Getting the look has never been so easy or cost effective, thanks to the plethora of great designer copies on the market. interiors expert Alison Cork shares her list of top UK retailers offering affordable designer style.
Achica
Mirroring the successful American concept, Achica is an online private members club where you can participate in timed sales of top brand homeware at up to 70% off. A veritable designer fest.
Blue Sun Tree
A recent discovery, Blue Sun Tree is a terrific site packed with designer deals, including the ever lovely Panton S chair in fibreglass for under £100 and in plastic for under £50.
Fantastic Furniture
Jacobsen, Knoll, Corbusier, Eames – you’ll find them all here at about half the rrp. But if you do happen to see it cheaper elsewhere, Fantastic Furniture promise they will beat that other quote. So what have you got to lose?
Fat Fingers
The great thing about designers is that their names are so easily mispelt – that’s where Fat Fingers comes in. The cheekily named site will find all of the relevant Ebay listings with typos that often go unfound and finish with no bids. Try your luck and you might bag a bargain.
Homesense
If it’s modern day brands that turn you on, take a look at the interiors arm of TK Maxx; here you’ll find a daily changing and eclectic range of brands at up to 60% off the rrp – and over 33,000 items in a typical store.
Iconic Lights
Has a great selection including the 1960s retro Midi Arco Floor Lamp with solid white marble base, at just £70. A swooping gesture that would add elegance to any room. Also look out for the Cawardine Angle Floor Lamp.
Interiors Icons
Has a fabulous selection of classics at really competitive prices. The Eeero Aarnio Ball Chair for example, retails at just £399.99. The Eileen Gray inspired Bibendum Chair is just £299.
Italian Classics Direct
www.italianclassicsdirect.co.uk
Another great outlet for all the big names – grab yourself a sleek black Le Corbusier sofa for £499, or a Barcelona daybed for £599 – and there’s come gorgeous Eames office furniture on the site too.
Living It Up
Very cool modern furniture with a particularly strong garden section, which features the highly desirable Bow Hammock for just £139.
Vertigo Interiors
One of my favourite sites for classic reproductions – and one of the cheapest – find Isamu Noguchi, Saarinen and Aarnio amongst others, at about 25% less than the competition. The iconic Noguchi coffee table sells for just £149.99.
