In Love with: Eames Lounge and Ottoman
Charles and Ray Eames are some of my favorite furniture designers. They are known for so many iconic pieces, but the one I love the most is the Eames Lounge and Ottoman, which were released in 1956 for Herman Miller.
The form of the chair is comprised of three curved plywood shells made up of seven thin layers of wood veneer glued together and shaped under heat and pressure. The original, or vintage, chair used five layers plywood with rosewood veneers.
Herman Miller has been continuously making these chairs since their introduction, with a company called Vitra coming in later to produce them for the European Market. Knockoffs are in abundance, while there are also many chairs that are ‘influenced’ by the design.
Surprisingly, the chair is super comfy — I had a chance to sit in one at the Kalorama Design within Reach a couple weekends ago — for it’s price. Most designer pieces tend to be simply for form, and not function. But this is a piece that is not only beautiful, but extremely comfortable. Watch out though, if you are above 5’11″, you will not find the chair that comfy, as the boyfriend found out (he’s 6’7″). But for the 5’3″ of me, it was super comfy and made me want it even more!
And they also come in this gorgeous white! Yum!
What do you think of this gorgeous piece of furniture? What is your favorite piece of furniture? Is it something from a store like Ikea or something a little more expensive, something you hope to one day own but just drool over now? I’d love to hear!
I have to admit, I actually kind of like the white version of that chair! (Which is impressive for me, because Eames and similar mid-century design usually does nothing for me…yeah, I’m a freak)
Right now, I’m keeping my furniture coveting simple: the Ikea Ektorp sofa with the (discontinued! *sob*…but still available on eBay!) black and white stripe cover. Ah, the joys of moving from a studio apartment to a one bedroom–suddenly having space for real furniture!
:-)
Teresa —
Not everyone has the same style sense — I didn’t care much for mid-century stylings a year and a half ago, but my taste is evolving with the amount of space I have for furniture and the amount of money I’m willing to spend.
I have also been in love with the black and white striped cover for the Ektorp sofa — and thought about it on my arm chair and ottoman — but it just wouldn’t work in my space! In fact, it doesn’t work in my space, even with the white slipcover! :)
Best
Laura