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 and Ray Eames Storage unit 2 modular bookcase by Vitra
By Charles Eames
Located in Milano, IT
COD-CV174 Charles and Ray Eames Storage unit, 2 modular bookcase with 3 or 6 shelves in birch plywood with open compartments and compartments closed by colored metal panels. Vitra...
Metal
$3,596Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 75.5 in W 30 in D 18 in
1970s Bernhardt Chinoiserie 3-Piece Modular Bookcase Wall Unit
By Bernhardt
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Extraordinary 3-piece Chinoiserie wall-unit by Bernhardt. This captivating Asian inspired system is comprised of three individual cabinets. The cabinets are stand alone and can be us...
Brass
Danish Bookcase w/ Storage
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This mid-century modern standing bookcase features adjustable shelves, drawers, and drop front cabinet storage. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Teak
$2,132
H 57.09 in W 30.32 in D 24.61 in
Usm Haller Storage Unit White, Grey and Stainless Steel Designed by Fritz Haller
By Usm Haller
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This design has been in production sinds it was created in 1969 by Swiss architect Fritz Haller. The units can be refigured (and extended) at any point. This storage unit has four o...
Stainless Steel
Charles & Ray Eames ESU 400 Storage Unit, 1994 USA
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Eames storage unit for Herman Miller made in 1994. Great colors and designs on plywood. Plenty of storage space with wooden panels on the top and bottom. Shelves and 3 drawers in the...
Steel
Bespoke Industrial Shelving and Storage Unit or Bookcase
By Get Back, Inc.
Located in Oakville, CT
Industrial hand-finished plywood, steel and cast iron shelving / storage / bookcase unit is hand-built in our Connecticut workshop using all America...
Steel, Iron
$1,836
H 29.14 in W 45.67 in D 16.93 in
Wooden Storage Unit "Archimede" by Hirozi Fukuoh for Gavina, 1962
By Dino Gavina
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Modular furniture "Archimede" designed by Hirozi Fukuoh and produced by Gavina in 1962. These are storage units in veneered paniforte with load-bearing s...
Iron
$4,700 / item
H 90 in W 101.5 in D 8 in
Shelving Storage Expandable Wall Unit Modular Custom Bookcase System
By Tim Byrne
Located in Oakville, CT
Custom modular shelving storage bookcase system by Get Back Inc. In the vintage Industrial style. System as shown includes ten 8″ shelves, three beams...
Metal, Steel
$7,226
H 71.26 in W 96.46 in D 19.69 in
Italian Wardrobe Bookcase, Modular Wall Unit by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1960s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
"Italian modular wall unit attributed to Vittorio Dassi, produced in the 1960s. The piece combines open shelving and a wardrobe module within a vertically structured system. The com...
Ash, Teak
$5,446
H 75.01 in W 44.49 in D 17.92 in
HARRODS LONDON REH KENNEDY ASTRAL GLAZED LiBRARY BOOKCASE CUPBOARD STORAGE UNIT
By Harrods, Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this absolutely stunning REH Kennedy England made for Harrods London Astral Glazed library bookcase...
Hardwood, Glass
Bespoke Industrial Shelving and Storage Unit
By Get Back, Inc.
Located in Oakville, CT
Industrial hand-finished plywood, steel and cast iron shelving / storage / bookcase unit is hand-built in our Connecticut workshop using all America...
Steel, Iron
$925
H 44.5 in W 35.4 in D 11.1 in
Teak Bookcase Open Storage Shelving Unit Danish Mid-Century Modern 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Featuring clean lines and open shelving, this piece offers functional storage with minimalist charm. Simple tapered legs elevate the frame for an airy profile. It showcases classic D...
Teak
$2,072Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 64.97 in W 39.38 in D 14.57 in
Kartell Sundial Modular Bookcase in Crystal and White by Nendo
By Kartell, Nendo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sundial is the bookcase whose dividing elements, placed in different directions, create a game of unexpected and original proportions.
Resin
Midcentury Eames Contract Storage 'ECS' Unit
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Eames
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration this is extremely rare Eames wall unit produced in 1961. The ECS are seldom found and only produce for a short period of time. ...
Steel, Chrome