Design Classics You May Not Know Are Eames
You've probably seen these pieces several times and have known they were something special, but never knew who the designs were by
American husband and wife team Charles and Ray Eames are considered to be among the most influential furniture and industrial designers of the 20th century. Because there are so many replicas of their furniture pieces on the market, such as the Eiffel Chair and the iconic walnut and leather Lounge Chair (featured in the second photo), most of us are familiar with their work.
The dynamic duo knew no boundaries, and always explored new manufacturing methods and the use of different materials. Their designs are innovative, stylish, functional, sometimes playful, and in the case of seating, always comfortable. My favourite quote from Ray Eames is this: “You know, what looks good can change, but what works works.”
Let me introduce you to some of my favourite Eames pieces that you may not have known were designed by this wonderful duo.
The dynamic duo knew no boundaries, and always explored new manufacturing methods and the use of different materials. Their designs are innovative, stylish, functional, sometimes playful, and in the case of seating, always comfortable. My favourite quote from Ray Eames is this: “You know, what looks good can change, but what works works.”
Let me introduce you to some of my favourite Eames pieces that you may not have known were designed by this wonderful duo.
Eames Storage Unit (1950)
You’ve recognised it already, haven’t you? It’s the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman. But that’s not what I’m going to talk about. The storage unit behind the lounge chair is also an Eames design.
When the unit was first introduced by Eames in 1950, its modular design was way ahead of its time. It was manufactured from plastic coated plywood, lacquered masonite and chrome plated steel. Production of these units was discontinued in 1955 and later recommenced in 1998.
This stylish storage unit has been called ‘working art’ since it was first exhibited and can be used in almost any room in the house – living room, dining room – or pair it with a complementary Eames desk in your office space.
You’ve recognised it already, haven’t you? It’s the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman. But that’s not what I’m going to talk about. The storage unit behind the lounge chair is also an Eames design.
When the unit was first introduced by Eames in 1950, its modular design was way ahead of its time. It was manufactured from plastic coated plywood, lacquered masonite and chrome plated steel. Production of these units was discontinued in 1955 and later recommenced in 1998.
This stylish storage unit has been called ‘working art’ since it was first exhibited and can be used in almost any room in the house – living room, dining room – or pair it with a complementary Eames desk in your office space.
Eames Hang-It-All (1953)
This is probably one of my favourite accessories designed by the Eames duo.
In the mid 1940s, Charles and Ray wanted to design some playful toys and accessories to give to their grandchildren and friend’s children as gifts. The Hang-It-All is one of those pieces. Ray Eames was the brains behind this colourful and playful piece loved by children and adults alike.
Having previously developed a mass production technique for simultaneously welding wires in the designs of some of their wire furniture, Charles and Ray applied the same principles to the design of this decorative yet very useful accessory.
The 14 colourful balls on the ends were made from solid wood and used nine colours in total.
This is probably one of my favourite accessories designed by the Eames duo.
In the mid 1940s, Charles and Ray wanted to design some playful toys and accessories to give to their grandchildren and friend’s children as gifts. The Hang-It-All is one of those pieces. Ray Eames was the brains behind this colourful and playful piece loved by children and adults alike.
Having previously developed a mass production technique for simultaneously welding wires in the designs of some of their wire furniture, Charles and Ray applied the same principles to the design of this decorative yet very useful accessory.
The 14 colourful balls on the ends were made from solid wood and used nine colours in total.
Eames Walnut Stool (1960)
This sculptural Eames stool was first designed in 1960 by Charles and Ray for the lobby of the Time-Life Building in New York City. There are three design variations of this piece. The sculpted profiles in the centre section of each of the three designs varies slightly. Each piece has a concave top and bottom, and is manufactured completely from beautiful solid turned walnut.
Measuring 381mm high, the walnut stool was designed to be used as a seat, a side table or a display stand, such as a plant stand.
Ray Eames drew on her training as a sculptor to develop the design for this stool. Her main challenge was to create a concave surface comfortable enough to sit on but shallow enough to be used as a coffee table.
This sculptural Eames stool was first designed in 1960 by Charles and Ray for the lobby of the Time-Life Building in New York City. There are three design variations of this piece. The sculpted profiles in the centre section of each of the three designs varies slightly. Each piece has a concave top and bottom, and is manufactured completely from beautiful solid turned walnut.
Measuring 381mm high, the walnut stool was designed to be used as a seat, a side table or a display stand, such as a plant stand.
Ray Eames drew on her training as a sculptor to develop the design for this stool. Her main challenge was to create a concave surface comfortable enough to sit on but shallow enough to be used as a coffee table.
Eames Executive Work Chair (1960)
The exceptional comfort of this padded leather swivel chair with aluminium frame is comparable to a lounge chair. It’s the perfect office chair, especially for those who sit at their desks for hours on end every day. The chair was originally designed for the lobby of New York’s Time-Life Building, hence its common nicknames, ‘Time-Life Chair’ and ‘Lobby Chair’.
In 1972, world class chess player Bobby Fisher requested one of these chairs to sit on during the world chess championship in Reykjavik, stating that it was the only chair he could really concentrate in.
The chair is still manufactured today and is available in three variations: an office swivel chair, a conference chair on glides, and a wider and lower armchair designed for waiting areas.
The exceptional comfort of this padded leather swivel chair with aluminium frame is comparable to a lounge chair. It’s the perfect office chair, especially for those who sit at their desks for hours on end every day. The chair was originally designed for the lobby of New York’s Time-Life Building, hence its common nicknames, ‘Time-Life Chair’ and ‘Lobby Chair’.
In 1972, world class chess player Bobby Fisher requested one of these chairs to sit on during the world chess championship in Reykjavik, stating that it was the only chair he could really concentrate in.
The chair is still manufactured today and is available in three variations: an office swivel chair, a conference chair on glides, and a wider and lower armchair designed for waiting areas.
Eames Tandem Sling
Eames Tandem Sling Seating (1962)
Chances are you’ve found yourself seated on one of these at some time in your life without realising.
Eames originally designed this seating to provide weary travellers with a comfortable place to relax while waiting for their flight at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.
The comfort, durability and sleek contemporary styling of this seating, with polished aluminium frame and easy-to-clean vinyl seat pad, remains a favourite in many transport stations and airports today. The seating is designed to handle heavy-duty wear and tear and 24 hour use.
With the environment in mind, this seating is also 87 per cent recyclable and is manufactured using 51 per cent recycled material.
Believe it or not, the Tandem Sling Seating is Eames’ best-selling chair, and is the best-selling airport seating in the world.
TELL US
What’s your favourite Eames piece and were you surprised to learn that Charles and Ray were the designers behind the pieces I’ve highlighted here?
MORE
12 Reasons to Love the Eames Eiffel Chair
The Making of an Icon: George Nelson’s Coconut Chair
Herman Miller and the Icons of Mid-Century Design Explained
Chances are you’ve found yourself seated on one of these at some time in your life without realising.
Eames originally designed this seating to provide weary travellers with a comfortable place to relax while waiting for their flight at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.
The comfort, durability and sleek contemporary styling of this seating, with polished aluminium frame and easy-to-clean vinyl seat pad, remains a favourite in many transport stations and airports today. The seating is designed to handle heavy-duty wear and tear and 24 hour use.
With the environment in mind, this seating is also 87 per cent recyclable and is manufactured using 51 per cent recycled material.
Believe it or not, the Tandem Sling Seating is Eames’ best-selling chair, and is the best-selling airport seating in the world.
TELL US
What’s your favourite Eames piece and were you surprised to learn that Charles and Ray were the designers behind the pieces I’ve highlighted here?
MORE
12 Reasons to Love the Eames Eiffel Chair
The Making of an Icon: George Nelson’s Coconut Chair
Herman Miller and the Icons of Mid-Century Design Explained
In 1945, Charles Eames designed a toy elephant made from plywood, along with other playful animals and miniature furniture pieces intended for children. Because the design of the plywood elephant required complex fabrication methods, however, sadly it never made it to mass production.
In 2007, a company called Vitra manufactured 2,000 limited edition elephants from maple, in celebration of Charles’s 100th birthday.
Today the Eames Elephant is finally mass produced and widely available to the public, however it is manufactured from a much easier to manipulate material: plastic.