Inside Eames Design

‘The looks good can change, but what works, works.’

This instalment focuses on husband and wife team; Charles and Ray Eames. 

Charles grew up in St Louis, Missouri and worked for engineers and manufacturers whilst Ray spent most of her early years immersing herself in modern abstract art movements in New York.

Early in their career, Charles and Ray identified the need for affordable yet high quality furniture for the average consumer that could serve a variety of purposes. The Eames’ specialised in moulded plywood, fiberglass-reinforced plastic, bent and welded wire mesh and cast aluminium.

Eames Lounge Chair 

This is perhaps Eames most well-known piece, the Eames Lounge Chair 670 and Ottoman. An icon of American design, Charles and Ray cited the English club chair as inspiration and modernised it with his new moulded plywood technology in the 50’s. 

A dynamic blend of hand-craftsmanship and mass production techniques using the finest 7-ply veneers, cushions are individually upholstered and replaceable and the back braces and bases are made of die-cast aluminium.

This piece is a true icon of the 20th century.

Eames Aluminium Executive Chair

Unanimous within boardrooms around Australia and the world, the Eames Aluminium Executive Chair has been a popular design since their inception in 1958. A timeless classic, these chairs make a statement wherever you place them. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, the design supports an innovative ‘sitting pocket’ that conforms to the body’s shape with heavy duty stretching mesh.

Eames DSW Side Chairs

Charles and Ray Eames spent years exploring the fundamental idea of a one-piece seat shell that can ‘get to the most of the best to the greatest number of people for the least’. Using a bunch of different bases, the most popular model was the ‘Eiffel Tower’ – an intricate design made of steel wire combining light and elegant forms with structural strength.