Full of painstaking research, this is the definitive guide to the eames furniture. In doing so, eames was the first to develop and apply massproduction techniques to furniture thus creating the modern furniture industry as we know it today. Early in their careers together, charles and ray identified the need for affordable, yet highquality furniture for the average consumerfurniture that could serve a variety of uses. The design impact of the eameses extended throughout american society, in part because they did not limit themselves to the design of furniture and furnishings. The best example of this claim is the case of charles and ray eames.
The authors of this book had access to real eames prototypes. Design writers and editors were asked to reveal their favorite instagram pages, and the eames office made the list. It documents how he pursued his goal of adapting plywoodmolding techniques into a system to massproduce furniture. The second book is also a history of herman miller, with its origins in zeeland michigan, founded.
From 1941 to 1978, charles and ray eames and their. The oeuvre of the american designer couple charles and ray eames is. Architecture eames primer by eames demetrios eames design book case study houses 19451962 view all. Charles eames 190778 and ray eames 191288 gave shape to americas twentieth century. Nov 23, 2011 arlene francis, host of nbcs home show, introduced charles and ray to television audiences in 1956, along with their iconic design lounge chair and ottoman. Charles eames furniture from the design collection, the museum of modern art, new york by arthur drexler book. The eames aluminum group was a collection of office furniture designed by charles and ray, and released in 1958. Brimming with more than 2,500 images and insider information, this twovolume book in a slipcase sheds new. History quotes architecture design catalogs case study.
If youre an avid eames collector of furniture andor books, and you already have the holy grail of all eames books eames design hardcover october 1, 1989 by john neuhart author, marilyn neuhart author, then youre all set for in terms of having the most extensive history of everything eames. William cook looks at how the pair worked together to create designs that still inspire today. For more than four decades, american designers charles and ray eames helped shape nearly every facet of american life. It is a biographynot of an individual person, but of arguably the. Charles eames and ray eames, american designers best known for the beauty, comfort, elegance, and delicacy of their massproducible furniture. The couple met at the cranbrook academy of art in michigan, coming to the world of design from two pathshe was a trained architect and she was a trained painter and sculptor. Save 5% each on qualifying items offered by boomerangs books when you purchase 1 or more. Eames design is the definitive study of the work of the extraordinarily prolific husbandandwife team whose creative imprint revolutionized the look of postwar american society. Eames design is a chronological study of the work of the extraordinarily prolific husbandandwife team whose creative imprint revolutionized the look of postwar american society. This book is a delight, and is beautifully printed and bound, unlike many design books these days. Out of respect for charless wishes, no book on them was published. Sep 03, 2016 american designers charles and ray eames, a husband and wife team, were best known for their luxurious eames lounge chair left.
They also wrote books, made motion pictures, and designed exhibitions, fabrics, and industrial and consumer products. Charles and ray eames 6 interesting facts artlistr. Charles eames himself, of how eames furniture got to be the way it is. Nov 18, 2010 the story of eames furniture by maria popova charles and ray eames are among the most influential american designers in history, whose contributions to modernist architecture and furniture, as well as graphic design, fine art and film, shaped the american aesthetic for decades to come. From a small workshop in venice, california, the eames office designed and developed some of the most iconic furniture in the history of modern design. History changing her palette modern classics eames primer by eames demetrios view all.
Eames designs, drafts and objects are highly sought at auction and in stores, and designers with more stunning successes to their name cant be found. Nov 17, 2010 in this unique 2volume, 800page book with more than 2,500 images, marilyn neuhart tells the story to paraphrase charles eames himself of how eames furniture got to be the way it is. Aug 02, 2019 charles and ray eames made life better by design their home was no exception built in 1949 in the pacific palisades, the eames house is considered among the most important postwar residences. Arlene francis, host of nbcs home show, introduced charles and ray to television audiences in 1956, along with their iconic design lounge chair and ottoman. Charles and ray eames were two of the most influential designers of the 20th century. In this unique 2volume, 800page book with more than 2,500 images, marilyn neuhart tells the story to paraphrase charles eames himself. The most iconic item from the collection is the task chair, a classic office desk chair originally created with a mesh suspension back for outdoor use and adapted for the office. Their lives and work represented the nations defining movements. Now back in print, this groundbreaking book remains the most complete catalog of their studio ever produced, examining in considerable depth every projectmore than 200 in allproduced by the eameses.
May 1, 2020 photos of charles and ray eames for fans of charles and ray eames, of the work of the eames office, of midcentury modern design, of herman miller, of vitra, of modernist architecture and modern graphic design. Charles eames has 21 books on goodreads with 689 ratings. Charles eames biography childhood, life achievements. Highly recommended to all design lovers and all eames fans. Eames chair history charles and ray eames chair design. This is a nice book but its definitely not a must have. William cook looks at how the pair worked together to. They definitely are, as a major auction at the wright auction house proved. Today, we see eames pervasive legacy in everything from the set of mad men to the pages of design history books to. Design changing her palette modern classics eames primer by eames. Rybczynski says the ubiquitous plastic patio chair right is a.
Charles and ray eames were among the most influential designers of the 20th century. Herman miller charles and ray eames smart furniture. Charles and ray eames made life better by design their home was no exception built in 1949 in the pacific palisades, the eames house is considered among the most important postwar residences. Introduction the eames office charles eames, ray eames the eames repertory company. Charles eames and ray eames american designers britannica. From their architecture, furniture, and textile designs to their photography and corporate design, the husbandandwife team exerted a profound influence on the visual character of daily life in america, whether at work or at home. This book focuses on charles eamess early work with plywood. In creative partnership with his spouse, ray kaiser eames, he was responsible for groundbreaking contributions in the field of architecture, furniture design, industrial design, manufacturing and the photographic arts.
Now pat kirkham interprets their work in depth, probing the lives behind the designs and the nature of the. In this unique 2volume, 800page book with more than 2,500 images, marilyn neuhart tells the story to paraphrase charles eames himself of how eames furniture got to be the way it is. The husbandandwife team charles and ray eames started their eponymous studio a little more than 75 years ago. Through models, material studies, prototypes and production examples of the eames. A book about the relative size of things in the universe and the effect of adding another zero by philip morrison, phylis morrison, office of charles and ray eames and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Some of their biggest successes were thanks to their ingenious research in and use of plywood, and the company they most collaborated with throughout the years was the american furniture manufacturer herman miller. Jul 06, 2009 the legendary design team charles and ray eames made films, houses, books and classic midcentury modern furniture.
Arguably one of the 20th centurys most beloved designs, the eames shell chairs remain a sought after design classic nearly 55 years later. Filled with thousands of images and indepth timelines, this book is a must have for any eames or design enthusiast. Charles and ray eames are among the most influential american designers in history, whose contributions to modernist architecture and furniture, as well as graphic design, fine art and film, shaped the american aesthetic for decades to come. Discover the illustrious repertoire of charles and ray eames, from furniture to industrial design, with this monograph by taschen books. Many eames pieces have become so archetypal its hard to believe theyre collectible. In the years to come, their projects in architecture and furniture design, but also. Among midcentury furniture designersthat is, those working from the 1940s to 60s and even into the 70sthe unofficial king and queen of that era are charles and ray eames, the californiabased husbandandwife team. Design changing her palette modern classics eames primer by eames demetrios view all. Beyond the age of information, charles eames said in 1971, is the age of choices. In celebration of charles eamess centennial year, the eames. Beautiful details an eames anthology view all architecture eames primer by eames demetrios eames design book case study houses 19451962.
It is rich in images, rare ones, and includes a perspective informed by the vast historic eames holdings in the vitra museum. Buying eames furniture is buying quality, history, creativity, and inspiration. Eames office official site of charles and ray eames. American designers charles and ray eames, a husband and wife team, were best known for their luxurious eames lounge chair left. Out of respect for charless wishes, no book on them was published during their lifetime. The many talents and influences of charles and ray eames. The eames furniture sourebook provides readers with a comprehensive overview of their furniture, which includes design milestones such as the plywood group, the wire and the plastic chairs, the aluminum group, and the legendary lounge chair. From personal letters, photographs, drawings and artwork, to their products, models, multimedia installations and furniture, the book essential eames includes not only some of the designs for which charles and ray eames are best known, but provides an insight into the lives of the eameses, the eames office and the breadth of their pioneering work, bringing their ideas and.
The eames furniture source book provides readers with a comprehensive overview of their furniture, which includes design milestones such as the plywood group, the wire and the plastic chairs, the aluminum group, and the legendary lounge chair. Written by ray eames, john neuhart and marylin neuhart. The husbandandwife team of charles and ray eames became famous for their furniture, textiles, industrial designs, and practical, economical residential architecture. The molded plastic chairs are the result of charles and rays 6 years of experimenting with molded plywood to create a single shell form. From personal letters, photographs, drawings and artwork, to their products, models, multimedia installations and furniture, the book essential eames includes not only some of the designs for which charles and ray eames are best known, but provides an insight into the lives of the eameses, the eames office and the breadth of their pioneering work, bringing their ideas and playful spirit to life. This is the first work ive consulted that describes their films in detail. Dec 18, 2017 charles and ray eames were two of the most influential designers of the 20th century.
Through detailed texts and extensive photographic material, it reconstructs the genesis of these and other pioneering designs, shedding light on the duo. The story of eames furniture is the benchmark reference on the subject. In this unique 2volume, approximately 800page book with more than 2,500 images, marilyn neuhart tells the storyto paraphrase charles eames himselfof how eames furniture got to be the way it is. Recognizing the need, charles eames said, is the primary condition for design. The eames chair is considered a classic of modern design, but until now no single volume has fully presented the work of this husbandandwife team. The eames office llc is dedicated to communicating, preserving and extending the work of designers charles and ray eames. Nov, 2015 beyond the age of information, charles eames said in 1971, is the age of choices. Charles and ray eames, perhaps the most famous design partnership of twentiethcentury america, did pioneering work in furniture, film, architecture, and exhibition design.