Iisn’t it great how furniture that was designed in the first half of the 20th century (1900 – 1950) is still so “en vogue” today? I’m talking about famous designers like Mies van der Rohe, Ray and Charles Eames, Charles Corbusier, Arne Jacobsen, Frits Hansen, Eileen Gray etc. and their iconic designs like the Bibendum Chair, La Chaise and so on.

Unless you have been living in a cave or on another planet, I’m sure you have seen one of their furniture pieces around. In my next few posts I will write about these fascinating “visionairs” starting with Ray and Charles Eames today.

Ray and Charles Eames in their workshop

Ray and Charles Eames in their workshop

Ray and Charles Eames are known as one of the most important American designers of the 20th century. Their contributions to architecture, furniture design and  manufacturing were groundbraking at the time. The two met in New York in where Ray assisted Charles and Eero Saarinen preparing designs for the Museum of Modern Art’s “Organic Furniture Competition” for which they designed chairs of moulded plywood, which won the first prize.

They married in 1941 and moved to California, where they continued designing moulded plywood furniture. After their chair designs were called the “Chairs of the Century” by famous critic Esther McCoy, production was taken over by Herman Miller Inc. who still produces their furniture to this day. In Europe manufacturing is done by Vitra International and sales are booming.

Eames House

In 1949, Ray and Charles designed and built their own house in Pacific Palisades. Their innovative use of pre-fab materials made this house a mecca for architects and designer from all over the world. Here is an impression of their beautiful designs for your weekend inspiration, enjoy!

 

Eames RAR Rocking Chair, designed in 1950

Eames RAR Rocking Chair, designed in 1950

Eames lounge chair in black, 1956, via SmashCult.com

Eames lounge chair in black, 1956, via SmashCult.com

Eames lounge chair and ottoman, designed in 1956,  in white

Eames lounge chair and ottoman, designed in 1956, in white

The La Chaise Lounge chair by Eames, 1948

The La Chaise Lounge chair by Eames, 1948

Eames DSW Dining chair, designed in 1950,  via 79 Ideas

Eames DSW Dining chair, designed in 1950, via 79 Ideas

Tom Dixon lamps and Eames RAR chairs via Vosgeparis

Tom Dixon lamps and Eames RAR chairs via Vosgeparis

Eames Aluminium Group chair in the home office

Eames Aluminium Group chair in the home office

Eames Aluminium Group chairs in the real office

Eames Aluminium Group chairs in the real office 

La Chaise in white

La Chaise in white

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Remodeling and Home Design
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