DEMYSTIFYING COLLECTIBLE DESIGN
What is collectible design and why does it matter?
Quality, timelessness, artistry and value. Collectible design embodies all these things and elevates our everyday lives into artful living. The term encompasses all aspects of interiors, including furniture, lighting, ceramics and art. Here at the Scale Collective we focus on working with our clients to create, design and procure these pieces that are not only functional, but add value to their day to day lives, and even appreciate in value over time. Much like a vintage sports car, these pieces are not only made to last, they are designed to be timeless. In a world of constantly changing trends, it’s grounding to have items that can become heirloom pieces for your collection.
Retail vs. collectible design: durability and sustainability
Most retail is not made to the standard or quality of materials and craftsmanship that a collectible piece is made. The New York Times put out an article on this very subject talking about the trend of ‘fast furniture’ and how much it clogs up landfills. There was an uptick of this trend during the pandemic, and many of these pieces from Ikea or Wayfair are only really meant to last about five years. The article mentions that “Each year, Americans throw out more than 12 million tons of furniture, creating mountains of solid waste that have grown 450% since 1960.” Deana McDonagh, a professor of industrial design at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign says: “I relate to fast furniture like I do to fast food,” Ms. McDonagh said. “It’s empty of culture, and it’s not carrying any history with it.”
What do focus on if your new to collectible design
Focus on pieces that you love and bring you joy every time you look at them or use them. Focus on pieces that are well designed, timeless and most of all well constructed. The combination of these elements is what sets certain pieces apart. A piece that is well constructed can be repaired or reupholstered or passed down as an heirloom item. If resold they usually retain a significant amout of their value - much more than retail pieces.
Here are our top 5 collectible sofas and why we love them:
This sofa has been in production for over 50 years and manages to look like it was just designed yesterday. Having almost a japanese or scandinavian feel, it was actually designed by an italian architect. A great option for smaller spaces, it sits lower to the ground but has a firmer cushion for those who like great support. We love this so much that we chose it for our Beverly Hills Penthouse. Best Thing about it: all of the covers are completely removable for easy cleaning!
Pierre Bénard, Augustin Deleuze and Nina Rose are making modern furniture in Paris that feel like classics. That’s because they have an homage to Danish mid century and French furniture when it started to turn soft and modern in the 1930’s through 60’s. This curved sofa comes in several lengths, and although it looks like it wouldn’t be, it’s one of the most comfortable curved sofas you can sit in. What sets this apart from other cheaper options are the lines in the upholstery, or lack thereof. There are hardly any seams on the sofa making this more a study of sculpture and form made to be inhabitable by the human body. The versatility of this piece in both modern and very traditional architectural spaces makes it a stand out.
This sectional can be positioned in a variety of ways and reconfigured because it’s modular parts that you decide on and configure: has different back pieces, arm and seats - Think tetris but a sofa. It has both a modern look and a connection to lounge conversational sofas of the 1970s. We used it in our Translucence House project because it also comes in an option for outdoor use! Perfect if you want to restyle and reconfigure your space for fun, for events or if you move. We love flexible furniture. Note that it’s a chunkier version of its predesessor: Marechiaro, designed in 1976 by Mario Marenco.
The design duo of Emilia Gonzalez and Jessie Young is based out of LA via Uruguay and produces pieces that are both modern yet timeless. This sofa is both clean but soft at the same time. It has a nod to Art Deco and Art Nouveau, but reimagined. We like that it is extra deep and a little low slung. So while it’s sculptural, it gives it the ability to be a place to lounge and relax, and curl your feet up (which is what a great sofa lets you do). Shown in mohair, which makes it feel luxurious, you can imagine how changing the fabric type and fabric pile would change the entire feel of this piece.
This is one of the most flexible pieces of furniture you could ever buy, and one of the most iconic. It bends to whatever shape you desire and can be cinfigured many different ways. Each piece is a module and you simply decide the length of the sofa and how many modules you’d like, and you can change the shape to your liking. Incredibly comfortable, but sculptural, the sofa is also in the Guinness World Record for the longest sofa in the world.
Is it ever OK to buy a replica?
We don’t condone it and it’s not ideal, but if you have a temporary space, a furnished property rental, a workspace, or want to try out a version of it while you save up for the real thing, it’s OK. Keep in mind that the way the sofa is made: meaning the type of frame, the way it’s filled and upholstered will be at a vastly different quality than the real piece, and will only last a short time. However, we recognize there may be instances where 3-5 years of durability may be okay. We prefer you to wait and experience the real thing.