My ultimate design icon

If I had to list one designer whose work and aesthetic I admire the most it would have to be Charles and Ray Eames. Ok, that’s two designers, but boy were they a force to be reckoned with.

Even people who have no knowledge of designer furniture and who have never heard of the husband and wife team will likely be able to recognise at least one of their many signature pieces; such is their influence over the design world. The Eameses pioneered the use of moulded plywood and fibreglass, creating some of the most exciting designs the world has ever seen. Their simple design principle was ‘Better living through better design’.  

As a teenager I used to pore over interior design magazines and would find myself earmarking ‘Eiffel’ dining chairs over and over again. Not surprisingly some 15 plus years later I now have those same DSR plastic and metal dining chairs (in white of course). 

Photo: Bigtime Design Studios

 Photo: Steve Domoney Architecture

 Photo: Gosto Design & Lifestyle

Photo: Optimise Design

I have always admired the Eames Lounge Chair. That familiar wood veneer base, the tufted black leather. Classically cool. I find it mind-blowing that the manufacture of this chair is almost exactly the same as it was when it was first put into production in 1956. I crave one of my own.

Photo: Herman Miller

Of course before the lounger chair came their LCW (or Lounge Chair Wood). The LCW was a moulded plywood lounge chair made up of two pieces (a back and a seat), and rubber mount shock absorbers for movement.

Photo: Eames Designs

The LCW caught the attention of manufacturer Herman Miller and thus began their relationship with the Eameses. TIME magazine designated this "The Best Design of the 20th Century". 

Over several decades the Eameses created many pieces of furniture including desks, stools, chairs and  storage units, as well as toys, films, exhibitions and probably their greatest achievement: the Eames House

Photo: Eames Designs

The fact that many of their designs are still desired today is a testament to the longevity and perfection of the original designs. Personally what I love is that whilst the designs are still relatively unchanged, they fit in so easily into a modern interior.

 Photo: Stardust Modern Design

 Photo: Herman Miller

 Photo: Platinum Building Group Pty Ltd

 Photo: Chris Nguyen

Photo: Design Manifest

Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2013 Houzz

 Photo: Janel Holiday Interior Design

 Photo: colorTHEORY Boston

What do you think of Ray and Charles Eames and their legacy? Do you secretly covet one of their pieces (or are you lucky enough to own one)? Who’s your design icon?