As thousands of schoolchildren squirm in their molded plywood seats, little do they know that they are sitting in a material that is the base of a design world icon – the Eames Lounge Chair.
A classic piece that combines comfort, natural style and modern design, the Eames Lounge Chair has been in high demand since its debut in 1956 on the Arlene Francis Show, the predecessor to NBC’s Today Show. Its sensuous curves and leather cushions make up a lounge that is the epitome of comfort.
The development of the aforementioned plywood is what made the Eames Lounge Chair possible. According to Hermanmiller, this material had never been seen before, and was made through a completely new process of super-heating the wood and then bending it into impossibly perfect and smooth curves.
Charles and Ray (Kaiser) Eames met at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, which was also the spawning ground for other famed designers such as Eero Saarinen and Harry Bertoia. They married and moved to Los Angeles where they set to work. By 1945, they found a way to make the curved molded plywood and created their first piece with manufacturer Evans Products: a children’s chair and stool made of birch wood. From there, the Eameses created the lounge chair in rosewood and launched their relationship with the Herman Miller Furniture Company. Today, it is the only US licensed manufacturer of the Eames Lounge Chair, made in cherry and walnut. In Europe, Vitra International, manufactures the furniture.
According to Eames Office, the official company for communicating, preserving and extending the work of the Eameses, the couple was commissioned by the US Navy During World War II to produce molded plywood splints, stretchers, and experimental glider shells. Their molded plywood chair was called ‘the chair of the century’ by the influential architectural critic Esther McCoy.
The Eames Lounge Chair production process is fascinating and can be seen on the Eames official site website.The couple was known for their hands-on design process in their studio, which was known as “an intellectual playground” for many designers who would go on to become icons in their own right: Henry Beer, Richard Foy, Deborah Sussman, Harry Bertoia and Gregory Ain, among others.
Beyond the plywood material there are many other aspects of the chair that make it special. In a feature story, the Washington Post described it perfectly: “Unlike other chairs that are also considered ‘icons of modern design,’ this one is uncommonly comfortable, so much so that when you sit in it, you’re not aware that you’re actually sitting on something.” The three upholstered pieces that make up the chair are purposefully angled to be more comfortable. As the Post points out, Ray and Charles Eames may have been pioneers of ergonomics long before it became a science in the 1970’s.
Bill Dowell, certified professional ergonomist and director of research at Herman Miller, is quoted in the Post saying “that the angle of the seat takes the weight off the base of your spine while the lower back piece supports your lower back; this makes you feel relaxed. Meanwhile, the angle of the upper back piece that supports your chest allows you to be active — you can comfortably read, chat or look straight ahead and watch TV.”
Like many iconic pieces of furniture, a genuine Eames Lounge chair and ottoman will make a dent in your wallet, at $5,000 and up. Many vintage pieces are available, along with unofficial knock-offs. If you’re shopping for a vintage piece – or if you already own one – and want to know if it’s truly an Eames, there are a number of ways to determine if it’s real or fake. Some telling characteristics:
- Size – Many knock-offs are much larger than the original.
- The Base — A true Herman Miller base is powder-coated black with chrome on the top and each foot is height adjustable.
- Spring – A real Eames Lounge chair does not have a spring for reclining.
- Hardware – Many knock-off lounges have visible screws on the wood. A true Eames does not.
- Clips – Cushions on a real Eames are clipped in, not screwed.
No matter your décor, the Eames Lounge Chair and ottoman can be a comfortable and integral part of your design. Its classic modern lines blend well in any space – living room, office area, or bedroom. It’s a happy place to sink into and relax!
Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17.
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Showrooms As We Know Them Get Reinvented At Casa Cor
The 24th edition of Casa Cor Rio de Janeiro, the largest Architecture and Interior Design event in Brazil, took an interesting turn in 2014 when the very idea behind the showroom got reinvented. Instead of the usual exhibition area, the products and ideas were presented as a large 4500 square meter space divided into lofts, studio apartments and various living and entertainment areas.
The space inside the Casa Shopping mall became a large collection of individual spaces meant to make those interested feel at home. An eye-catching feature was a large loft divided into two areas. One was the social space and the other was a private zone.
In between these two spaces there was a large cabinet. In the social area, the cabinet contained the kitchen while in the private space it served as a wardrobe.
All the areas in the loft were connected by a long reflecting pool with a green wall. A very fresh and vibrant feature and one of the major elements which links the space to the exterior and the views.
Actually, this loft was designed within a pavilion on the rooftop and it offered really nice views over the surrounding area. This detail influenced the way the interior was designed. The loft had cement walls and floors and various accent details were used to bring the scenery inside.
The color palette was kept simple and neutral in order to allow the focus to stay on the products being displayed and on the large selection of works of art.
The green wall became a beautiful backdrop for the living and dining areas. A white sectional complemented by a futuristic blue chair were placed on a dark grey area rug and, on the other side, the wooden dining table features light green Ami garden chairs mixed up with stackable Kiti chairs.
A pair of identical wooden coffee tables complete the seating area and filling the central void created by the sectional.
In the private zone, a glass partition was used to separate the bath area from the bedroom. This way the two spaces stay connected and acts as one but there’s also a clear delimitation between them.
The toilet area was contained within a circular space with long and heavy fabric curtains and a stainless steel frame. In addition, the large bathroom space also integrates two showers, two column sinks and a minimalist, freestanding marble tub.
Recessed open shelves feature built-in accent lighting, softening the décor and the ambiance and coordinating this space with the living area. An Inout chair sits casually in a corner, becoming a charming accent piece for this area.
The other section of the space is large and open. The Ghost bed by Paola Navone is complemented by tripod side tables that act as nightstands and gets its task lighting from flexible floor lamps. A larger modern table doubles as a desk.
The lighting is really beautiful here and the fixtures become focal points and act as works of art. Every piece was specifically chosen for the décor.
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