You always needed a motif to craft imperial items, unless your character is an imperial. The Imperial Edition bonus just let you convert items to imperial style, which bound the item to you. Now you can use imperial style in outfits for free instead.

Gravord wrote: »

What about ppl who bought imperial edition and still have to pay crowns for imperial furnishing?

Those imperial furnishings were only ever available for crowns, never attached in any way to the imperial edition. There are a few furnishings that use nickel, but the vast majority of Imperial furnishings are crown store only. Though now you can get a few through level up rewards.

Breton furniture is pretty close to Imperial if you don't want to pay the crowns. But the imperial edition has nothing to do with furnishings.