Eames Lounge Chair
02Sep09
The iconic Eames Lounge Chair. I have always wanted on, but I could never justify the price tag for one. But let’s just suppose for a second that I was going to buy one. Where is the best place to get one from? (I’m not sure there is even a physical store in SLC that sells them) Would I get one new or used? What’s the least expensive you have ever seen one for?
Also, if you are lucky enough to have one, share with us. Was it worth it?
And discuss…
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23 Responses to “Eames Lounge Chair”
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I would definitely keep my eyes on Ebay, People are needing to make house payments and are unloading. I would go used as long as it is authentic.
Ebay is an ok way to purchace a 670/671 lounge. Shipping costs may effect the overall price. A clean rosewood lounge is a pricey investment but a newer used walnut lounge could be purchased under 2K.
Also, Henricksen Butler is a Herman Miller dealer located in SLC.
We were lucky to get our hands on an authentic lounge chair second hand (cousin in real estate, client unloading furniture). It creates this great vignette with our Fortuny lamp and a big artwork on the wall over it. And it’s so comfy! It’s my favorite spot to read. Love it.
I’ve seen them regularly for the $2000-$2500 range, new. Herman Miller employees can get them at steep discounts and sell them new online all the time. Shipping is the killer, but if you can find an HM employee they’ll still have it boxed and ready to go. Or just drive to Zeeland, MI and pick one up off Craigslist, as they sell them on there all the time.
I have been in the same boat as you for the past 10 years or so. But that is about to change – delivery date is sept. 25. I went straight to the local herman miller rep (can be found on their website). Like steve said, they give steep discounts to employees as well as design professionals (one of the perks of being an Architect). So the cheapest I’ve seen one is for what I’m getting it for – $2200, free shipping. Can’t wait! you fall into the design professional category – right?
I personally would go for a used one with Brazilian Rosewood… hey I can dream!
If you decide new or you want to check it out in person Manhattan Loft in SLC is a Herman Miller dealer.
Believe it or not, I actually found one last December sitting outside with a “FREE” sign taped to it. It was broken – the arm rests and back were detached from the seat. That was a $200 + shipping to California repair. The cushions are sort of flat and torn around the edges in some places. The cushion zippers are stuck. It took a lot of cleaning to get the cigar smell out.
But a real live HM (with the ottoman) for less than $350! I’m still really excited about it. It would be a long time before I could have afforded one otherwise.
I can’t believe it was given away. I don’t know if the previous owner thought the repair was impossible, or if they didn’t know what they had. It blows my mind.
Great comments everyone.
I know HB is the local HM rep but I haven’t heard many good stories of average joe’s trying to buy stuff from them. I thought manhattan loft went out of business a long time ago, might have to check into that.
I love LOVE stories of people getting amazing classics for next to nothing. NIce score scott!
I found one at a church garage sale for 600 afew years ago, and about three months ago I bought two with one ottoman for 200. One had bad shock mounts and both needed leather repair, I had this done for 100 bucks. They are out there cheap…It just takes time and energy spent digging. All in all I have found 3 for affordable/cheap prices over the past 10 years.
Chris
My wife and I picked up a frankensteined scratch and dent walnut lounge at Design Within Reach. We had no intention of getting one either but the price was right and it wasn’t too beat up. We passed on the ottoman because it was full price and it would have overwhelmed the living room. It is a great chair. It not only looks cool, but it is genuinely comfortable. Like veg out in front of the TV and fall asleep comfortable.
Of course, you always have to beware of fakes, too. The Selig and Plycraft versions are everywhere.
I had a postcard type picture of the chair and ottoman on my refrigerator for a number of years a yearning I guess.Sometime later my daughter, wife and I went to the opening weekend of a Room & Board here in SoCal.We entered a Grand Prize drawing and were selected. Our choice of course the Eames lounge chair & ottoman we picked the walnut.Our odds were pretty good Room and Board was expanding and had very little name recognition here at the time the event seemed very sparsely attended. After having it I would never be without one and would pay full price without hesitation.Comfortable(the cushions do need some breaking in) The aesthetics to me are incredible, the dimensions and the line of the combo make it easy and versatile to place. The leather and walnut and the flow the two pieces create to me is sublime.
we have several eames chairs in our house, but by far the most comfortable chair (walnut and ivory) i have rested my ass and bad back in, is our lounger (from which i write this). well, well worth the money.
would love to try out a pk 22 easy chair… actually, i would love to be given two of them.
sorry for the multiple posts, guys (i blame the phone and the operator of it)…
we bought our lounger from dwr (i asked them to lower the price, as i found it for less at other sites, and they did). we wanted to but it from dwr, because if there were any problems, they would take it back, no questions asked… three days later, two guys with white gloves carefully carried the chair and ottoman inside.
I’m just wrapping up restoring my rosewood lounge chair and ottoman. I’ve spent a pretty penny bringing one back from the dead, a local craigslist purchase. After getting new cushions and the various shock mounts that were tired after years of abuse I’m going to have a like new rosewood chair for $2600. I consider it the first checkmark on my bucket list.
Of all the MCM chairs/furniture I own, the Eames Lounge is the MOST comfortable! I own the basic walnut/black. I sip my Kona and read design mags in it every weekend. Worth every penny!!! If U love the look, you will even be more excited about the feel.
RE: Comment #4 – Good luck finding an HM employee willing to risk their job selling a new 670/71 online. I work for HM in Zeeland, and that is one thing that you definitely DON’T want to get caught doing. I bought one a few years ago…I think my price with discount was about $1k, which probably makes you sick, but hey, it’s a perk. I’ve also gotten 3 Eames molded plastic rockers…they are one of th baby gifts that we get to choose from! Best of luck on the lounge…they are very comfortable. However, I’m 6′4, and I wish the back came up a little higher.
I broke down and bought an HM Eames Lounge Chair about 4 months ago…I love mine….I love to sit in it and look at it…. I probably would have been ok with a repro…but I really wanted to collect the real thing and I plan to have it for years and years (hopefully)… so I just saved up and bought it.
I’ve got an Eames Lounge Chair with black leather and Rosewood back that I purchased thirty years ago. No ottoman, but the chair itself is in perfect shape. I’m nearing 70 and trying to downsize my home and life. I’m in Albany, NY, and am willing to part with it, although I really haven’t researched what a fair price should be.
If you’re ever shopping for furniture toronto, then go to Visitor Parking. They have a great selection of classics including the Eames Lounge and Ottoman. You can also see the furniture online at http://visitorparking.ca
This chair is super cozy!
Here is an awesome article about it:
http://bit.ly/BPhhI
I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but there’s a great little documentary made a few years back (2006?) about the creation of Eames lounge chairs–I think it was directed and produced by the Eames’ grandson, Eames Demetrios. It’s definitely worth a look if you’re a fan of the chair.
I found a Plycraft chair and ottoman Eames knock-off used and in great condition for $60.00 some years ago. Seems a bit larger than the original which I sat in to compare. It may not be the overpriced Original but is still a well made chair and gives the MCM vibe. Why promote this elitist idea of overpricing and overpayment? That’s much of why the world is in a BIG MESS!