{"id":19321,"date":"2019-11-11T16:58:51","date_gmt":"2019-11-11T16:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.heals.com\/blog\/?p=19321"},"modified":"2019-12-10T16:44:16","modified_gmt":"2019-12-10T16:44:16","slug":"icons-eames-lounge-chair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heals.com\/blog\/icons-eames-lounge-chair\/","title":{"rendered":"Behind the Design: Eames Lounge Chair"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the most-celebrated pieces of 20th<\/sup>-century design, the Eames Lounge Chair was created by designers Charles and Ray Eames. This mid-century design classic has been a favourite of the design-savvy since it was originally released in 1956. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve dug deep to discover the history of this iconic chair\nand the designers behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Behind the design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The old English club chair inspired husband-and-wife duo Charles and Ray Eames to create the now-iconic lounger. Aiming to make it lighter, more elegant and more modern than its inspiration, the Eameses took several years to complete the ambitious design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Eames<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The chair made its debut in 1956 with an unveiling on Arlene\nFrancis\u2019 television show Home. The public received the chair with widespread\nacclaim. A 1961 article even described it as placing \u201cthe sitter into a\nvoluptuous luxury that few mortals since Nero have known\u201d. The Eames Lounge\nChair has become so celebrated it is now featured in the permanent collection\nat New York\u2019s MoMA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, Vitra has made a\nseries of changes to update the chair for the modern day. For example, sustainable\nPalisander rosewood has replaced the original Brazilian rosewood. As a heavily\nfarmed wood, Brazilian rosewood is no longer considered an environmentally friendly\nmaterial to create furniture with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, Vitra has increased\nthe chair\u2019s size to suit a taller population. As the average human height has\nrisen by 10cm over the last 60 years, this taller addition means everyone can\nexperience the same comfort the Eameses originally intended. The classic\nedition of the Eames Lounge Chair is still widely available, including at Heal\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts.\u201d<\/p>Ray Eames<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How it’s made<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vitra has faithfully crafted the Eames Lounge Chair for the\nlast 60 years. Even today, it uses the same manufacturing methods that were\nused to create the original chair. You can see the process of creating the\nEames Lounge Chair in more detail thanks to the video at the bottom of this\npage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the design was first released, Vitra has introduced a plethora of new finishes. These additions include new combinations of leather upholstery, wood veneers and bases. Most importantly, each new finish is created in close collaboration with the Eames Office to ensure it meets the duo\u2019s uncompromising standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Eames Lounge Chair\u2019s design\ncalls for premium upholstery, quality materials and time-consuming\ncraftsmanship. Subsequently, the luxurious chair marked a break with the Eameses\u2019\nprinciple of making \u201cthe best for the most for the least\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Trio<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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About the designers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Icons of the 20th<\/sup> Century, Charles and Ray Eames<\/strong> are most renowned for their transformation of modern furniture. Their influential designs remain as celebrated today as they were 50 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having met at Michigan\u2019s Cranbrook Academy of Art, Eero\nSaarinen encouraged the couple to pursue a career in design. Together, they\nbegan experimenting with and honing the use of moulded plywood. This proved particularly\nuseful throughout WWII, when the technique was used to make emergency splints\nfor injured soldiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe role of the designer is that of a very good thoughtful host anticipating the needs of their guests.\u201d<\/em><\/p>Charles Eames<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Post-war furniture design called\nfor a more functional approach and the Eameses were more than ready to answer the\nbrief. Over the next 50 years, the duo worked collaboratively to create\nfurniture and accessories that still delight today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together they became a formidable\nforce of the design industry. Charles\u2019 strikingly modernist designs popularised\nthe Bauhaus\u2019s emphasis on functionality. Whilst Ray\u2019s playful contribution enlivened\ndesigns that may have seemed somewhat austere otherwise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ray Eames famously said that \u201cwhat\nworks good is better than what looks good because what works good lasts\u201d. This\nis certainly the case for their designs, which have been handed down through\ngenerations and feature in homes across the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Charles<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Shop the Eames Lounge Chair<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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