Eames Lounge Chairs

Eames Lounge Chairs: A Furniture Design Classic

In 1956, designer Charles Eames set about designing an updated version of the classic nineteenth-century club chair. Together with his wife, Ray, Charles Eames developed the Eames Lounge Chair, combining comfort with the best materials and a high standard of craftsmanship. On eBay, you will find contemporary and vintage Eames Lounge Chairs, as well as used Eames Lounge Chairs for sale.

Among those who know their mid-century furniture, Eames Lounge Chairs have acquired a high status as one of the most important and enduring designs of the last fifty years. This American classic was developed by the married industrial designers Charles and Ray Eames, who worked together as creative partners on architecture and design through The Eames Office. The Eames Lounge Chair is one of their most well-known designs. They also worked in the fields of industrial and graphic design, fine art, and film.

Eames Lounge Chairs and their matching ottoman are made from moulded plywood and leather and were originally designed for Herman Miller, an American furniture company. The official product names were Eames Lounge 670 and Ottoman 671. The designers originally released Eames Lounge Chairs in 1956 after years of development. Always intended as a high-end product, vintage Eames Lounge Chairs are now highly sought after.

The original 1950s Eames Lounge Chairs were constructed from three curved plywood shells covered with wood veneer, making up the headrest, the backrest and the seat. Over time the product has changed, while essentially retaining the same design principals. In the 1960s, metal Eames Lounge Chairs of a different design were introduced and there are several designs inspired by the original also available for sale. Current production uses several wood veneers:

• Cherry.
• Walnut.
• Sustainable rosewood.
• Other finishes are also available.

The American manufacturer of vintage Eames Lounge Chairs, Herman Miller continues to make the chair with the Eames name attached. Vitra makes Eames Lounge Chairs for the European market, by maintaining the same manufacturing methods as were used in the 1950s. In collaboration with the Eames office, the brand offers a carefully coordinated selection of leather upholstery colours, wood veneers and bases; as well as a larger-sized version of the chair, re-proportioned for taller people.