Eames Chair

Wondering what makes the Eames Lounge Chair so special? By reading this article, you will discover all that you need to know about this incredibly comfortable and uniquely modern chair.

In fact, the revolutionary story of this piece of furniture, in of itself, might be enough to inspire you to buy one.

What is the Eames Chair?

The Eames Lounge Chair is a product that looks similar to a desk or office chair. However, while the latter is intended for professional or academic purposes, the Eames Chair allows you to feel comfortable and cozy while you relax.

Charles and Ray Eames designed the original version almost seven decades ago in 1956. Since then, because of the chair's enduring popularity, furniture designers and producers regularly modified its appearance, manufactured new lines, and sold them to their customers.

Who makes the Eames Lounge Chair?

Herman Miller, one of the most well-known furniture companies in the world, makes the Eames Lounge Chair. It may sell it directly or through its many subsidiaries and expanded network of retailers, such as CA Modern Homes.

The company is named after Herman Miller, a Michigan business man. In 1923, Herman Miller and his son-in-law, D.J. De Pree purchased a company called Michigan Star Furniture Company. Subsequently, De Pree changed its name to Herman Miller.

Today, the entity grew into a publicly-traded company that operates in more than 100 countries across the world. Over the years, Herman Miller partnered with renowned designers and became an icon of modern furniture.

Charles and Ray Eames designed the Eames Lounge Chair for Herman Miller in 1956.

Who designed the Eames Chair?

Charles Eames (1907-1978) and Ray Eames (1913-1988) initially came up with the chair's concept in 1950 when they participated in the International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design, an event that the Museum of Modern Arts (MoMA) hosted.

The Eames were inspired by the need for cheaper products during World War 2 and the Great Depression, a gap that furniture suppliers didn't fill at that time. 

About a decade earlier, Charles Eames designed low-cost (yet efficient) chairs that were made out of Plywood, which won him the MoMA-sponsored Organic Design in Home Furnishings in 1940.

The Eames went on to use fiberglass in 1950 when they made the lounge chair. Many other materials were both more expensive and difficult to find in the aftermath of the war. In contrast, fiberglass was cheap, accessible, and suitable for various purposes.

What is so special about the Eames Lounge Chair?

The Eames Lounge Chair is special for two reasons.

First of all, it is very comfortable. You may relax and get cozy on it as you enjoy a cup of coffee, watch TV, play video games, or talk on the phone. Some Eames Lounge Chairs come with ottomans, making them even more comfortable.

Just as importantly, the chair can be placed in several areas and settings, including living rooms, offices, and building receptions. Most of the alternative products are manufactured for either recreational or professional environments, but not both.

The second aspect that makes the Eames Lounge Chair special is its design, which combines modernity with simplicity and authenticity. When you buy the chair, you can choose the type of upholstery fabric that you prefer and pick from the variety of colors that it comes in.

What does the Eames Lounge chair look like?

The Eames Lounge Chair has an office/desk chair-like appearance, but with "the warm receptive look of a well-used first baseman's mitt". Its large and cushioned seat is placed on top of a pole that extends from the base.

The chair's base has multiple wheels that enable you to easily move it around one room or between rooms and areas. Sometimes, you may do so while you sit on it, and without having to get up. This is one of the aspects that make the product appealing.

How much is an Eames Chair?

At CA Modern Home, the Eames Lounge Chair is available for $4,095.00 (the Classic size) or $4,595 (Tall version).

To illustrate, here is a comparison between their dimensions:

• Seat Height: 16 inches (Classic) vs. 15.25 inches (Tall)
• Chair Height: 31.5" vs. 34.5"
• Chair Width: 35" vs. 32.75"
• Depth: 33.5" vs. 34.5"

With both sizes, you can customize your Eames Lounge Chair's finish, upholstery materials, and colors with CA Modern Home.

Eames Chair Finishes, Materials, and Colors

When it comes to the finish, your options are white oak, walnut, oiled walnut, santos palisander, and oiled santos palisander.

Meanwhile, the following are the available upholstery materials: 

• Flamiber Fabric: This upholstery fabric comes in six colors, including cream, cayenne, and dark blue.
• Standard Leather: The standard leather is sold in 15 colors that range from alpine and ivory leather (for lighter shades) to black and deep-sea blue leather (for darker materials).
• Prone Leather: If your Eames Chair's colors are more important to you than the upholstery material, prone leather will let you pick between 20 different color options.
• Stow Leather: The stow leather upholstery is offered in 14 variously-shaded colors, among them are Cabana (light pink), Madera (light brown), Holiday (dark green), and Raven black.

If you decide to purchase an ottoman alongside an Eames Chair, you can find one at CA Modern Home with a tenera leather upholstery material. It comes in 14 customizable colors.

Regardless of which finish, upholstery material, and colors you prefer, these Herman Miller-made chairs have a stamp that verifies their authenticity.

Above all, your Eames Lounge Chair will be incredibly comfortable and uniquely modern looking, just as Charles and Ray Eames wanted it to be.