Eames lounge chair
To own one is to own a piece of living history, a vessel of memories where stories are lived, shared, and passed on. It becomes part of the family, where future generations rest, dream, and play on the same surface you once did.
Iconic. Collectible. Timeless.
An enduring symbol of mid-century modernism and a beacon of thoughtful design. But what led to the creation of the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman — perhaps the most celebrated chair in design history?
the history of the iconic eames chair
The story of the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman (first named as 600 and 601 repsectively) starts, fittingly, in Hollywood. Ray and Charles paid a visit to their friend, famed British film director, screenwriter and producer, Billy Wilder (Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, The Seven Year Itch) on set.
After watching Wilder try and nap on makeshift lounge chairs in between takes, they were inspired to create a chair with a look of an old English club chair but with their playful, forward-thinking aesthetic applied. Comfort and functionality were as important as the look to the couple.
“The leather cushions do have built-in wrinkles to start with, but that is a clue that spells comfort to come, like the warm receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt.” Ray and Charles Eames
the design
The seat of the Lounge Chair has a permanent tilt. This angle supports your chest, so you’ll be more comfortable while reading, watching TV and conversing. This takes weight off your lower spine and distributes it to the back of the chair. Your lower back is supported by the seat’s lower cushions. (This makes you feel more relaxed.) The ottoman provides a health benefit: besides being a comfortable place to rest your feet, it helps restore normal blood circulation after a work day of constant sitting or standing."It's signature reclined position and contouring are iconic and still as modern and relevant as ever today.
There are many companies creating replicas today, but the original chair is only manufactured by Herman Miller and Vitra. Here at Cimmermann, we only sell the Eames Office licensed product made by their long-term collaborator and trusted partner in Europe, Vitra.
A design icon from 1956
The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Charles and Ray Eames is one of the most recognisable pieces of mid-century furniture design. Originally released in 1956, this chair redefined luxury — marrying modernist aesthetics with serious comfort. We offer the authentic Vitra Eames Lounge Chair, produced in Europe to the exacting standards of the Eames Foundation. Whether you know it as the Eames chair, the Eames armchair, or the original lounge chair, it remains a benchmark of elegance. Available in classic black leather and walnut veneer, or more contemporary finishes, the Vitra Eames Lounge is an heirloom-quality piece — and an icon of 20th-century design history.
Ray & Charles Eames: A creative partnership that changed the way we live
It’s vital to acknowledge that their work was a true collaboration and partnership of their complementary skills. In Charles’ own words:“Anything I can do, Ray can do better.”
The couple first crossed paths at the renowned Cranbrook Academy of Art, the same creative powerhouse that gave rise to talents like Florence Knoll and Eero Saarinen.
Charles came from a background in architecture and industrial design; Ray was an artist with a keen eye for color, detail, and soul.
In a world still largely dominated by male voices, the Eames partnership stood apart. Charles brought structure and form, Ray infused playfulness and empathy. Together, they redefined what modernism could look and feel like, not cold or clinical, but warm, human, and full of life.
“When Ray and Charles Eames designed a piece of furniture, they always took a human-centered approach,” — Amy Auscherman, Head of Archive and Brand Heritage at Herman Miller
After graduating, the Eameses moved to Los Angeles and founded the Eames Office — a creative lab where they began pushing the boundaries of materials like plywood and plastic. Their iconic “Kazam! machine” pressed together layers of thin wood veneer — first used to create innovative splints for wounded soldiers in WWII, and later, to shape some of the most beloved furniture designs in history.By the time the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman debuted in 1956, they were already celebrated as pioneers of modernist design. Competitions at MoMA helped establish their reputation, including Charles’ early collaboration with Eero Saarinen on the now-famous “Eiffel” DSW Chair.
endless combinations
classic
The Eames lounge chair and ottoman have become a benchmark in twentieth century design and with the iconic combination of with rosewood (Santos Palisander) shell, black base with black leather.
white
In addition to the classic black-pigmented walnut shell, Vitra collaborated with the Eames Office in recent years to produce two new versions: an all white version and an all-black version.
black
The iconic Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman is now available in a black version. The shells in black ash, the deep black leather and the carefully chosen details such as the aluminium parts in pitch black give the chair an elegant and exquisite look.
fabric
The Eames lounge chair and ottoman have become a benchmark in twentieth century design and has had a re-modelling with the cushions being covered in a sumptuous fabric as opposed to leather. Available with rosewood (Santos Palisander), American Cherry or walnut pigmented black frame with choice of colours for the beautiful fabric upholstery.
