Daily Life Seen from the Interior Vol.4

A serial blog by Hiroki Sueyoshi of FAH Co., Ltd.

This is the fourth time I've written this blog.

I have personally experienced how difficult it is to continue.

I want people to read it and not get bored of it, and the more I think about it, the more I find myself in a rut.

So I imagined someone who I would feel like I could never get bored of talking about.

Anyway, the guy seemed to be having fun.

Yes, let's enjoy this blog more than anyone else.

This is a great opportunity that Mr. Maeda has given me.
"Challenge & Error & Challenge" Failure is a very positive outcome that brings you closer to success and growth.

So, what kind of blog will today be? But before that, as per usual... Are you curious about Maeda-san's reaction to the last blog?

This time it's a secret.

Now, let's get to the main topic.

Regarding price differences

At first, I thought I would write about the differences in materials and design, but this time I'd like to write about the differences in price from a slightly different angle.

These days, I'm somehow managing to make a living by working in interior design, which has always been my dream.

When I first entered this industry, I had the same questions.

Why is this chair so expensive?

In my previous job, the company I worked for had

There was a chair called "THE CHAIR."

Each chair cost about 500,000 yen (at the time).

This was the first challenge I faced, as I didn't know anything and just thought, "The interior is cool."

I asked my seniors at the time, looked at books, and did some research, and once I learned the information I was able to understand the prices to some extent.

For example, the wood is selected so that the grain is as symmetrical as possible. It is assembled in a special way so that it can be made up of as few parts as possible. John F. Kennedy sat on it during a TV speech and looked very cool. (In fact, this episode made this chair known around the world.) And so on.

There was every reason.

To be honest, at the time I wanted to become an interior design expert as quickly as possible, so I simply told my customers these reasons.

But it doesn't sell.

I thought there was no way a chair that cost 500,000 yen could be sold so easily. Time passed, and I had the opportunity to talk to a famous manufacturer (who makes famous chairs that everyone knows).

This chair was one of those that changed the world, and it was made using a material called FRP (a kind of plastic) that had never been used for chairs at the time. This was the birth of a beautifully designed chair that could be mass-produced.

This chair remains popular even in today's world of modern interior design, but because it is 70 years old, there are many imitations on the market.
In terms of quality, there is a wide range.

I asked the manufacturer about the difference between their product and the imitation. They replied, "It's true that the material of this chair itself is not expensive. Considering the cost price, the price may seem high."

I was surprised.

The person continued:

"However, the price of this chair also includes the cost of leaving behind a wonderful chair for the future."
"We protect our designs with the money our customers give us."
"And we're investing in the design of the future."
By purchasing this chair, you are helping to create a better interior for the future.

It was an eye-opener for me. I had only ever considered the value of the chair itself, so it was quite a shock.

Now I understand why THE CHAIR didn't sell.

Because we were just talking about chairs.
The story that chair holds. Its history. And the sense of value that comes with owning that chair. What does that mean for the person who uses it?

Interior design is not something to be consumed.

Some items last a lifetime and can even be passed down to children and grandchildren.
Timeless design, construction, and materials.
And I think the sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that we get from these things varies from person to person.
I think there is value in that.

Regarding price differences

I think it depends on the timeline over which it was made.
Nowadays, anything made with a short lifespan in mind is inevitably going to be cheap.
Products that are designed to last for 100 years are inevitably expensive.
To create something that can be used for 100 years, we have to consider everything, such as "good materials," "timeless design," and "durable construction."

Of course, it's not a question of which is better or worse. It's up to you to choose whichever you prefer.
In today's consumer society, it may be difficult to acquire something that transcends time and can make history.
Honestly, it's difficult to do everything. I think it's wonderful to have something that you want to cherish for the rest of your life.
If you come across something that you want to cherish for the rest of your life and think it is expensive, I hope you will remember this blog.

I would be happy if you could think of it this way: "The difference in price is the difference in time frame."

(text: SUEYOSHI)

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