Cover The iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
The iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
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Herman Miller introduces a bamboo-based leather alternative for its classic Eames Lounge Chair, reducing the chair’s material carbon footprint by up to 35 percent
In a move that would surely have delighted its original creators, the iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman are getting a green update, with Herman Miller announcing a bamboo-based upholstery option in July 2024.
This marks a significant step in the company's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, a principle it has upheld since 1953.
The Eames Lounge Chair, one of the most recognisable examples of 20th-century furniture design, has been in continuous production since its televised debut in 1956.
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Above The moulded plywood base
Above The moulded plywood base
The moulded plywood base
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Created by Charles and Ray Eames, the chair was conceived as a modern interpretation of the English club chair, with Charles aiming for “the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt”.
Its distinctive silhouette has graced museums, homes, and film sets for decades, cementing its status as a design classic.
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Polishing the plywood components
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Affectionately known among collectors and enthusiasts by its product codes “670” (chair) and “671” (ottoman), the Eames Lounge Chair’s innovative use of moulded plywood—a technique the Eameses perfected during World War II for splints and stretchers—revolutionised furniture manufacturing.
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Above A vintage ad of the chair
A vintage ad of the chair
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Now, this timeless piece is entering a new era of sustainability. The bamboo-based leather alternative offers a softer, more durable, and scratch-resistant surface than traditional materials.
Beyond its practical benefits, this innovative upholstery significantly reduces the chair’s carbon footprint by up to 35 per cent.
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Above The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman in bamboo-based leather Ivory
The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman in bamboo-based leather Ivory
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Bamboo, the source of this new material, is renowned for its sustainability credentials. It grows rapidly, absorbs more CO2 than many other plants, and requires only a third of the water other natural materials need.
These qualities make it an ideal choice for Herman Miller’s eco-conscious initiative.
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The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman in bamboo-based leather Black
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Noah Schwarz, vice president of product design for Herman Miller, emphasises the synergy between the Eameses’ pioneering use of moulded plywood and the company’s current innovation in plant-based materials.
“The two materials come together in the latest offering of the iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, upholding the aesthetic and quality standards that have defined the chair for nearly 70 years,” Schwarz notes.
Available in ivory, russet, and black, the new upholstery can be paired with any existing shell type, maintaining the chair's customisable appeal while advancing it into a more sustainable future.
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Jennifer Choo is Regional Managing Editor of Tatler Homes, covering architecture, interior design, and art across Asia. Based in Malaysia, she oversees regional content on luxury residential design and contemporary art collections. Legally trained but choosing to pursue her passion for design, she previously led notable design publications and worked as an interior stylist and art consultant for property developers, design firms, and private clients.
