Mid-century design continues to reign supreme in the world of interiors.
Mad Men may have finished in 2015 (we know!) but the clamour for old-school furniture and design from the mid-40s to the 70s shows no signs of abating.
Mid-century furniture is all about clean lines, sleek minimalism and wood. A lot of wood. Think polished teak, deep mahogany and warm caramel timber and you’re in the right neck of the woods.
Eames chairs, invented by husband-and-wife duo Charles and Ray Eames in 1956, emerged as a defining style of the era.
What is an Eames chair?
If you’re an interiors nerd, we’re certain you’ll have come across these ergonomic seats before. Made up of three parts for the seat, the seat back and the headrest, each portion is wrapped in curved wooden shells with most bolts and screws hidden from view, giving the illusion that each piece is floating.
What kind of chair is an Eames chair?
The chair falls into the lounge chair category, especially since it comes with a matching footstool or ottoman that also sports a curved wooden shell.
It’s not all looks either: the original chair and stool, priced at $310 according to the 2010 book The Story of Eames Furniture, was perfectly pitched to offer superior support as well as style. The permanently reclined design alleviates pressure from the lower back, creating an anti-gravity effect that is comfortable for hours on end. No wonder Eames chairs are a highly coveted aspirational choice for home offices - especially amongst millennial men.
How expensive is an Eames chair?
The mid-century $310 price tag is long gone; today you’re looking at far more than a few thousand for an original (John Lewis has one for just shy of £10k), cementing an Eames chair as an aspirational status symbol for the up-and-coming urban professional.
Does that mean you have to wait to win the lottery to buy a piece? Not if you shop for chairs inspired by the Eames aesthetic. Just as high street brands release pieces inspired by high fashion catwalks, so too do furniture companies launch collections based on iconic designs from the past and present.
Often dubbed as ‘revival’, it means the average person can join the trend for less.
If you’re enamoured with Eames style but don’t have the deep pockets needed to procure an original, we’ve rounded up the best tributes below.
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Vitra Eames Premium Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Black/Palisander
The classic design has been revived by Vitra using original methods for authenticity. The foam cushioned seat comes with a matching ottoman with each part held in a moulded plywood and palisander veneer frame to recreate the vintage effect. It will arrive fully assembled - as it should for such a high price tag - and can support up to 120kg.
It is a stunning choice for aspiring and current CEOs.
Buy now £9970.00, John Lewis
George Oliver Zora Faux Leather Swivel Recliner with Footstool
This high-backed chair bears some original Eames hallmarks, like curved wood and a coordinating footstool, at a considerably reduced price.
It may not be an original but it sure is comfy thanks to the leather effect cushioned seat, recline and position lock features and adjustable lumbar support.
Buy now £609.99, Wayfair
Mercury Row Alkes Manual Swivel Recliner
All too often Eames chairs follow a moody aesthetic: it’s all black leather and dark wood. Mercury Row offers a lighter take on the iconic style in this swivel chair. With a deep seat and manual recline, the chair works as well in a home office as it will in the lounge with a footstool to kick up your feet when it’s time to relax. Also available in black, the faux leather offers a luxury feel without anywhere near the guilt or the cost of a genuine hide.
Assembly required.
Buy now £133.99, Wayfair
Folk Folkbury Retro Style Faux Leather Dining/Office Chair
Moving out of the study and into the kitchen or dining room, this chair screams Eames. It's all down to the curved walnut seat and backrest which echo the design's style, some 70-odd years later.
Generously padded and upholstered with faux leather, it's a lovely option to upgrade dining tables but can be used as an occasional chair to use when guests call.
Buy now £90.99, Amazon
Furniturebox UK Parker Tall Executive Faux Leather and Brown Wood chair
For gaming or working with style, this sleek chair combines the comfort of a genuine Eames with the functionality that modern life demands. While it doesn't come with a matching footstool, the chair is adjustable and swivels, sitting on castor wheels to facilitate a wide range of movement.
Buy now £154.99, Amazon
Muscat Fabric Swivel Recliner Chair with Footstool
The only thing missing from this swivel chair set-up is an extra-furry cat to position on your lap, for the inevitable moment of spinning around and saying “I’ve been expecting you”. While it doesn’t come with a feline included, it does feature soft-touch fabric upholstery, an ‘easy twist’ handle to operate the manual recliner and a fashionable addition to all kinds of room setups. Its star base has plenty of retro-modern appeal in curved wood with an oak finish.
Buy now £449.00, Furniture Village
West Elm Slope Leather Office Chair
If you are looking for a sophisticated addition to your newly formed home office, this leather iteration from West Elm has got you covered. The chair comes in either tan or grey and has a curved design. Not only does it look suave placed behind your desk, but it is very functional with a height-adjustable construction and swivel base. The top-grain leather is durable and will get better with age.
Buy now £486.75, West Elm
Three Posts Accent Dining Chair
With elegant curves, tapered legs and a smattering of padded faux leather where it counts, this is a chair that will harmonise with any interior style. Give it a starring role in your living room or bedroom, or get multiple ones to give your dining table a sophisticated little lift.
Buy now £117.99, Wayfair
Latitude Run Arocha Leather Reception Chair
The egg chair, originally designed for a hotel chain and to replace sofas, is the fastest route to elevate your space. The futuristic shape may have been knocking around for the best part of 50 years, but it still manages to look contemporary and is an instant focal point. This minimalist version has been made in Poland using real leather to create a sumptuous seat you won’t tire of looking at or sitting on.
Buy now £699.99, Wayfair
