Eames or one-off? 10 charming tips on how to recognise a genuine original
Lounge-Chair-Ottoman-Occasional-Table-LTR-Eames design love often begins with a chair – and sometimes with an Eames lounge chair. But how can you tell whether your favourite piece is genuine or a stylish fake? We’ll show you with a wink what you should look out for – with expertise from our team for colour, space, light, material and architecture.
What makes an Eames lounge chair so special?
The Eames Lounge Chair is like a good espresso: stylish, strong, iconic – and if it’s genuine, a purchase for life. Our interdisciplinary team of designers, architects and lighting people love good design with feeling. We believe that rooms should not only look good, but also feel good. And that is precisely why it is important to recognise originals – for more value, sustainability and honest living.
In our consulting studio, we take a holistic approach to design – from the wall colour and lighting to your favourite vase on the sideboard. With empathy, playfulness and a bit of detective work, we have put together the best tips for you.
How do I recognise a genuine Eames lounge chair? 10 practical tips
Feel the leather. An original smells of quality. Soft aniline leather feels alive – not like plastic on a festival chair. Find out more about materials here:
Look at the feet. The original five-star base made of polished aluminium with black glides is typical. If it wobbles like a café table in Rome, it’s probably not original.
Check the veneer. The wooden shell is usually made of rosewood, walnut or Santos – neatly bent, with no visible screws. No “latte macchiato pallets” with glued veneer, please. Among the most popular types of wood.
Look at the label. Herman Miller (USA) or Vitra (Europe) are the only licensed manufacturers. The nameplate is usually inconspicuous under the chair. If the label is missing, the original is probably missing too.
Compare the proportions. The Eames Lounge Chair has an iconic shape – like a loungy hugging chair. If the backrest is too high or the seat too narrow, something is wrong. Why dimensions are important.
Springy seat feeling. A genuine Eames is lightly sprung and as comfortable as a Sunday afternoon. Does your chair feel like a stool from the waiting room? Then keep looking.
Unboxing as an indication. Originals come well packed, but usually pre-assembled. If you’re surprised with a bag of screws and an IKEA inbus – no thanks.
Details, details, details. The buttons on the cushions are perfectly placed, the leather is crease-free. You often see “marmot day” creases on the fake. Upholstery with character.
Price with common sense. A genuine Eames Chair costs from CHF 7000 upwards. If you discover an “original for CHF 400” at a flea market: Avoid heart over head.
Listen to your gut feeling. If the chair feels cheap, smells unpleasant or somehow looks “wrong” – then it usually is. We’ll help you make your judgement.
Design thinking for the living room – how we rethink rooms
Our team works with design thinking – in other words, we ask questions, observe, think creatively and test. This doesn’t just work for apps, but also for sofas, colours and lighting moods. A few examples:
Mini case study: Lounge meets favourite light
A customer wanted to place her Eames Chair in a prominent position, but the ceiling lamp was too harsh. We combined it with a pendant light with warm spotlight – the result: a reading corner with a gallery feel.
Mini case study: colour instead of hallway frustration
The entrance area lacked that “welcome home” feeling. We used a soft latte macchiato wall colour and hung an art object in a matching wood tone. Now every visitor stops for a moment.
Mini case study: a mix of materials for the bold
A client wanted to liven up his industrial look with warmth. We combined dark metal with woven textiles and light-coloured wood details – the result: loft meets hygge.
And now? Make your home your favourite place!
Design starts with the first feeling. If you want to design your home with more character, lightness and a real feel-good atmosphere, then get in touch with us. Or browse through our theme worlds and be inspired.
Subscribe to ournewsletter now for fresh ideas for your home, or follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes insights into our design studio.
And if you own or are looking for an Eames Chair – come and visit us. We’ll help you get that real classic feeling.
Lounge-Chair-Ottoman-Occasional-Table-LTR-Eames design love often begins with a chair – and sometimes with an Eames lounge chair. But how can you tell whether your favourite piece is genuine or a stylish fake? We’ll show you with a wink what you should look out for – with expertise from our team for colour, space, light, material and architecture.
The Eames Lounge Chair is like a good espresso: stylish, strong, iconic – and if it’s genuine, a purchase for life. Our interdisciplinary team of designers, architects and lighting people love good design with feeling. We believe that rooms should not only look good, but also feel good. And that is precisely why it is important to recognise originals – for more value, sustainability and honest living.
In our consulting studio, we take a holistic approach to design – from the wall colour and lighting to your favourite vase on the sideboard. With empathy, playfulness and a bit of detective work, we have put together the best tips for you.
