Charles 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.” In 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. Charles Eames once said, “The role of the designer is that of a very good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.” 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.VitraBringing together the best in iconic, contemporary design, Vitra's modernist products and concepts are installed worldwide by architects, companies and private users to create inspirational living spaces.
Mixing the best of new and established pieces, Vitra have a clean, modern approach to design. Established in 1957, the family run German furniture specialists bring together their engineering excellence with the creative genius of leading international designers past and present. Renowned for creating high-quality productions of modern design classics, Vitra are the official European manufacturers for iconic designers such as Charles & Ray Eames, George Nelson and Verner Panton. Alongside these legendary figures, contemporary designers such as Jasper Morrisson and Philippe Starck continue the heritage of innovation. A collaborative design for Vitra by Edward Barber & Jay Osgerby, this colourful and contemporary chair switches effortlessly to suit your mode from a relaxed position to a forward tilt. Originally designed with children in mind, this iconic Eames design makes a fun addition to every space whether it’s just for decoration or to be played with. Price : Lowest To Highest
Price : Highest To Lowest Eames Lounge Chair Classic Nero Leather Cherry Black Base byCharles & Ray EamesforVitra Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman Black Leather, Black Ash Frame (New Dimensions) Eames DSR Plastic Chair Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman (Classic) Black Leather, Cherry, Black/Polished Base Hang It All Coat Rack Noguchi Coffee Table Black Ash Repos & Panchina Cosy Fossil Eames Plywood Group LCW Guéridon 2-4 Seater Table Natural Solid Oak Hal Office Armchair In Brick Rise Soft Light/Chrome Table Wood Table 4-6 Seater In Natural Solid Oak Wood Bench Solid Oak Hal Armchair Wood Light Oak/Ivy Price : Highest To LowestVitra Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman - Santos Palisander Shell Please select a leather colour Please select an option Lounge Chair and Ottoman Lounge Chair Only Ottoman Only Glides for bottom of feet Felt Glides for Hard Floor Plastic Glides for Carpet Design : Charles & Ray Eames
Year of Design : 1956/2010 Material : Bent plywood, cast aluminium, removable leather upholstery Dimensions - Classic SizeChair: H: 84cm; D: 91cmOttoman: H: 42cm; Dimensions - Larger SizeChair: H: 89cm; D: 92cmOttoman: H: 42cm; Delivery: 6 - 8 weeks Quickship Delivery : 2 - 3 Weeks for following versions The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is the epitome of a design classic in furniture terms. Manufactured under licence from the Eames estate by Vitra this is one of the most famous original designs by Charles & Ray Eames. Created in 1956 it is now a classic in the history of modern furniture - the Chair and Ottoman was originally designed as a modern interpretation of the traditional club chair. It consists of three laminated wooden shells attached to a die cast aluminium frame on shock mounts, giving a flexible connection. Soft leather (nappa cowhide) upholstery sections provide the comfort. The base is swivel on the chair and fixed on the ottoman. There are a number of variations to the Lounge Chair design.
This version has a Santos Palisander (rosewood) wooden shell which comes in a range of complementary leathers to suit the wood tones. The base can be in either chrome, polished aluminium, or black with polished aluminium detail on the horizontal surfaces. Furthermore, since the average person's height has increased since 1956 when the design was first realised, the lounge chair now comes in two sizes - classic (as per the original) or new, larger dimensions for today's taller individuals. Whilst there are a number of inferior copies of the Lounge Chair available online at a fraction of the price, often labelled as 'Eames inspired', true connoisseurs will appreciate the quality of this original. The Lounge Chair is a bespoke piece of furniture which will give many years of lounging pleasure. Besides anything else it's a truly comfortable chair - anyone who already own one of these will vouch for this. See other Charles & Ray Eames designs. See other Lounge Chairs & Chaise. See the Vitra collection.