my design fix

The Eames Lounge and Ottoman (1956)

Ok so I’ll start with something easy. This is one of my favourite pieces of furniture: The Eames Lounge and Ottoman.

What I love about this chair is its mix of comfort with technology and craftsmanship which is best summed up in Charles Eames’ description of the chair as a “warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt.”

Designed by husband and wife design team; Charles and Ray Eames, the Eames Lounge and Ottoman were first released in 1956. They are crafted from seven-ply veneer shells with leather upholstery and the back braces and base are die-cast aluminium painted black.

Charles and Ray appeared on the Arlene Francis “Home” show with the lounge chair the week it was released. Here is a clip from that episode: (Watch right to the end to see a cool short time lapse movie of the chair’s construction.)

Prices start from around $3,500US so it isn’t usually a staple item of most people’s lounge rooms.

One day I will hopefully own one. Sigh… one day.

http://www.eamesgallery.com

http://www.hermanmiller.com