Modern Icons: Eames Molded Plywood Chairs
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
The design Time called "the best design of the 20th century" has certainly endured well into the 21st century.* The Eames Molded Plywood Chair is a staple of mid-century modern furnishings. It was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1946 for Herman Miller. The following quote is so great I am going to crib it straight from Herman Miller's site:
"Time called the design 'something elegant, light and comfortable. Much copied but never bettered.' (A locomotive came in second.)"
Charles and Ray pioneered new technologies for molding wood that they integrated into the design of this chair. They wanted a chair that would fit the contours of the body comfortably, doing away with the need for cushions. In fact, their work with wood molding was actually applied to the designs of strechers and splints that were used during World War II!
Lucky for Mid-Century Modern Design fans, what was good for splints was also good for seats. There are several iterations available, one is the Molded Plywood Lounge Chair, another is the Molded Plywood Dining Chair, and they are available with the legs and support made of wood or of metal rods. I have spied them all over Houzz in every room possible - kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, libraries, studies, bedrooms, and hallways - they are very versatile. I'll show you just how versatile below. If you see any around that I've missed, please share it with us in the comments section.
"Time called the design 'something elegant, light and comfortable. Much copied but never bettered.' (A locomotive came in second.)"
Charles and Ray pioneered new technologies for molding wood that they integrated into the design of this chair. They wanted a chair that would fit the contours of the body comfortably, doing away with the need for cushions. In fact, their work with wood molding was actually applied to the designs of strechers and splints that were used during World War II!
Lucky for Mid-Century Modern Design fans, what was good for splints was also good for seats. There are several iterations available, one is the Molded Plywood Lounge Chair, another is the Molded Plywood Dining Chair, and they are available with the legs and support made of wood or of metal rods. I have spied them all over Houzz in every room possible - kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, libraries, studies, bedrooms, and hallways - they are very versatile. I'll show you just how versatile below. If you see any around that I've missed, please share it with us in the comments section.
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| If you are going to add one bit of bright color to a room, this chair is the way to do it. |
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The chair is strong enough to stand alone...
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like here (a great occasional chair in a bedroom)...
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| and here (LOVE it with that unexpected antler chandelier!)... |
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by Amoroso Design
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| and here (a nice contrast to the cushy upholstered pieces). |
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| This chair is wonderful to use in pairs. |
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It's lovely against the wooden window casings and THAT VIEW)...
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...and plays nice in a group, especially in a kitchen or dining room.
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| Charles and Ray were experimenting with ways to mold wood to fit the body so that cushions would not be necessary. |
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| This homeowner has collected iconic pieces that hold their own in front of a large window and next to a baby grand piano. |
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This is the dining chair version with rods. It's sculptural in a different way, yet still provides the same contoured back and seat for comfort.
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The version with rods stands on its own just like the all-wood version.
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by VisuaLingual
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It also makes a handsome desk chair.
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The lounge chair version works well with a big cushy sofa. It's great when you want one more spot for guests to sit, but doesn't take up the space of a large upholstered lounge chair.
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It's fun to see the other pieces that Eames fans have put in their furniture arrangements. The Noguchi coffee table is a popular choice.
| See what I mean? |
Ideabook updated on Nov. 15, 2012.
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People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
http://www.dwr.com/product/designers/d-g/charles-ray-eames/eames-molded-plywood-dining-chair-dcm.do?keyword=eames+molded+ply&sortby=ourPicks&page=2
http://www.hermanmiller.com/Products/Eames-Molded-Plywood-Chairs Herman Miller was the original manufacturer of the Eames Chair and still is. You can find local dealers through their website. If you're interested in learning more about Herman Miller and all the classic furniture they still manufacture, check out this link to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit which did an exhibit on HMI this past spring http://www.thehenryford.org/events/goodDesign.aspx
my dad (the architect) taught me years ago that the piece that attaches the seat to the back is different. it's up higher in the thornets.
thanks for this ideabook. love these chairs. nice job.