The Italian job

 Shoparound: If it's 20th century classic designs you crave, check out a new online Irish furniture business that sells reproductions of modern classic furniture at competitive prices.

Based in Dalkey, Co Dublin, Italian Classics Direct - Ireland is run by Janie Lazar and is the sole commercial agent for UK company Italian Classics Direct.

The company specialises in reproductions of modern classic furniture and offers a wide range of reproduction furniture inspired by designers including Le Corbusier, Eero Saarinen, Mies van der Rohe and Eileen Gray as well as lesser-known designers like Harry Bertoia, Isamu Nogushi and Paolo Chiantini.

Classic 20th century furniture design is finally coming into its own, according to Lazar, who says that people now appreciate not only the timeless nature of good design but also realise that well chosen pieces can sit quite happily amongst a mix of more traditional furniture.

Lazar came across the UK company while sourcing chairs for an office fit-out for a client of her husband, architect Peter Cully.

"I just felt that many people in Ireland would love the opportunity to buy design classics like the Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe and the Corbusier Grand Confort armchair that have stood the test of time but, until now, have been fairly prohibitive in price."

By avoiding expensive showrooms and catalogues and doing all its business online, the company keeps its overheads to a minimum and these savings are passed on to the customer, explained Lazar.

And the prices are competitive. A reproduction of Eileen Grey's Bibendum Chair is priced €1,395. A reproduction chair and stool inspired by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe's Barcelona set is priced €1,145 and a reproduction of Eero Saarinen's tulip chair costs €599.

Italian Classics Direct commission furniture directly from the manufacturers. There's a range of colours to choose at no extra cost and the option of three leather grades. Delivery time is between eight and 10 weeks.

Prices are inclusive of Vat (at the UK 17.5 per cent rate) but exclusive of delivery.

Italian Classics Direct - Ireland www.italianclassicsdirect.ie 1890 252104