The legacy of Charles Eames looms large in design. In partnership with his wife, Ray, Charles was at the forefront of pioneering innovation in the use of molded plywood for furniture making. The Eameses’ cheerful and inviting work has endured among the most important advancements in the history of 20th-century design.
Together, visionary mid-century modern duo Charles and Ray Eames introduced a wide range of renowned furniture to the postwar market, including iconic designs such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, the wildly colorful birch plywood-and-plastic-laminate Eames storage unit, the Eames compact sofa and more. The designers were trailblazers in molded plywood furniture and brought lively organic form to metal and plastic.
Charles Eames studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis. He traveled to Mexico and Europe, and experienced firsthand the work of designer-architects Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. In 1930, upon returning to Missouri, Eames opened an architecture practice with Charles M. Gray but later moved to Michigan in 1938. He received a fellowship at Cranbrook Academy of Art, which would become a breeding ground for the stars of mid-century design. Eames continued his architecture studies at Cranbrook and also taught in the design department.
In 1940, Eames met his future wife, artist and designer Beatrice Alexandra "Ray" Kaiser, who was studying at Cranbrook under Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann. Charles teamed up with another Cranbrook instructor, Finnish-American designer Eero Saarinen, to explore the possibilities of plywood for use in furniture design.
With support from Ray, Charles and Eero created chairs and case pieces and submitted them to the “Organic Design in Home Furnishings” competition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City — among them was the groundbreaking organic Side chair made of molded plywood with maple legs. It was upholstered by Heywood-Wakefield. This exhibition is considered critical by many to the popularization of what is known as mid-century modernism. Eames and Saarinen won first place for their submissions to the competition.
Charles and Ray were married in 1941 and soon after moved to Los Angeles, California, and lived in an apartment building designed by architect Richard Neutra. Charles worked on set design at MGM, and at night, in a humble workshop they established in the guest bedroom, he and Ray experimented with molded plywood on a homemade device they called the “Kazaam!” machine. In 1942, the couple won a U.S. Navy contract to create molded plywood leg splints that would be used to support wartime medical efforts. Soon, the Evans Product Company was making the splints and the Eameses opened the famed Eames Office and studio.
The Eameses’ innovative use of wire framing, molded plywood and applied fabrics caught the attention of many notable figures in interior design and architecture, including George Nelson, director of design at Herman Miller, a now-legendary modern furniture manufacturer. The company enlisted the Eameses’ talents and was eventually home to the couple’s classic pieces such as the Eames DCW chair and the DCM chair.
Find an extensive array of vintage Charles Eames seating, tables and case pieces on 1stDibs.
Charles Eames Herman Miller Mid Century Modern Multi Color Compact Sofa Loveseat
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Charles Eames Herman Miller Mid Century Modern Multi Color Compact Sofa Loveseat Bench
Steel, Chrome
$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, Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
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
$11,500Sale Price|20% 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 Eames, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
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
$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 Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
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 Modern Peter Hvidt Style Sofa
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique midcentury sofa features stylish curved armrests, original studded upholstery, and a unique finish. Please confirm item location (NY or ...
Upholstery
$6,300Sale Price|25% Off
H 34 in W 47 in D 25 in
Restored Charles Eames for Herman Miller Tandem Seating System w Edelman Leather
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exemplary Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller 'Tandem' seating system was designed in 1962, originally for Chicago O'Hare airport and then adopted by many other airports and...
Aluminum
$8,500
H 32 in W 132 in D 24 in
Three-Seat Shell Tandem Sofa By Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller C.1974
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Bernville, PA
Rare tandem shell seating designed by Charles & Ray Eames, USA 1974. This piece features three white fiberglass and light purple vinyl seats with Formica tables on each end sitting o...
Chrome
Classic Mid Century Modern Scandinavian Sofa
Located in Dronten, NL
Classic compact Danish 1940s sofa in original dark grey/brown upholstery. One-off piece made in the high end old school way with straps and horsehair interior that is made to last fo...
Fabric, Wood
$11,160Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31 in W 75 in D 30 in
Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut Settee Sofas
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut Settee Sofas. Iconic Mid-Century design, 1970’s America. Masterfully restored in an ebony wood finish with brass foot caps. Completed in a l...
Brass
George Nelson for Herman Miller 0639 Mid Century Sofa
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller 0639 Mid Century Sofa This sofa measures: 95.5 wide x 30.5 deep x 27.25 inches high, with a seat height of 15.75 and arm height of 22 inches Good Vi...
Upholstery
Mid Century Blue Sofa Compact by Eames for Herman Miller 1970s
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
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
$12,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 108 in D 57 in
Custom Mid-Century Modern Inspired Curved Sofa Couch by Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Custom Mid-Century Modern inspired curved sofa couch by Carrocel. Custom hand crafted by the artisans at Carrocel in a sleek modern fabric with unique curved design. Includes 2 match...
Fabric, Wood
Charles Eames Sofa Compact
By Charles Eames
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A very rare and rather exceptional sofa compact by Charles Eames for Herman Miller. This example is special for a few reasons. It is a very early model as evidenced by the centre metal bracket. It is also a folding example. Later pieces were fixed in place. This sofa also retains the original vintage Alexander Girard "giant stripe" textile. A very rare thing as most were reupholstered of originally upholstered in a basic vinyl or wool . This textile and construction dates the sofa to approx. 1959. This is most likely the best example of a vintage Sofa Compact available for sale. A true museum example. From Herham Miller website: Why “compact” for a sofa that’s six feet wide and seats three? The clean profile of the Eames sofa compact...
Metal
Sold
H 34 in W 47 in D 25 in
Tandem Sling by Eames for Herman Miller, Restored in Edelman Leather, circa 1962
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ray and Charles Eames were commissioned to design the perfect utilitarian seating for the first international airports in 1962. Created for comfort and convenience, this iconic chair...
Aluminum