As someone who has obsessively followed interior design trends for over a decade, I‘ve witnessed firsthand the recent explosion in popularity of mid-century modern decor. That timeless, retro-chic look blending clean lines, gentle curves, and natural materials has adorned the pages of Dwell, Elle Decor, and Architectural Digest as much as it has the Instagram feeds of influencers.
When my partner and I purchased our own home last year, I knew a MCM aesthetic was the perfect fit for our personalities and lifestyles. However, sourcing authentic mid-century pieces can be both time-consuming and budget-busting.
That‘s when a designer friend introduced me to Barcelona Designs – an online retailer crafting high-fidelity reproductions of iconic mid-century furniture. As I dug into reviews and testimonials, I realized Barcelona Designs could be the ideal solution for creating my own MCM oasis without breaking the bank.
Overview of Barcelona Designs
Founded in 2010 by childhood friends James Eletto and Wade Weiss, Barcelona Designs sought to make mid-century modern style accessible to a wider demographic. As Wade recounted during my tour of their Los Angeles showroom, "We wanted to honor legendary designers like Eames and Nelson while also letting regular folks – not just celebrities or the ultra rich – enjoy their iconic pieces."
And that vision seems to have struck a chord. Since those early days operating out of their apartments, Barcelona Design has blossomed into one the internet‘s leading destinations for MCM replicas. They‘ve expanded to a 30,000 square foot production facility in Industry, CA and opened two retail showrooms.
As James told me, "We sold over 5,000 chairs last years alone. Our growth has exceeded 200% annually since 2015." He credits social media for boosting demand. "Platforms like Instagram have exposed an entire new generation to mid-century style."
And the numbers support his claims. According to Statista, the US mid-century furniture market has ballooned to over $11 billion annually and continues its upward trajectory. Searches for "mid century modern furniture" have grown 300% since 2018 according to Google Trends data.
Barcelona Designs caters to this surging interest by offering a carefully curated collection of replicas focused on the 1950s and 60s. Their site organizes pieces into three categories:
Iconic Design Reproductions – This section features painstaking recreations of landmark mid-century designs, including:
- Barcelona Chair
- Eames Lounge Chair
- Noguchi Table
- Womb Chair
- Nelson Marshmallow Sofa
Modern Classics – Next comes contemporary pieces clearly inspired by MCM pioneers but with their own unique flair:
- Clark Lounge Chair
- Bowery Sofa
- Layne Dining Table
Complementary Furnishings – No room is complete without accent furniture like:
- Lighting fixtures
- Ottomans
- Shelving units
- Rugs
This carefully edited assortment provides plenty of mix-and-match possibilities for those trying to nail that "Mad Men" aesthetic. And Barcelona Designs delivers it all at a reasonable price point compared to other MCM retailers.
Unboxing My Barcelona Haul
As I embarked on furnishing my new bungalow, I decided to use Barcelona Designs as my one-stop-shop. My designer friend raved about their quality and I appreciated their transparent production processes. I ended up selecting:
- An Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
- A classic Barcelona Chair
- A Bowery Sofa
- Assorted tables like the Noguchi and Nelson Crisscross
- Decor items like artwork and sculptures
I have to admit I was anxious seeing several large boxes arrive on my doorstep. However, any nerves disappeared as I began unboxing. The products were carefully packaged with thick foam padding and cardboard protectors at the corners and edges.
Assembly was also a cinch thanks to clear instructions and labeled hardware bags. For most pieces, it was simple matter of attaching pre-assembled sets of legs or arms. I had my Eames Lounge Chair put together in under 30 minutes without breaking a sweat!
And any concerns about quality faded away as I visually inspected each item. The Eames chair oozed buttery soft Italian leather while the Barcelona chair gleamed flawlessly with its mirror-polished stainless steel frame and rich chocolate leather. All the wood surfaces – whether teak, walnut or ash – all exhibited smooth, blemish-free grain patterns.
It was obvious Barcelona Designs invested tremendous attention to detail in choosing the right materials and executing precise manufacturing processes. The result was furniture indistinguishable from the original mid-century masters – but at a fraction of the price.
Living With Barcelona Designs
It‘s been over six months now and my Barcelona Designs haul has performed admirably as the showpieces of my living room and dining area. Not only have they awed guests with their retro-inspired charm, but they‘ve also proven supremely comfortable and durable.
The buttery leather Eames chair remains a dream to lounge in during long Netflix binges. And the Bowery sofa has become prime real estate for snuggling during movie nights. Both accommodate a wide range of body types and positions thanks to their molded contours and supple cushions.
At the same time, these pieces endure heavy usage from both human occupants and feline ones without showing any wear. My rambunctious cat‘s claws have done no damage to the thick, scratch-proof fabrics. And a red wine spill came out easily from the Barcelona chair with just some gentle soap and water. If only my temperamental tabby was as low maintenance!
Furthermore, the rich teak and walnut wood finishes mostly mask minor scratches and scuffs. But Barcelona Designs thoughtfully includes a touch-up marker with each piece in case of accidents. After nearly half a year of guests, furry friends, and general living, each item appears as pristine as the unboxing day with just some occasional dusting.
How Barcelona Designs Stacks Up
As I continue receiving compliments from visitors on my fabulous mid-century decor, I feel reassured I made the right choice partnering with Barcelona Designs. But how do they compare against other top online MCM furniture brands?
I specifically compared the flagship Eames Lounge Chair since it‘s the quintessential mid-century piece. Below I break down how three popular MCM replica retailers stack up:
| Retailer | Materials | Price | Lead Time | Return Policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona Designs | Italian leather & bent laminate wood | $1,550 | 6-8 weeks | 30 days |
| Rove Concepts | Italian leather & rosewood veneer | $1,895 | 3-4 weeks | 30 days |
| Joybird | Full-grain semi-aniline Italian leather & bent laminate | $1,949 | Up to 3 months | 30 days |
As you can see, Barcelona Designs holds up very well delivering that iconic style at the lowest cost with reasonable production times. Yes, you may be able to save a couple hundred dollars scouring vintage shops. But it will likely take months to find that diamond-in-the-rough with no guarantees on condition or what rehab costs lay ahead.
Ultimately, Barcelona Designs strikes an ideal balance of quality, cost and convenience – delivering the mid-century look you covet with modern supply chain efficiency.
Expert Tips for Discerning Shoppers
As both an interior design enthusiast and savvy consumer, I have some advice to those furnishing their home with Barcelona Designs:
Inspect upon arrival – Carefully check for any defects, damage or missing hardware within 24 hours of delivery. Document thoroughly through photos/video if anything looks remiss before assembly.
Understand lead times – Custom-crafted pieces take patience so expect to wait upwards of six weeks from order to delivery. Factor production schedules into your project timelines.
Consider protection plans – While a 30-day return policy provides recourse for some issues, extending coverage through third-parties gives more complete peace-of-mind.
Look for sales – Barcelona Designs already offers significant value compared to other MCM brands. But periodic promos and coupons can drive prices down further so time purchases accordingly.
The Takeaway
For me, Barcelona Designs succeeded in creating a mid-century modern oasis I‘m proud to show off. Their emphasis on quality materials and construction delivers pieces both beautiful and enduring. Yes, a few tiny nicks and scratches accumulate. But that‘s part of furniture acquiring that coveted vintage patina that adds more character over time.
Would I buy from Barcelona Designs again? Absolutely. I already have my eye on a womb chair and maybe a credenza for the next stage of slowly transforming my home into a timeless MCM jewel box. So if your interior design dreams drift towards the sleek, retro charm of the 1950s-60s, do as I did – bring Barcelona Designs home.
