As we celebrate design excellence in this issue, we thought we’d tribute one piece of furniture that we’re all happy to see at the end of the day: the chair. From iconic midcentury modern pieces to our favorite recliners and lounges in pop culture, here’s our ode to our favorite four-legged - in most cases - friend.
Rockin’ Chairs
For more than 50 years, the name Eames has been synonymous with chair design. It all started in 1946 when the husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames began their relationship with Herman Miller (a long-time well-known American furniture manufacturer) and designed their famous molded plywood chair.
Earlier in the decade, Charles was working on MGM movie sets and made a groundbreaking discovery in wood-molding. The United States Navy even commissioned the pair to create plywood splints, stretchers and glider shells, molded under heat and pressure to be used during World War II. Later on, such techniques were utilized to fashion the molded plywood chair that has been heralded for its ability to fit the contours of the body and its relevance in both home and office settings—even today. “It takes years for a product to reach icon status, and over time, consumers have realized that this chair does what few accomplish—it embodies aesthetic integrity, enduring charm and comfort,” says Gregg VanderKooi, classics manager for Herman Miller For the Home. Further establishing the Eames chair’s iconic status, it was named Time Magazine’s Best Design of the 20th Century in 1999.
Nearly 10 years after the Eames chair made its debut, Arne Jacobsen designed the Egg chair for the lobby and reception areas of the Royal Hotel in Denmark. Because of its cocoonlike shape, “it’s designed to give a bit of privacy,” says Kris Fuchs, principal and marketing public relations director of furniture showroom Suite New York. Since 1958, the Egg chair has been commended for its versatility and prevalence in pop culture (see On-Screen Seating on P. 101). “Today, it’s still an icon around the world and vintage Eggs sell globally amongst the most prestigious auction houses for $20,000 and up,” Fuchs says.
