Charles and Ray Eames Lounge Chairs

There’s perhaps no more recognizable moniker of mid-century modern furniture than the Eames chair, used, of course, to describe that ubiquitous leather-and-wood lounge that has been making its way into interiors since 1956. But the Eames lounger is just one of many iconic seats credited to the “first couple” of modern American design. Indeed, the name Eames is virtually synonymous with American mid-century seating — and for good reason.

Together, husband-and-wife duo Charles and Ray Eames (1907–78; 1912–88) designed some of the most recognizable and enduring chairs not only of the 20th century but in all of American history.

The couple met in 1940 at the illustrious Cranbrook Academy of Art — which would become the go-to art school for the icons of mid-century modernism — where they befriended design luminaries Eero Saarinen and Harry Bertoia. Charles and Ray married afterward, then moved to Los Angeles in 1941. There, they embarked on a streak of design experimentation, resulting in a staggering output of furniture across a multitude of often quite experimental materials.

Central to one of their most groundbreaking material developments was the “Kazam!” machine, a handmade, bicycle-pump-operated apparatus for molding layers of plywood together. This method would prove the basis for some of the couple’s most recognizable seats, including their DCW and DCM dining chairs, both produced for Herman Miller, whose director of design, George Nelson, tapped Charles in 1946. This partnership would go on to be one of the most prolific in modern design history, with Eames furniture still topping best-seller lists for the manufacturer today. Although Ray was notably absent from that Herman Miller contract — as well as from many historic recognitions of her husband’s work — she and Charles were true partners, working collaboratively on nearly all design projects.

Never content with one medium, Charles and Ray would go on to experiment with fiberglass, a low-cost, easily manipulatable material that aligned with their belief in mass, accessible design. The couple dipped a toe in making virtually every type of furniture, including coffee tables, dining tables, desks and even their clever Eames storage units, given the moniker “working art” upon their 1949 debut at the Detroit Institute of Arts. A fitting label, indeed, for all of the couple’s furnishings, even if they’re best remembered for their chair designs.

The Eames molded fiberglass side chairs and armchairs were released through Herman Miller in 1950. Their efforts also extended to the workplace (where Herman Miller got its start): Their 1958 Executive chair remains a staple in offices around the globe.

Browse a vast selection of vintage Eames lounge chairs and other innovative and long-admired seating designed by the Eameses today on 1stDibs.