Icons: The Eames Chair

What inspired Charles and Ray to create this chair? At the time they were trying to find a way to make their designs low cost and efficient. They entered a low cost furniture design competition hosted by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The duo was working in almost every medium imaginable. Ultimately they were focused on giving birth to a new future for everyone not just the affluent. The unexpected combination of materials used gave their chair critical praise and allowed them to effectively reach the masses through mass production. These chairs were the first to be made out of industrially produced plastic. Due to this, they were able to infuse vibrant, expressive colors that wouldn’t dull or fade. They even added a more playful aspect to the design by creating three distinct types of bases. The duo wanted their products to always be personal and adaptable.

This chair has continued to carry the legacy of Charles and Ray Eames through the pioneering use of new materials even today. The Chair is currently available in a wide range of materials and colors, and since it comes in customizable finishes, it can match the interiors of almost any space. Simple, ergonomic and functional-  it is truly a timeless classic.