Types of Eames Chairs image Eames is synonymous with mid-century modern design. Eames was a design duo, a husband and wife team who not only designed mid-century modern chairs, but also developed materials and manufacturing methods... Read More about Types of Eames ChairsCharles Eames and Ray Eames were the embodiment of the inventiveness, energy and optimism at the heart of mid-century modern American design, and have been recognized as the most influential designers of the 20th century. As furniture designers, filmmakers, artists, textile and graphic designers and even toy and puzzle makers, the Eameses were a visionary and effective force for the notion that design should be an agent of positive change. They are the happy, ever-curious, ever-adventurous faces of modernism. Charles studied architecture and industrial design. Ray (née Beatrice Alexandra Kaiser) was an artist, who studied under the abstract expressionist Hans Hofmann. They met in 1940 at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Detroit (where Charles also met his frequent collaborator Eero Saarinen and the artist and designer Harry Bertoia) and married the next year.

His technical skills and her artistic flair were wonderfully complementary. They moved to Los Angeles in 1941, where Charles worked on set design for MGM. In the evenings at their apartment, they experimented with molded plywood using a handmade heat-and-pressurization device they called the “Kazam!” machine. The next year, they won a contract from the U.S. Navy for lightweight plywood leg splints for wounded servicemen — they are coveted collectibles today; more so those that Ray used to make sculptures. The Navy contract allowed Charles to open a professional studio, and the attention-grabbing plywood furniture the firm produced prompted George Nelson, the director of design of the furniture-maker Herman Miller Inc., to enlist Charles and (by association, if not by contract) Ray in 1946. Some of the first Eames items to emerge from Herman Miller are now classics: the “LCW,” or Lounge Chair Wood, and the “DCM,” or Dining Chair Metal, supported by tubular steel.

The Eameses eagerly embraced new technology and materials, and one of their peculiar talents was to imbue their supremely modern design with references to folk traditions. Their “Wire Chair” group of the 1950s, for example, was inspired by basket weaving techniques. The populist notion of “good design for all” drove their “Molded Fiberglass” chair series that same decade, and also produced the organic-form, ever-delightful “La Chaise.” dental chair for sale ukIn 1956 the “Lounge Chair” and ottoman appeared — the supremely comfortable plywood-base-and-leather-upholstery creation that will likely live in homes as long as there are people with good taste and sense.ikea chair cover washing instructions Charles Eames once said, “The role of the designer is that of a very good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.” table and chairs space saver

For very good collectors and thoughtful interior designers, a piece of design by the Eameses, the closer produced to original conception the better, is almost de rigueur — for its beauty and comfort, and not least as a tribute to the creative legacy and enduring influence of Charles and Ray Eames. I've been looking on the internet for a reasonable priced Eames Lounge chair incl. a Ottoman. The prices differ a lot, even the replica's/ knock offs. ladder back chair towel rackI can not afford to buy a genuine Vitra/Miller version and are therefore looking to buy a replica. office chairs for sale in birminghamEven the replica's are listed for up to $2000, this is way too much for me. metal dining chairs sydneyIf you have a website for me where to buy a lounge chair pretty cheap if would really appreciate it. high chair for sale bristol

Thanks for your help.The best way to know if the lounge chair you are looking at is a real Eames Lounge Chair or a reproduction is to study the real thing.  Just like with money, you look at the real thing long enough and you will know if something is off.  Here are a few things to look for when identifying an Eames Lounge Chair. The Label Black Label  - between 1970-90 a black rectangular label with round corners that says "herman miller" (in lower case) was used.toys r us bean bag chairs Silver Label - after 1990 the black label was switched to a silver one with black text.  chair rail molding in living roomThe text says "Herman Miller" (with caps). Round Metal Disc  - the Herman Miller logo in the center and "Designed by Charles Eames - Herman Miller Zeeland, Mich". The label color was white and gold.

Paper Label - most real authentic Eames Lounge Chairs are signed with a paper label, though it is easy for these labels to fall off. The paper label will list all of the patents. Bottom Shell - look under the chair where the base connects to the shell, you should see a label here. Under the Cushion - if you can not fine a label on the bottom, slide off the cushions, there may be additional ones there. The Base 5 Legs - an authentic Eames Lounge Chair will have five legs on the base and four legs on the base of the ottoman. Slight Angle - the legs have a slight angle.  They are not flat and do not angle up steeply. Swivels- the chair should be able to swivel a full 360°. Does Not Recline - knock-offs will often have a mechanism for reclining but authentic Eames Lounge Chairs do not recline. Die Cast Aluminum - The legs are made from a solid piece of aluminum.  The end of each leg are round, not square. Finishes - there are three official finishes for the legs Polished, Chromed and Black with Polished trim on top.

Adjustable Glides - the feet are made of plastic/rubber and will have the markings "Domes of Silence" on them. 15° Angle - the chair is set a permanent 15° angle. The Shells No Exposed Screws - all the screws are on the inside of the chair, hidden from view, except at the armrests. If you see a screw on the outside of the wood shells, the chair is a knock-off or poorly repaired. 3 Shells - the Eames Lounge Chair is made up of three shells, the seat (bottom), the back (middle) and the head rest (top). They should look like they are all floating. 2 Posts - two aluminum posts connect the middle and top shells together.  Each post has 3 screws, one for the top and two for the middle. Rubber Cushions - the posts will have thick rubber cushions between them and the wood, allowing for some flex. Armrests - the bottom and middle shells are held together at the armrests. Armrest (screws) - this is the only place you will see an exposed screw. Screws should be black.  

Vintage chairs have 3 screws and new ones have 2. The Wood Molded Plywood - vintage Eames Lounge Chairs are made of only 5 layers of plywood. Modern versions have 7 layers of plywood. Matching Veneer - the wood grain on the veneer of each shell should match and run the same direction because they are cut from a single log. Veneer Types - Cherry, Walnut, Santos Palisander and Rosewood. Brazilian Rosewood - was originally a veneer option but was discontinued due to sustainability concerns. Smooth Edges - all the edges should be smooth and rounded. The Cushions Bottom Cushion - is the same size and interchangeable with the cushion on the ottoman. 6 Inches of Padding - vintage chairs will have 6" of down feathers and newer chairs will have 6" of urethane foam. Always Leather - on the rare occasion you will see an Eames Lounge Chair covered in fabric. Most of the time it will be soft leather. 2 Leather Buttons - are in the middle of each cushion.

Zippers - the leather attaches to hard plastic shells with a zipper. Clips - connect the cushions to the chair.  There should also be one snap at each end to keep the cushion from sliding off the clips. Large Armrests - curve in towards the seat and are not flat. The edges will have tubed welting or piping rather than a solid piece of leather. The Dimensions 32" Tall - the top of the headrest should sit at 32 inches above the floor. 15" of the Ground  - the front edge of the seat should be at about 15 inches. 32.75" Square  - the chair is as wide as it is long.  It is 32.75 inches from each outer edge of the armrests. It is the same distance from the front edge of the seat to the back of the hedrest. Signs of a Fake Oversized - most knock-offs and reproductions get the proportions all wrong and make the chairs to large. Recliner - if your chair reclines, it is not an Eames Lounge Chair. Flat Feet - often the base will be made with square, flat legs and feet/glides that do not adjust.