Upon their marriage in 1941, Charles and Ray (Bernice) Eames formed a creative partnership that was to have a vast influence on architecture, industrial design, filmmaking and, perhaps most famously, furniture design. This extremely prolific duo produced over 100 furniture designs in four decades and left 750,000 photographs and slides to the Library of Congress at the time of Ray’s death in 1988 — ten years to the day after Charles’.
The Eameses believed that design should be similar to a guest-host relationship, with the designer as host anticipating the universal needs of every guest, or user. Their approach was playful and adventurous, and their pioneering use of materials like fiberglass, plastic resin, wire mesh and molded plywood resulted in some truly iconic designs, including the the 670 Lounge Chair and 671 Ottoman (both 1956).
The instantly recognizable 670 Lounge Chair is both of its time and enduringly popular. The shape of the 670 was inspired by a catcher’s mitt, and its impeccable appearance is matched by its famous level of comfort — Playboy magazine once claimed that it “sank the sitter into a voluptuous luxury that few mortals since Nero have known.” Paired as intended with the 671 Ottoman, it creates an iconic mid-century modern look.
The Eameses outsized influence continues to be felt throughout 21st century furniture and industrial design, and dozens of Eames pieces remain in production via Herman Miller, Inc. We are proud to stock authentic Eames furnishings, which are still manufactured in accordance with the exacting production process first outlined by the Eameses.
Photo Source: © Eames Office, LLC (eamesoffice.com)
