August 26, 2023, 10:33 am | Read time: 4 minutes
The Eames Lounge Chair is akin to an unwritten rule: wherever design is at home, this classic piece of furniture history must be present. It effortlessly introduces elegance, modernity, and comfort into a space—remarkable for a history spanning more than half a century.
If any piece of furniture perfectly combines design, comfort, and quality, it’s the Eames Lounge Chair. Undoubtedly, it is more than just a mere seating option. For over six decades, this distinctive chair has captivated aesthetes and design enthusiasts worldwide. Originally designed by the duo Charles and Ray Eames, the eponymous lounger rightfully holds the title of a classic to this day.
The Iconic Eames Lounge Chair
What distinctly characterizes the Eames Lounge Chair is its pronounced curved form, which consistently offers cozy seating comfort. This classic design was not a coincidence but was meticulously prepared by Charles and Ray Eames. As early as the 1940s, they were engaged in developing the molding process.
Before the design classic conquered the furniture market in 1956, the duo launched the equally renowned designs of the Eames Elephant and the Lounge Chair Wood. All these products were marked by the primary use of molded plywood. This allowed the furniture’s shape to conform to the human body’s contours.
Additionally, the design duo developed simple pairings of different forms: the seat and ottoman, as well as the headrest and backrest, have exactly the same dimensions. And thus, the iconic form of the lounger was complete.
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The Design Duo Charles and Ray Eames
Charles and Ray Eames first met in 1940 while working on a design project at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. Charles took on the role of architect and industrial designer, while Ray was the artist and graphic designer. These two roles, divided between technique and aesthetics, significantly shaped the duo’s working method.
In their numerous works, it was precisely this symbiosis of elegance and comfort that continues to fascinate. Together, they aimed to create seating that was both comfortable and affordable. To achieve this, they developed a technique for three-dimensional plywood molding.
Initially, however, they had to produce aircraft parts and leg splints from this material during World War II, commissioned by the U.S. government. It was only after the war that they could focus on their first Eames furniture. Over the decades, their creative process also included avant-garde designs in plywood, fiberglass, or wire, as well as work in architecture, toy manufacturing, photography, and film.
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Construction and Craftsmanship of a Design Classic
The construction and craftsmanship of the Eames Lounge Chair have changed little in more than six decades. The chair is still primarily handcrafted in 47 steps. It features three plywood shells on a five-star base, divided into the backrest, seat, and headrest. Initially made from Rio rosewood, which has been under stricter protection since 1998, the material was switched to the visually similar Santos rosewood.
The leather cushions inserted into the shells can be removed if needed. The entire construction is similar for the ottoman, which stands on a cross-shaped base.
The Eames Lounge Chair is now available in two sizes, reflecting changes in the average human height. Today, people are about 4 inches taller than during the design duo’s lifetime. Additionally, the chair is now available in various leather colors and wood types, including cherry, ash, and walnut.
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A Chair Makes History
Undoubtedly, two of the most significant designers of the 20th century set new standards with the Eames Lounge Chair, creating an absolute furniture classic. Initially, the chair was considered a modern evolution of the classic English club chair. Shortly after its market launch, it was included in the design collection of the MoMA in New York.
Originally, the legendary lounger was distributed by Herman Miller and only in the United States. Willi Fehlbaum, founder of the Swiss furniture company Vitra, brought this special piece to Europe, where it has been available since 1957. In 1984, Vitra also acquired the exclusive rights to all Eames products for Europe and the Middle East.