A History of The Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman
There has been many. The prices may differ. But you'll never beat an original, authentic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman. Allow me to outline the reasons why.
Before I get started, let's first find out a little something about the designers. The Eames Lounge Chair was designed by Charles and Ray Eames after many different attempts at creating the perfect chair. The American pair have contributed to the modern furniture industry vastly, as well as contributing to the art and film sector. When Charles was just 14, he was working as a labourer at a steel company. From his time at the Laclede Steel Company, Charles learned about engineering, drawing, and architecture. He then attended university on an architecture scholarship at Washington University, and there has been many different takes as to why he "left" after two years. Bernice "Ray" Eames moved to NYC after she graduated from Bennets Women's College to study abstract expressionist painting. She became one of the founders of the American Abstract Artists group in 1936. One of her paintings is part of the permanent collection at The Whitney Museum of American Art. The pair met while Ray was preparing drawings and models for the Organic Design in Home Furnishings competition and they were married the following year.
Charles Eames passed away due to a heart attack on August 21, 1978, and Ray passed away 10 years later and are both buried next to each other in Calvary Cemetery.
The Eames Lounge Chair went through multiple production phases, all to ensure that the product was the best it could possibly be and was finally released in 1956. The unusual thing about this product is it's price however this is reflected in the quality and craftmanship. Charles and Ray Eames always created low priced, budget chairs for the general public, such as the DSR Side Chair, and the RAR rocking chair. But the Eames Lounge chair price is much higher, and this is because the duo wanted to develop a product to target high end customers. The chair is now part of the permanent collection in New York's Museum of Modern Art. Some refer to the Eames Lounge Chair as a recognisable power chair of the "Mad Men" era.
The Eames Lounge Chair is made up of three curved plywood shells, being the headrest, backrest and seat. The chair was originally manufactured with Brazilian rosewood veneer, but they stopped producing this in the 90's. There have been some in auction where the brazillian rosewood versions have sold for upward of £7000
Since its introduction, the chair has been in continuous production by Herman Miller in America. Later, Vitra began producing the chair for the European market
It is probably well known that there has been many copies of the Eames Lounge Chair, and it is usually the low price which attracts most customers to buy those instead. But let me say that you may think you got a great deal, but with almost all copies, they break easily. Why spend £500 on a fake which will last about a year or so before it starts to fall apart, when you can spend £3000 on one that will last a life time, and then some. You can also tell the difference in terms of comfort.
Here is a description of the Eames Lounge Chair from our website listing:
"The Vitra Eames Lounge Chair brings together the raw materials and fabrics with the hard, dedicated workmanship to provide the highest quality of seating pleasure. The Vitra Eames Lounge Chair was based around the design of the English Club Chair, and this was an inspirational classic in Charles and Ray Eames's eyes. The original design of the Eames Lounge Chair came in dark wood veneer and the highest quality black leather. But the Eames Lounge chair was also creted with lighter coloured leather, too.
The Vitra Eames Lounge Chair was designed in association with the Eames Office.
The Eames Lounge Chair is now also available in a version tailored for taller individuals. The Vitra Lounge Chair is a designer piece for the home as well as the office."
To promote this great product, Papillon Interiors are offering 20% off the Eames Lounge Chair for a limited time when using the code ORIGINAL20, and they ship to the UK, and EU on special request.