Wednesday, April 21, 2010

This Week's Top 5 Favorite 1stdibs Items: The Classics!

Every Monday on the Swank Lighting blog you can count on getting to read the story of a famous designer and see photos of their great work. We do this for entertainment, sure, but also for education. Not only impressive at dinner parties, knowing the design greats by heart can be massively useful when thrift shopping or visiting garage sales. You never know when you might stumble upon an original Eames piece---and knowing what it's worth will either get you a great deal or save you a ton of money. We've covered a number of famous designers---can you remember them all? From today's newest 1stdibs listings we've spotted a number of recognizable pieces. Time to quiz yourself!


1) Dunbar Settee
Not as famous as other contemporary designers, this furniture designer more than held his own among the bigger names, and the proof is in this gorgeous tufted leasther couch with the sculpted back. This piece would bring immediate style to a room. The designer...Edward Wormley!
Price: $14,000
Dealer: Converso


2) Extendable Dining Table for Singer & Sons
Designed in 1953 and made in Italy for Singer & Sons are your first three hints as to who the designer of this good-looking table with the sleek profile and tapered legs is. Need more help? This designer didn't just create furniture---he contributed much to the world of design and even design publications. It's Gio Ponti!
Price: $9,750
Dealer: 20th Century Interiors


3) Frenchman's Cove Round Table
The price on this table proves that its designer was prized for his skill and high-quality craftsmanship, and his style is very recognizable: natural woods, sturdy shapes and simple, clean lines. Give up? George Nakashima
Price: $38,000
Dealer: Wyeth


4) Early Edition Egg Chair
This is a pretty recognizable shape, but many people often mistake the designer for someone else (even us, sometimes). Though it's been created in many materials over the years, we love it when it's done in leather. Ready to guess the designer: Arne Jacobsen.
Price: contact dealer
Dealer: Galerie Half


5) Brazilian Rosewood Tulip Dining Table
Another incredibly recognizable piece, as well as one that has often been imitated. This designer, along with the rest of his design-talented family have also made huge contributions to sweeping modern architecture. It's the fun-to-say Eero Saarinen.
Price: $5,800
Dealer: Collage 20th Century Classics


Don't forget to check out the rest of
this week's listings from 1stdibs, where you can find more fabulous, one-of-a-kind show-stopping pieces, as well as a number of other great pieces!
 

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