Places & Spaces My Pad

My Beloved Eames Chair

January 22, 2015

Today I want to introduce you to my beloved Eames chair.

Charles and Ray Eames are best known for their groundbreaking contributions to architecture, furniture design, industrial design and manufacturing, and the photographic arts.

As I was approaching my 50th Birthday last August I thought about what would make my day and year memorable. I knew that a special trip was not on the cards as we were in the midst of launching Mapology Guides.

I had dreamt about an EA217 soft pad low back Eames chair for ages and I knew that if I ordered one it would have to be in yellow. I called Guy Drayton of Geoffrey Drayton to discuss the matter. Well, he said, this would be considered a ‘special colour’. Let me contact Vitra. It only took a couple of weeks before Guy dropped round a leather swatch book by Stolz, a Belgium company. I immediately fell in love with the yellow leather swatch and that was it.

my beloved eames chair

Once I ordered the chair it took around 6 – 8 weeks. I was in no rush. All I wanted is to have the chair before Christmas. And then the day of delivery arrived. To be totally honest, I was a little insecure about my choice of colour. It’s one thing seeing a small swatch, yet another seeing the whole chair covered in it!

When Guy started to unpack and adjust the chair I started to calm down knowing I made the right decision. We all know that most people that buy this chair will have it in white or black but that’s playing it safe, that’s a little boring to me. I did want to be true to who I am and I am ‘Colourliving’.

my beloved eames chair

Here is the beauty in it’s full glory. How could I have doubted my choice?

my beloved eames chair

The details, the stitching, the softness of the leather. It’s ultra comfortable. You adjust the height and you can lean back if you so wish. I’ve noticed that I’m already doing my OCD thing of panicking about marks et cetera. Wearing jeans or dark clothing does leave some marking but hey, this chair needs to be lived in, it needs to reflect the hard work that’s being performed here.

my beloved eames chair

As in true quality fashion, Vitra gives you a 30 years guarantee.

my beloved eames chair

It feels nice to have spoilt myself for my 50th Birthday, to mark a special year for me in so many ways. I also see any purchase like this as an investment. I do believe in investing in quality design products. I’ve been after an office chair for years, but couldn’t get the Eames chair out of my mind so was using my David Rowland’s 40/4 dining table chair instead, which is really comfortable.

It was worth the long wait! Do you believe in investing in design pieces?

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26 Comments

  • Reply Anya Jensen January 22, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    Yes yes yes I do believe and what a choice for you – colourliving to the best of your ability. Absolutely fab and soo you Tina. I would buy the Eames lounge chair for the Mr and myself – as it is our absolute favourite – sorry to be Scandie but it would have to be black – I’m colourful enough in my personality ha ha. Congrats on your choice and have a great rest of the week.
    Axx

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 10:49 am

      Thank you Anya. Love that everyone understands why I got it in yellow.

      Well, the Eames Lounge chair is the ultimate and I really think that one only works in black or white or maybe purple?
      I would totally endorse the black one for you guys!! And yes, you have a colourful personality:-)
      xxx

  • Reply Alexandra January 22, 2015 at 8:05 pm

    SO pleased to see people choosing something else than black or white! But of course it would have been a shock if you of all people didn’t choose colour. 😀
    I hope you get to enjoy your chair for at least 30 years!

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 10:51 am

      Hahahahaha. I know, I think black and white is nice and also safe. Of course, I had to be bold and take risks:-))
      It’s definitely an investment piece and the 30 years will take me to being 80. I very much hope that I will still sit in it then.

      Thank you Alexandra x

  • Reply Igor January 22, 2015 at 10:35 pm

    What a fantastic chair and wonderful colour, Tina! Now this I call a present worth your round birthday!! Best choice! May you sit in health in it – as we would say in Serbia:-)

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 10:51 am

      I’m glad you approve! I LOVE that Serbian saying.
      Thank you my friend!!

  • Reply Tara Bradford January 23, 2015 at 9:54 am

    It is fabulous! I’ve never seen a yellow one and it’s so bright and cheery. What a fantastic birthday present to yourself!

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 10:53 am

      Hello Tara. Thank you. I once saw it in a flat of a friend’s friend… I have never been able to get it out of my head since that day:-)

  • Reply Debra Finn January 23, 2015 at 9:54 am

    I am jealous. What a gorgeous chair! I’m glad to see that you’re beliefs are similar to my own. If you love something so much that it stays with you and you can’t get it out of your mind, you should always buy it (providing you can reasonably afford it) as it will give you so much pleasure for many years to come. What a great present. x

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 10:57 am

      Ha. I know, I would be too:-)

      Totally. I haven’t had an office chair since I saw a yellow Eames chair at a friend’s friend place a few years ago… been doing with dining chairs et cetera. If I love something I have to have it and nothing else will do. It’s the same with food. If I really want some dark chocolates then it’s no use trying to eat other stuff. I will still want the chocolate so best to eat that right away:-)

      It’s cool to buy oneself a present like this, right? xx

  • Reply Alison Sye January 23, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    Could look at the close-up of that stitching for hours. Wonderful, Tina. And the yellow -wow!

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 10:57 am

      That stitching, right? Love that view from the side…… glad you approve of the yellow xx

  • Reply leah // sang the bird January 24, 2015 at 5:43 am

    Ahh, a present worthy of your jubilee celebration!
    The colour is perfect and the close up of the stitching is divine xx

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 10:58 am

      Thanks lovely, I thought so too…
      So pleased people appreciate the workmanship AND the colour xxx

  • Reply Emma January 24, 2015 at 5:40 pm

    It is a beauty indeed, you enjoy it! X

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 10:58 am

      Thank you lovely Emma. I’m going to xx

  • Reply Stacey Sheppard January 24, 2015 at 9:26 pm

    You’re never 50? I’m shocked. Love the chair though and that colour is just wonderful. Lucky you. X

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 11:00 am

      Hahaha, you just made my day:-)) Thank you.

      I know, feel very lucky but just had to take the plunge… it was the perfect moment and occasion.
      Hope you and your baba are well x

  • Reply Jocelyn Hefner January 25, 2015 at 12:38 pm

    What a beautiful color! I love yellow of any and all shades. Have you ever read the little book called The Persistence of Yellow? I think you might like it 🙂 thank you for taking us through the journey of your gorgeous chair to mark such a wonderful Birthday! xx

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 11:03 am

      Like sunshine, right? Every morning when I come to my home office I see this bright and wonderful piece of furniture greet me. Was worth it just for that. Hope that Charles and Ray Eames would have approved.

      No, did not know the book. Just had a peek, how utterly charming:-)

      Thank you Jocelyn. Glad you enjoyed the storytelling xx

  • Reply Gerard @WalnutGrey January 25, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    I wholly believe in investing in design pieces. And oh Tina… your chair is absolutely, totally & utterly stunning! I wish you all the joy in the world using it. Such a beautiful piece to have and own 🙂 xo

    • Reply tina January 26, 2015 at 11:05 am

      I knew you would, Mr. Gerard. I’m so pleased you like it. I know the colour might be a little loud for you but I knwo that you think it’s perfect for me. It would be so great if your Shell Chair and my Eames chair would meet. Definitely would get on purely because their owners love them and appreciate them so much.

      Thank you my friend. xx

  • Reply Beauty Follower January 27, 2015 at 6:58 am

    Cool chair, love the colour!

    http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr

    • Reply tina January 27, 2015 at 12:59 pm

      Thank you so much:-)

  • Reply Catherine @ farmhousehome January 27, 2015 at 10:18 am

    What a gorgeous, wonderful chair. You will love sitting in it as you work and admire it when you’re not sitting in it. So worthy as a 50th birthday gift to yourself. Would love to buy designer pieces but having sent both of our girls to private school, have channeled the funds into that instead. One day though, youngest one has only two years left! xx

    • Reply tina January 27, 2015 at 1:01 pm

      Thank you Catherine. I wanted it to be memorable. You had your fantastic trip!!

      Putting children through private schooling is an expensive business and much more worthwhile than designer furniture:-)
      Wow! You’ll be rich in 2 years time… xx

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