You could purchase a pair of similar chairs from Overstock.com for the low low price of $199.99. You have to put these together and the site doesn’t say what type of wood us used for the legs. They come in a variety of colors as long as it’s white. I have to say, I was stunned at the number of knock-offs I found on this site.

So, which do you choose? Do you think you would fool anyone with the knock-off?

Exhibit A: Walter Platner’s ICONIC Coffee Table designed in the 1960′s. It retails at Hive Modern for $1,286 plus free shipping.

Exhibit B: Tonic Home’s Powell Coffee Table. It retails for $1,820 plus free shipping.

Hmm… Let’s see. So I can buy the real thing and save over $500? I think I’ve made up my mind. How about you?

First up, Tonic Home’s Mason Hammered Pendant Lamp (left). The smaller measures 10″ x 12 1/2″. The price is $285. Shipping is extra.

Next, the original Beat Series, (above and right) designed by Tom Dixon. It comes with a variety of shades. You can buy all of them at Nest, where the Fat style (9 1/2″ x 12″) sells for $237 (plus shipping from the UK). You can also find it in the US at Property Furniture.

This is no April Fool’s Day joke! Both look similar – one more rustic than the other. Which would you buy?

I designed two similar sets of draperies from both companies. Here are the details.

The tab-top curtains (on the left) are from Smith+Noble. They’re made with a 100% linen fabric (below, left), and are lined with a privacy lining. No details were given as to the fabric content. The tab-top curtains (on the right) are from The Natural Curtain Co. These are also made with a 100% linen fabric (below, right) and are lined in 100% cotton.

The price? Smith+Noble’s price is $692, which includes shipping within the contiguous US. The Natural Curtain Company’s curtains are $321. Add $98 for 2 – 4 day delivery to the US and the total price comes to $419.

The Natural Curtain Company wins by $273, or 40%.

Which would you buy?

Don’t answer yet! Here are some more details to help you decide. Both companies offer a free swatch service. Smith+Noble will give you ten. The Natural Curtain Co. sends six. Both have similar headings to choose from (though Smith+Noble has more) and both offer a variety of linings. Their return policies are the same and they both offer good customer support if you have questions.

However, I found three major differences (other than the price) worth noting:

Fabrics: On Smith+Noble’s side, they have a much larger selection of fabrics. The Natural Curtain Co. offers fewer choices, but I really liked them. they get an A+ on taste. Their natural fabrics are very well edited (see a small sampling, below). Both sites offer their fabrics by the yard.

Trims: Smith+Noble offers lots of trims and lots of ways to apply them. That’s a definite plus. The Natural Curtain Co. doesn’t have trim, but they will add a border if you call or email. Smith+Noble wins here.

Ease of Ordering: I have to say the The Natural Curtain Co’s site is extremely well organized and gets a solid PASS on this. They just need to add their prices in US dollars so customers don’t need to do their own conversion. Smith+Noble’s site was so confusing it made me jittery. Example? I assumed my curtains would be made as a pair. Not so on both sites. But TNC Co. (I’m getting tired of typing that long name) read my mind and asked me if I wanted a set or just one. I had to go searching at S+N to find the scoop.

Time to vote

Who wins? My vote (if you couldn’t guess) goes to The Natural Curtain Company. (And, just for the record, I’m not being paid for my rant/rave.) I might order a set of grommet-headed draperies for Chum Bucket from this company. I like their price and in a rental property that’s what rules.

How about you? Which company do you prefer?

On the left is a 3-drawer dresser from Maine Cottage. It comes in your choice of 40 colors, is made of maple. and retails for $1,990. Shipping is an additional $425. The total cost equals $2,415.

On the right is another 3-drawer dresser. This one from Furniturea. It comes in 24 colors, is also made of maple and the dimensions are similar. The price is $1,450. Shipping is $174. Total cost? $1,624.

The difference in cost is $791. Here are a couple of facts you should know. First, they’re both made by the same company – Furniturea. Second, you have to assemble the less expensive dresser.

Which one would you buy?

Editor’s Note: I was in error when I said the Furniturea dresser required assembly. It comes fully assembled. Sorry for my Brain Fail.

Wisteria’s Call-To-Dinner

Let’s start with the knock-off, on the left. The Call-To-Dinner chandelier is 18″ in diameter and is made of black metal. The flatware is “based on old hotel flatware”. It holds a single, A-lamp in the center. The retail price is $349.

Jos?© Esteves’ Brocante

The original is made in France of stainless steel with vintage flatware with a hand-applied patina. It comes in various sizes and with several tiers. This one is 20″ in diameter. The Brocante chandelier is available at int?©rieurs, located on Franklin St. in New York. It retails for $1,995.

Which would you buy?

There are a lot of issues here that drive designers, and the manufacturers of their work, crazy. Do you pay for the original, knowing that you have the real thing that a designer worked hard on and is made of better materials? Or, do you save a lot of money and buy the less substantial version? At what point is the real thing no longer worth the extra money?

Do you want to spend a lot of money? Sometimes it’s worth it. Sometimes not. You decide.

High: La Forge Francaise $1,999

La Forge Francaise designs and builts beautiful, hand-wrought furnishings, including this Belier firescreen. It’s completely customizable. La Forge Francaise is available through the trade.

Low: Target $149.99

Target offers up the Catarine firescreen for a mere $149.99. It has a faux oxidized finish.

The looks are similar. The quality is lightyears apart. Which one would you prefer? Is it better to save for the higher quality product? Maybe we could add it to our wish lists.

You can choose one on a Recessionista budget, or splurge a bit. Let’s take a look at a couple of high/low options. Shall we?

High Indian Duvet Cover: $450

First up is from Les Indiennes. Their French Grey Yvette king sized duvet is made of their lightest weight organic cotton, hand block printed with natural dyes. It’s made in India.

Low Indian Duvet Cover: $109.99

Our low option comes from Saffron Marigold. Their Paisley au Lait king sized duvet cover is also a hand blocked print made in India. The black print reverses to another pattern on the other side. The fabric is pre-shrunk cotton, though not organic.

Which do you choose?