Eames Chair: A Brief History Of The Gentleman’s Armchair

There are few contemporary furniture designs that remain as popular as the Eames armchair. It’s a classic piece of furniture that represents the pinnacle of style and sophistication.

It’s a design that features smooth curves of molded plywood, that is comfortable without sacrificing cool lines or the ability to elevate the decor of any room. 

In this article, we take a look at the history of the Eames armchair to see the inspiration for the design and how it has impacted contemporary interior design concepts. Keep reading to learn the fascinating story behind the gentleman’s armchair.

The Moment of Inspiration

Believe it or not, the original inspiration for the Eames chair came during a visit to a movie set.

Charles and Ray Eames were visiting their friend Billy Wilder and noticed that the famed director was using a makeshift lounge chair for naps between takes on his film. So they began experimenting with designs.

The approach included applying heat and pressure to plywood to shape the material. This experimentation resulted in the design for the Eames Lounge and Ottoman.

The cushions of the chair are both symmetrical and interchangeable, and the leathers used on the 670/671 will last for many years due to the quality of oils used during the tanning process.

The final product, upholstered in leather with an aluminum base, was destined for greatness from the very beginning.

The Debut

The Eames chair made its debut on Arlene Francis’ Home show in 1956 and was the first and only chair to receive this type of special attention. She noted that the design was quite a departure from the designers’ previous work.

Reception

The design was their take on a nineteenth-century club chair and was immediately admired by both the design world and by the general public.

Produced by Herman Miller, the manufacturer offered it in leather, fabric, or Naugahyde. But after the first ten years, Charles and Ray added a note to the catalog recommending the premium leather to customers. The premium leather came from farmers in Scotland who didn’t use barbed wire.

The chair was an instant hit, and a 1961 Playboy article declared that the Eames armchair, “sank the sitter into a voluptuous luxury that few mortals since Nero have known.”

Not long after the creation of the chair and ottoman, Billy Wilder received the second unit to roll off the production line. This gift was only gifting. After all, it was Wilder who ten years earlier had provided the inspiration for the modernist chair that would be considered a masterpiece of design for decades to come.

The History of the Gentleman’s Armchair

Every masterpiece in the world has a history. That includes great art, great music, great cinema, and even the gentleman’s armchair by Eames. The Eames Lounge has been around for more than sixty years and is a timeless work of design that is sure to still be around for the next sixty years.

If you love great furniture, the Eames is a must-have for any home or office.