Set on a simple metal frame with a seat that extends just 2.5 feet from the wall — yet comfortably seats three adults — the Eames Sofa Compact, created by visionary American designers Charles and Ray Eames (1907–78; 1912–88), is a prime example of the pair’s continual exploration of new ways to achieve comfort with minimal materials.
In 1949, the Eameses built the Eames House, their Pacific Palisades home and studio and a building that would become both a breeding ground for fresh design ideas and a real-time example of modern living.
The home was conceived as part of a challenge put forth by Arts & Architecture magazine to develop low-cost modern housing in Los Angeles, an idea that aligned nicely with the efforts the Eameses had been making in affordable furniture for mass production. The sofa they designed to fit neatly into an alcove in the house would serve as a model for the Eames Sofa Compact, which would be manufactured by Herman Miller within the subsequent several years.
By the time the Eameses moved into Case Study House No. 8, as it is officially known, they had both graduated from Cranbrook Academy of Art, the esteemed art school and launching pad for a multitude of design luminaries (their peers included Florence Knoll and Eero Saarinen), and moved to Los Angeles. In their first apartment there, the couple began experimenting with bent and molded plywood using their “Kazam! Machine,” a device that pressed strips of wood into moldable pieces, allowing for increased flexibility in shape for wood furniture, such as their DCW dining chair.
In the decades that followed, the Eameses continued to experiment with new methods for producing furniture quickly and cheaply. The first prototype for the Sofa Compact was completed in 1951 with a metal frame and folding back. It was designed to pack flat for easy shipping. In 1954, the final version of the sofa went into production through Herman Miller, which offered it in a variety of upholstery options.
Although the sofa’s seat is thin, its ergonomic shape and firm pads of urethane foam make it feel much more plush than it appears. Today the Eameses are among Herman Miller’s best-known furniture designers, and the manufacturer offers the Sofa Compact in three colors.
An early version of the sofa still sits in the Eames House, now a National Historic Landmark. It’s draped in a blanket — an apt metaphor for the Eameses’ creation of modernism that was never cold.
Eames Sofa Compact for Herman Miller, Alexander Girard Maharam Fabric, 2 Avail
By Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
This classic mid century modern Eames Sofa Compact Model S-473 produced in 2005 has been professionally reupholstered in a Maharam limited color reissue of Jacob's Coat, a beautiful ...
Aluminum, Steel
Mid Century Eames Herman Miller Sofa Compact, Alexander Girard Maharam Fabric
By Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
This classic vintage mid century modern Eames Sofa Compact Model S-473 circa early 1980s has been professionally reupholstered in a Maharam limited color reissue of Jacob's Coat, a b...
Aluminum, Cut Steel
Mid Century Blue Sofa Compact by Eames for Herman Miller 1970s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
This classic vintage mid century modern Eames Compact Sofa Model S-473 is circa 1970. The sofa has been professionally reupholstered in a gorgeous Herman Miller blue nubby fabric. Th...
Steel, Chrome
$8,450
H 27.75 in W 19.25 in D 21 in
Alexander Girard for Herman Miller "Girard Group" Side Chair, 1967
By Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in Coronado, CA
A rare "Girard Group" side chair #66306 produced by Alexander Girard for Herman Miller in 1967. The sculpted aluminum base is in excellent original condition with perfect patina, and...
Aluminum
$2,700Sale Price|25% Off
H 36 in W 72 in D 30 in
Original Mid century Compact Sofa by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Eames sofa compact with orange Herman miller woven upholstery. Charles and Ray Eames compact couch is great design that keeps a subtle profile. The cushioned pads that form ...
Steel, Chrome
$5,921 / set
H 32.29 in W 25.6 in D 21.66 in
Armchairs by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s, set of 6
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 6 fiberglass chairs in orange color with chrome metal legs. Stamped H by Herman Miller on the bottom. Wear due to time and age of chairs. Seat height:...
Metal
$3,553
H 34.65 in W 22.84 in D 24.41 in
Soft Pad Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Brown leather chair with an aluminum base and casters. Seating height: 54 cm. Stamped “Herman Miller.” Wear due to age and time. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Aluminum
$10,925Sale Price|24% Off
H 33.5 in W 80 in D 31 in
Eames Three-Seat Sofa by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller, Signed
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An icon of American modernism and one of the most refined seating designs of the 20th century, this is the celebrated Eames Three-Seat Sofa designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herm...
Leather, Walnut
Eames La Fonda Armchair on Casters by Herman Miller, 1970s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Dronten, NL
A striking vintage La Fonda armchair by Charles and Ray Eames, dating from the 1970s. Designed as part of the celebrated La Fonda series, this chair combines the sculptural form of a...
Aluminum, Steel
$4,410
H 27.17 in W 60.63 in D 31.5 in
1970s Herman Miller 2-Seater MG 102 ‘Chiclet’ Sofa by Ray Wilkes Reupholstered
By Ray Wilkes, Herman Miller
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
An original Herman Miller "Chiclet" sofa, designed by Ray Wilkes in the 1970s and acquired from the deceased estate of a former Herman Miller employee. The two-seater takes its name ...
Steel
$7,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.75 in W 27.75 in D 29 in
Vintage Alexander Girard Side Chair for Herman Miller
By Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage Alexander Girard armchair. The chair is upholstered in a olive color fabric. The classic color tone allow for the armchair to be a g...
Aluminum
Vintage Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Offered here is a rare and highly collectible “Model 0693” Sofa, designed by George Nelson as part of his visionary Modular Seating System for Herman Miller, produced between 1956 an...
Metal
$1,950 / set
H 32 in W 25.5 in D 24.5 in
Ray Charles Eames Herman Miller Padded Arm Shell Chairs Alexander Girard a Pair
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A pair of fiberglass arm shell chair designed by Ray & Charles Eames and produced by Herman Miller in 1972. The white shells contrast nicely with cerulean blue seats and royal blue p...
Aluminum
Compact Sofa By Ray And Charles Eames For Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern Compact sofa was designed by the iconic American husband-and-wife design team Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller in 1954. The Compact model was originall...
Steel, Chrome
$5,850
H 34.25 in W 72.25 in D 30 in
Sofa Compact by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. New Paul Smith Fabric
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
This distinctive Eames Sofa Compact has been expertly reupholstered in Paul Smith Stripes fabric. This modern armless sofa has a high backrest split into two horizontal cushions. It...
Steel, Chrome
Mid Century Orange Sofa Compact by Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Detroit, MI
This classic vintage mid century modern orange Eames Compact Sofa Model S-473 was manufactured by Herman Miller in the late 20th century. Charles and Ray Eames originally designed th...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 35 in W 72.5 in D 30 in
"Compact Sofa" Ray & Charles Eames Godparents Gift to Eric Saarinen, Original
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
This slim, upright modern "Compact Sofa" designed by Ray & Charles Eames was a gift to their Godson, Erik Saarinen, son of their good friend Eero Saarinen. Both Ray and Charles Eames attended Cranbrook Academy of Art where they met Eero Saarinen and became godparents to Erik. The sofa was given to Eric who is now selling this piece of history. Provenance is directly from Eric Saarinen...
Steel
Sold
H 35 in W 72 in D 30 in
1970s Midcentury Orange Sofa Compact by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Detroit, MI
Charles and Ray Eames designed the Eames Sofa Compact in 1954 based on a built-in sofa the couple had designed for their Pacific Palisades home in the 1940s. This freestanding version has been in continuous production ever since. This vintage Eames Sofa...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 35 in W 72 in D 18 in
Herman Miller Compact Sofa by Charles & Ray Eames with Alexander Girard Fabric
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller compact sofa, circa early 1970s. This example retains its original 'Checker Split' upholstery by Ale...
Steel
Eames Compact Sofa for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Charles and Ray Eames compact sofa for Herman Miller, 2006 Blue Upholstery Measures: 72 1/4” x 30” D x 35” H Condition: Ver...
Steel
Sold
H 34.65 in W 71.66 in D 29.93 in
Very Early S-73 Compact Sofa by Eame, ICF Licensed by Herman Miller, 1958
By ICF Group, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Munster, NRW
This S-73 Compact Sofa version is a very early and rare version produced in the late 1950s by the italian herman miller licensee ifc . we have renewed the upholstery and covered it w...
Metal
Sold
H 35 in W 72.5 in L 35 in
Midcentury Eames Compact Sofa by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Eames
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Original Eames sofa compact with original Alexander Girard charcoal black fabric. Charles and Ray Eames’ compact couch is great desi...
Steel, Chrome
Eames Compact Sofa in Maharam Small Dot Pattern
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Seattle, WA
Sleek and handsome iconic compact sofa designed by Charles and Ray Eames and manufactured by Herman Miller, circa 2000s. The compact sofa folds down, originally designed to pack flat for easy shipping. This sofa was custom ordered by the original owner, in Maharam Small Dot Pattern...
Metal
Eames Mid-Century Modern Compact Sofa by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Sleek and handsome iconic compact sofa designed by Charles and Ray Eames and manufactured by Herman Miller. Upholstered in a dark red Naugahyde, this very comfortable sofa does not f...
Chrome
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Eames Sofa Compact in Blue by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome blue Mid-Century Modern sofa compact designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. It is in wonderful original vintage condition. We have not found any outstanding fl...
Steel
Sold
H 35 in W 72 in D 30 in
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller Chromed-Steel and Mohair Compact Sofa
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage compact sofa designed in 1954 by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. An adaptable piece whose dramatic, clean lines and slim profile suit small and large spaces, alike (...
Steel, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Early Eames Sofa Compact by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Highland, IN
The sofa compact designed by Charles and Ray Eames developed from the built-in sofa they created for their groundbreaking steel home. It features a steel ...
Chrome, Stainless Steel, Steel
