When Ray and Charles Eames ’ classic shaped side president was first raise , in 1951 , it was one of the first industrially - manufactured plastic chair on the market place . The wonder of technology move on to become a much - loved classic — today , it ’s delight a renewed popularity thanks to the popularity of Mid - Century modernism .
The side chair may be a classic , but it ’s also been customized in a hundred unlike way . Even the Eameses themselves tried out dozens of variations , adding different foundation , “ two-piece ” top , and horsehair cushions . And since then , many other artist and designers have tried their hands at making a mark on the side death chair — from a knit version to a Federal cachet version .
Here are some of the most renowned variations :
Thisis original look, made from fiberglass and marked by a simple four-leg base.
The Side Chair also comes with a couple of different appendages. The one on the left has theEiffel base, followed by thestacking side base, and then thewooden dowel-leg version.
The Eameses liked to tool with different types of materials for the same side chair design. In 1951, they introduced the light, but strong,wire mesh version.
Revealed in 1952, theBikini Chairwas another Herman Miller-ordained exercise in mixing materials and patterns.
This original setof pink bikini chairs with Eiffel bottoms is also great. Did you ever lust after a thing you sit your butt on so much?
By adding yarn using basic weaving techniques, artist Akira Ishikawa has created herown, softened versionof the wire side chair.
With a rocker base and a padded seat, this 1954 design was often given to Herman Miller employees when they became new parents.
Ray and Charles were never shy about remixing their own ideas, either. Here’s another official variation, featuring abikini cover and rocker base.
In 1961, the side chair got a desk to go with a stackable base, for stylish, affordable school seating, sold through Herman Miller.
Some side chairs come with padded seats, like this official option from the 1970s.
BAPE (as in the same BAPE that makes crazy freaking sneakers) made this limited editioncamo side chairback in 2009.
Thisshiny takeon the side chair was rehabbed by an unaffiliated designer—looks like it could hang from the ceiling like a disco ball.
New York illustratorMike Perrycustom creates these intricate, hand-drawn side chairs forOutdoorz Gallery.
Last year, the Textile Museum of Canada asked architects, designers, and artists to redesign 40 different side chairs. These are afew of theirinterpretations.
This is a nice,DIY refurb jobon the iconic chair.
You can find quite a few Eames knockoffs on Etsy, too, likethis one.
Artist Tania Aguinigaremixed this found chairby adding some black felt.
Herman Miller producedthesefederal eagle-printed side chairs with Eiffel bottoms in the early 50s. The pair is definitely something for a collector!
Some custom Eames pieces, likethis setthat has the Beatles’ faces on it, have you wondering why some people want to mess with a good thing.
But in spite of all the interpretations of the side chair, Herman Miller is still producing the pure, classic version. And it’s also producing its own variations. This year, for the first time, the Side Chair isavailablein molded wood.
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