By BRABBU
In our rubric of the 20th century best designers we will now approach the work of two iconic designers, Charles and Ray Eames. One of the chairs that in our opinion will remain forever as an icon was created by this duo – The Eames Lounge Chair.
With a grand sense of adventure, Charles and Ray Eames turned their curiosity and boundless enthusiasm into creations that established them as a truly great husband-and-wife design team. Their unique synergy led to a whole new look in furniture. Lean and modern. Playful and functional. Sleek, sophisticated, and beautifully simple. That led to what was and still is the “Eames look.”
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Charles and Ray achieved their monumental success by approaching each project the same way: Does it interest and intrigue us? Can we make it better? Will we have “serious fun” doing it?
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They loved their work, for them the details were not only details, they make the product.
With these two, one thing always seemed to lead to another. Their revolutionary work in molded plywood led to their breakthrough work in molded fiberglass seating. A magazine contest led to their highly innovative “Case Study” house. Their love of photography led to film making, including a huge seven-screen presentation at the Moscow World’s Fair in 1959, in a dome designed by their friend and colleague, Buckminster Fuller.
Graphic design led to showroom design, toy collecting to toy inventing. And a wooden plank contraption, rigged up by their friend, director Billy Wilder for taking naps, led to their acclaimed chaise design.
A design critic once said that this extraordinary couple “just wanted to make the world a better place.” That they did. They also made it a lot more interesting. The interior design world is forever thankful to Charles and Ray Eames.
NOW WATCH: THE WORK OF THE 20TH CENTURY BEST DESIGNERS CHARLES AND RAY EAMES
