If you are at all interested in interior design and home decor, you have likely come across the iconic Eames Chair lounge and ottoman. This celebrated piece, with a permanent spot at the MOMA, was the creation of designer power couple Charles and Ray Eames.
The couple is widely known for their pioneering and innovative furniture design, being among the first to explore the use of plywood, plastics, and metal in their pieces. The Eames chair upon its debut in 1956, became an instant classic and widely loved piece. I am lucky enough to have the Eames lounge chair and ottoman (in fact I am lounging on it as I write this) and it’s hands down my favorite piece of furniture I own.
I am going to break down everything you need to know about the Eames chair and ottoman. If you are considering splurging on this gorgeous set or have always been curious about what the fuss is, read on.
Everything you need to know about the Eames chair and ottoman
So you want to get the Eames Chair and ottoman, here are your options:
The chair and ottoman can be purchased separately but usually shown together. There are lots of different options in terms of the leather color, grade, and wood finish. The most commonly seen version of the chair is the standard contract-grade leather in either black or white. There is the option to upgrade to MCL leather or Mohair Supreme colors. You can also further customize the fabric selection by working with Herman Miller directly and getting a custom order.
The wood back for the chair and ottoman come in an ebony-stained or white ash veneer shell finish. The ebonized one comes in the choice of black MCL Leather or one of several Mohair colors. White ash shells wrap cushions upholstered in a choice of MCL Leather options or one of several Mohair Supreme colors.
I happen to have a custom light gray MCL leather paired with the high-performance walnut and after 7 years it looks brand new, even with a certain pup claiming it as his favorite napping spot.
As for the wood, the original chair used Brazilian Rosewood. The modern chairs come in an oiled finish, or a high-performance lacquered plywood. The oiled finish is more high maintenance, but closer to what the original chair was. It will require oiling it every few years to maintain its luster. This option comes in walnut and Santos Palisander veneers. The high-performance lacquered plywood shell is available in walnut, ebony ash, white ash, and Palisander. I prefer the high-performance lacquered finish that requires nothing more than dusting and has more wood veneer options.
How to style the Eames chair and ottoman
One of the reasons this piece is so popular is because it goes really well with so many decor styles. It is a mid-century modern piece but then it works extremely well with a variety of home styles. When buying one, I would pay attention to the selection one the wood veneer. Walnut is pretty neutral and a safe bet. However, if you have lighter pieces go with the white ash.
The Eames chair lounge and ottoman do not really need anything extra other than adequate floor space to comfortably place them in your room without it becoming cluttered. The chair swivels as well so make sure you give the chair at least two feet on each side. Pairing it with an L-shaped sofa or in a strategic corner is a great way to go. As with any leather/fabric pieces be careful to place it away from direct light so that the sun rays don’t damage or fade the finishes.
But is the Eames lounge and ottoman set comfortable?
The short answer is YES! It absolutely is. The tilt of the chair is fixed at an angle that is both ergonomic and supportive for the lower back. The ottoman is at the perfect elevation to restore proper blood flow and proper circulation to your legs. The lounge and ottoman set cushions also maintain their shape over time so there are no spots that become too flat after repeated use.
In 2010, a larger version of the chair lounge was introduced. For the extra tall among us, you may find the tall version is a better fit for you. Personally, I find the original size perfect and extremely comfortable. It is ergonomic and supportive so it’s a comfortable place to be for hours at a time. I actually spend most of my days reading and working from this chair.
What does it cost and should I buy an authentic one?
The chair and ottoman price starts at $4,995. It’s a hefty investment, that should not be considered casually. There are ways to get a good deal, without buying a fake. For example, buying a floor model in good condition will save you money and get you a great piece. I bought mine as a floor model and it cost less than the base price, even though it had a higher grade leather custom leather (that happened to be the exact shade I was looking for) and was in pristine condition.
As with anything, I will never recommend buying a replica or a fake of any designer piece. Knock-offs are unethical and detrimental to the designers that created them and perpetuate all sorts of crime and feed into a variety of serious social issues ranging from trafficking to pollution. It also drives the cost of the original piece to be even more expensive, further limiting who can purchase it. Many replicas and knockoffs aren’t actually that much cheaper, so I highly suggest sticking to the original. The real chair comes with a 5-year warranty, and you can also insure it so your investment is protected long term.
How to spot a real deal?
When purchasing one that isn’t from an authorized retailer, look for these tell signs that you are investing in the real thing. This article does a great job going in-depth on what to look out for when authenticating the Eames chair lounge and ottoman. I will summarize the more obvious things to look out for:
- check for a label that states who the manufacturer is. Herman Miller and Vitra hold the copyright of the design.
- Measure the size of the chair.
- The authentic original chair measures 31.5h x 33.5w x 35d, while the tall version measures 33.25in (h) x 33.5in (w) x 37.75in (d) and the ottoman is 17.13in (h) x 20.75in (w) x 21.5in (d).
- Check the back of the chair. If the reclining mechanism isn’t fixed or on the lower base of the back, it’s not an authentic piece.
- There shouldn’t be any exposed screws. price.
- Anything below $4500 is likely not authentic.
Authorized retailers are Herman Miller, DWR, and Vitra. You may also find it available in larger department stores like Bloomingdales. Be sure to shop around and take your time, as this is a lifetime investment that will only get better with age.
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