Eames Chaise

Motivated by the urgent need for low-cost housing and furnishing designs in the immediate postwar period, MoMA sponsored the "1948 International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design." Charles made prototypes of "La Chaise" for this competition

the seat was inspired by Gaston Lachaise, the floating figure sculpture.

This model was reproduced around 1990 by Vitra.

Philippe Starck and Woo Bajolyodin are two of the fans of this model, which they proudly display in thier homes.

Dimensions:
H 34.25" D 35.5" W 53"
Seat Height 15.5"

Materials:
Chromed steel legs; fiberglass shell; solid oak base.

Just 18 inches wide, this lightly scaled chaise fits in a study, an office - even a hallway. Its soft foam cushions rest atop a gently sloping frame and two loose cushions give added support under the neck, back or legs. Remarkably comfortable, the development of the chaise was inspired by Hollywood director Billy Wilder. In a conversation with friends Charles and Ray Eames, Wilder mentioned that he often took his afternoon nap on a foot-wide plank slung between two sawhorses in the Nova Scotia lighthouse where he was filming "The Spirit of St. Louis." Wilder's unique solution stayed with the Eameses, who introduced their beautifully sculpted chaise in 1968.

Dimensions:

H 29.5" D 76.5" W 18"

Materials:

Black leather upholstery; 2-inch-thick urethane foam cushions with polyester fiber batting; nylon supporting sling. Die-cast aluminum frame coated with eggplant-colored, electrostatically applied nylon; high-impact, black nylon glides.