Iconic Designs: Charles and Ray Eames’ Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Ingenious design, beautiful materials and an emphasis on luxury and comfort all combine in this iconic piece of furniture
This series takes a look at some of the most famous and cherished designs of the past century. From classic chairs to statement lighting, discover the backstory to some of the design world’s most recognisable pieces and browse ways to use them in modern settings.
Working primarily in the middle decades of the last century, American designers Charles and his wife Ray Eames were champions of affordable design. Their moulded plastic chairs met the post-war need for small-scale, reasonably priced furniture and were intended for mass consumption.
But all that changed when Charles began to sketch designs for the now iconic Lounge chair. This exceptionally cool, super-comfortable piece, paired with a generous ottoman, marked a departure from the couple’s typical design agenda. The Lounge chair, introduced in 1956, was to be a luxury item, inspired by the English club chair, and designed specifically for the high-end market.
The chair still carries a whiff of exclusivity about it today, and its combination of comfort and striking, softly masculine design makes it a timeless and very beautiful classic.
Working primarily in the middle decades of the last century, American designers Charles and his wife Ray Eames were champions of affordable design. Their moulded plastic chairs met the post-war need for small-scale, reasonably priced furniture and were intended for mass consumption.
But all that changed when Charles began to sketch designs for the now iconic Lounge chair. This exceptionally cool, super-comfortable piece, paired with a generous ottoman, marked a departure from the couple’s typical design agenda. The Lounge chair, introduced in 1956, was to be a luxury item, inspired by the English club chair, and designed specifically for the high-end market.
The chair still carries a whiff of exclusivity about it today, and its combination of comfort and striking, softly masculine design makes it a timeless and very beautiful classic.
Years in development
It took the Eames duo several years to develop the design for the Lounge chair (670) and Ottoman (671). Made of moulded plywood and leather, they were produced by the Herman Miller furniture company.
The design set new standards: the chair is not only lighter, more elegant and more modern than the conventional club chair that first inspired it, it’s also more comfortable.
It took the Eames duo several years to develop the design for the Lounge chair (670) and Ottoman (671). Made of moulded plywood and leather, they were produced by the Herman Miller furniture company.
The design set new standards: the chair is not only lighter, more elegant and more modern than the conventional club chair that first inspired it, it’s also more comfortable.
A trio of shells
The Lounge chair is composed of three curved plywood shells: the headrest, the backrest and the seat. In modern production, the shells are made up of five thin layers of plywood, which are covered with a wood veneer.
The Lounge chair is composed of three curved plywood shells: the headrest, the backrest and the seat. In modern production, the shells are made up of five thin layers of plywood, which are covered with a wood veneer.
Harmony and balance
The Lounge chair design is beautifully balanced. The shells and the seat cushions are essentially the same shape, and composed of two curved forms interlocking to form a solid mass. The chair back and headrest are identical in proportion, as are the seat and the ottoman.
The Lounge chair design is beautifully balanced. The shells and the seat cushions are essentially the same shape, and composed of two curved forms interlocking to form a solid mass. The chair back and headrest are identical in proportion, as are the seat and the ottoman.
Early fame
The Lounge chair was launched in 1956 and featured on the Arlene Francis Home show broadcast on the NBC television network in the USA that year. Immediately following its TV debut, Herman Miller launched an advertising campaign that highlighted the versatility of the chair.
The Lounge chair was launched in 1956 and featured on the Arlene Francis Home show broadcast on the NBC television network in the USA that year. Immediately following its TV debut, Herman Miller launched an advertising campaign that highlighted the versatility of the chair.
Lasting legacy
Since its introduction in 1956, the chair has been in continuous production by Herman Miller in the USA. Vitra began producing the chair for the European market, and still does so today.
The chair is available in various combinations of leather upholstery, wooden shells and bases, including an all-white edition and an all-black edition.
Learn more about the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen
Since its introduction in 1956, the chair has been in continuous production by Herman Miller in the USA. Vitra began producing the chair for the European market, and still does so today.
The chair is available in various combinations of leather upholstery, wooden shells and bases, including an all-white edition and an all-black edition.
Learn more about the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen
Museum piece
The Brazilian rosewood Eames Lounge chair and Ottoman are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The set was a gift from the Herman Miller company in 1960.
The Brazilian rosewood Eames Lounge chair and Ottoman are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The set was a gift from the Herman Miller company in 1960.
TV star
The Lounge chair frequently crops up on TV and film sets. It famously featured in sitcom Frasier as a piece of furniture in the title character’s Seattle apartment. In the final episode of the series, Frasier’s father, Martin Crane, remarks that he finds it comfortable and hints that he may not have needed his ugly old recliner after all!
TELL US…
Do you own an Eames Lounge chair? Or is it on your wish list? Share your thoughts on this iconic design in the Comments below.
The Lounge chair frequently crops up on TV and film sets. It famously featured in sitcom Frasier as a piece of furniture in the title character’s Seattle apartment. In the final episode of the series, Frasier’s father, Martin Crane, remarks that he finds it comfortable and hints that he may not have needed his ugly old recliner after all!
TELL US…
Do you own an Eames Lounge chair? Or is it on your wish list? Share your thoughts on this iconic design in the Comments below.
Throughout their design careers, Charles and Ray Eames were most interested in developing furniture that could be mass-produced for an affordable price, but they made an exception for the Lounge chair. It was the first luxury piece the couple created.
Charles wanted to update the traditional English club chair, and his vision was inspired in part by baseball. He aimed to create a chair ‘with the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt’. On seeing Charles’s early sketches for the chair, Ray remarked in a letter to him that it looked ‘comfortable and un-designy’.
Check out the Plastic chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames