cane chair with arm rests for $10. Unfortunately i now want at least 3 more. But my favorite score was a matched pair of club chairs with external oak frames for $60.
I will keep any eye out for this chair for you. I have a way with seating.....
Oriah
The official name of the Hoffman chair is the Prague chair.
Jan in Waterdown
Hey KB, have you read this? Just found it and made me think there's still hope for you!
http://www.desertdomicile.com/2015/08/plycraft-eames-lounge-chair.html
Karen
Yes, lol. Didn't you recognize the pictures from that particular blog on my site? I link to it in my own post. :) ~ karen!
Jan in Waterdown
Doh. 🙄
and on a different note, any idea why my name and email addy no longer automatically appear when I reply? No biggie, just have to enter them every time . . .
Jan in Waterdown
Ok, this is weird. My name appears if I use Safari but not on Chrome. I am IT challenged.
Barb
Just a thought, I'm sure you know the place, but in case you don't... Antique Avenue (Ottawa Street) they sometimes have the 'craziest' MCM pieces in their collection. They could keep an eye out for you. It's always a fun trip down 'memory lane' in there!
Charlene
Once you find your chair, may I recommend a bottle of Angel's Envy. It is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey finished in port wine barrels. Smooth. Even has angel wings engraved on the back of the bottle.
Smooth....like your website. Working great on my iPad now. Thanks so much!!!!
Tracy Gaydos
I don't have that one but I have 2 other plycraft leather chairs- one small, one large. Would you like to see them?
Karen
Sure Tracy, I'd love to see them. But honestly, I'm pretty sold on the Plycraft Eames knockoff with built in footrest. :) Pics can be sent to: karen@theartofdoingstuff.com ~ karen!
attygreen13
I have this chair! In black, in great condition (just had it re-upholstered). You can't have it, but I will confirm that it is comfy as hell. A bit wider than the version that doesn't recline, but so awesome. I'd never seen one before when i ran into ours and forked over the $500 or so for it, plus another several hundred to recover, but it's great and totally worth it. Good luck on your search, Karen! I'll keep an eye out in Texas for another, in case you're in the shipping mood ;)
Karen
Lucky you! And you know I actually don't think it would be a lot of money to ship it on a bus. I'd totally do that if I found the right one. I would just have it shipped to Niagara Falls and drive over and pick it up. :) ~ karen!
Arlene Stopps
I saw a chair at Millionaire's Daughter and actually took a picture of it for you. I showed it to pink tool belt. And she said you would have loved it. I was too embarrassed to send it to you. I think it's great to have scouts out the for you! Good luck!!
Alena
I didn't even know there was a knockoff that comes as a recliner. Even better!!! Good luck with the hunt!