The Eames Lounge Chair: An Icon of Modern Design by Martin Eidelberg

Book review

The story of 20th century design can be told by one item of furniture—the humble chair. Designers just love to create a classic chair and it’s no surprise that chairs played a major part in defining the modernist movement. Central to that movement was the husband and wife partnership of Charles and Ray Eames.

In 1956 they came up with a simple, leather-upholstered, rosewood-veneered chair and matching ottoman. Fifty years on, the Eames lounge chair is seen by many as the epitome of 20th century modernism. To celebrate this outstanding achievement, this month sees the publication of a book telling the story of this classic chair. As lovingly constructed as one of the chairs it celebrates, with a long “photographic essay”—including rare and previously unseen photographs—and with commentary from some of the biggest names in design, it’s enough to make you want to sit down in one of the lounge chairs and read.

The Eames Lounge Chair: An Icon of Modern Design by Martin Eidelberg, Thomas Hine, Pat Kirkham, David Hanks and C. Ford Peatross is available in the UK in April, published by Merrell priced £29.95.