Eames lounge chair

eames-chair-2.jpg

This is the "Eames classic" lounge chair. Introduced in the 50's, it's become a bit of a bit of an icon of American modern(ist) furniture design. It's featured in NY's Museum of Modern Art, and more notably (for some generations) it was a centerpiece in Frasier Crane's apartment. If you've seen one of my shirts, you know I want one:

Eames shirt

The only problem is that it's a designer chair sold by Herman Miller, so it's naturally quite expensive. I've always been unable to convince myself to buy one, afraid of it becoming my own personal Rubicon on the way to a life of lavish decadence. Do I really want to become a person who spends $2000 on a designer chair? Perhaps that's the wrong way to think about it though: I don't necessarily want to become that kind of person, but I do want to have a nice, comfortable chair. Where does one draw the line between appreciation for the finer things and conspicuous consumption? I'm not exactly sure..

Right now I have an IKEA Poäng, which has become increasingly uncomfortable with its velcro-on polyester pad and rigid wooden armrests, especially for long periods of reading. So I've been giving the Eames some thought again recently, considering I might have some bonus money left after paying off my car loan (something I was planning to do a long time ago, but I kept buying too many toys). It's very tempting. Must.. resist..

Frasier Eames

I envy you Eddy. The only questions on your mind are, Who's going to walk me? Who's going to feed me?

Posted on September 5, 2006
Filed under: General, Random Comments Off
Comments (12) Trackbacks (0)
  1. Simon
    September 6th, 2006 - 11:18

    I say, if a $2000 chair makes you happy, then go for it. Sure, you might have buyer’s remorse for a while, but that will probably go away quicker than the empty feeling of not owning the chair. Also, a chair is something you may spend hours with your butt planted in, so why not buy a good one? It’s like people who spend thousands on a PC but stick with the blurry old 14″ monitor.

    You also need to consider the role of the aforementioned chair in your life. It is a single chair, not a loveseat. It is not a couch either. Are you going to be one of those guys who gets married and refuses to part with a chair or move it from a prime position because it does not match your wife’s furniture, or are you planning on maintaining the batchelor lifestyle for a while?

    If you want other suggestions on what to do with two grand, I am full of ideas. Send it to me, and I’ll let you know what I did with it. 😉

  2. Eric Faller
    September 6th, 2006 - 19:30

    Hmm that is a good point I didn’t think about. If I do buy the chair, only one person can sit in it at once. Right now that’s not a problem for me, but I wish it was 🙂

  3. david
    September 7th, 2006 - 21:32

    yeah, i concur – only one person can sit in it at a time, which is why i always want atleast a loveseat – it makes sense as far as a long term investment goes. anyway, i think there are nicer chairs out there, yet at the same time, i believe it to be entirely possible to find a knock-off look alike for much less let alone one used (which probably won’t be much used because the buyer bought it and realized that only one person can use it). along a similarly frugal line, it is just a chair. a big poofy cheap thing might be really what you’re looking for – who needs style if no one is there to appreciate it anyway? thanks for the microphone help.

  4. Amber
    September 28th, 2006 - 10:04

    I say spend the money on the chair because you definitely won’t have any extra money to spend on things once you get a girlfriend. They suck up money like a giant money sucking sponge. Live for the moment I say, spend it while you have it and don’t look back. But don’t get too attached to anything in your apartment because your wife will probably want to change it all anyway. And girls always get their way! I’m a girl. I know.

  5. SKO
    October 5th, 2006 - 20:37

    looks like a hot chair.

  6. mark
    November 20th, 2006 - 13:48

    I’ve got four look alike eames chairs.
    Let me know if you want a picture.
    They are in chicago.
    Thanks

  7. Mike
    April 6th, 2007 - 17:35

    Totally agree.

    But I prefare sofa, you can sprawl out, nap, lounge, relax&Do so much more on a seatee than on a lounge-chair.

    but if I was/currently am bachelor, then I wud av it as an accompaniment to my *Future* leather 3seater..

  8. PixelsGold
    April 11th, 2007 - 00:03

    I am looking for a comfy chair as well, and this style looks perfect, if I recall I beieve I’ve encountered one in the past, and would be willing to buy one, but hardly at the collectors price. I’d get a repro, just as comfortable and won’t make you feel like you could have put that money somewhere else. Also considder if you have family or friedns with children, do you really want an expensive piece of furnature that can ealiy be damaged and have to yell at kids not to sit on it if they happen to stop by.

    I have seen recently in auction several quality pieces in the price range of 75-200. Might be worth looking into.

  9. marc
    April 16th, 2007 - 15:08

    iv wanted an eames chair for ages. so i say, if you got the two grand, go for it. you will never have to buy another chair again in your life time. oh, i wouldnt be with a girl who doesnt like the eames chair!

  10. sara
    June 18th, 2007 - 00:35

    i really understand your conundrum…
    someday i wish to own a barcelona chair and ottomon.

  12. Anonymous
    September 17th, 2007 - 13:01

    Buy it. I got one two years ago and it is worth every penny spent.

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