Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair  

You found an Eames Lounge chair on the side walk? That is some luck, my friend.

Even if one did fake the label, the shells in very blatant Brazilian rosewood are hard to fake.

What condition is it all in? Is the veneer chipping/peeling anywhere? Shame about the original leather seat but you can buy vintage replacements. I would wager the rest could be repaired by an individual familiar with leather repair.

Congratulations & good karma Rick Karma & welcome to the world of design addiction. It is good to see that the tradition of finding fixer upper design icons on the side of the road is still out there. It is a harmless addiction as long as it does not get out of control financially like other forms of addictions out there.

Better call Alfie.

To ask him what it's all about.

Hi.

Am I viewing one of the most beautiful rosewood shells ever?...or is that damage? Or?

I'm,

Aunt Mark

ps it certainly looks to be manufactured by Herman Miller, and previously owned by a dog owner, or a 2 year old child with a sharp front milk tooth, and tattered drapes. Go back and trade them dog food for the matching ottoman.

pss usually I'm wrong.

Agreed Mark, can't tell if it's it sapwood or just strong dark figuring next to uv damaged normal wood.

In that sense it could be uv damage.

Not a huge hardship when it looks like that.

No, that is sap wood. No UV damage there .... well maybe a tad, but is minimal if at all. A lot of people would say that is too busy, but I find it mesmerizingly beautiful.

Depending on whether that is paint on the top back, or veneer scratched to substrate is the question. The leather can all be replaced. I suspect that the wood could be nicely revitalized, and as long as that is not a scratch, and the edges are not delaming. WIih a bit of work, it could probably look pretty damn good again.

It is a no brainer, spend 600-700 dollars for a complete reupholster(there is no choice other than black leather), refinish the shell, and you easily have $2500+ chair (an opinion, not a valuation). But forget the value, you have one of the most beautiful palisander shells I have seen in awhile.

Unfortunately, the chair is not very comfortable, unless you are well under 6', but that chair is not necessarily for sitting, as much as it is for making a statement.

Today was a good day for you, my friend.

600-700?

USD?

For a competent reupholstering job on this chair?

I wish! Alfie Hume is getting $700 for a seat cushion alone and won't even list the price for a pair of arm pads never mind a full replacement set. Last time (it's been awhile) I priced a full set from HM, it was closing in on $3K.

Honestly, the more discussion I see about these loungers the less I want one. They're beautiful, but like owning an expensive car, I don't think I could afford one long term. That is a VERY expensive reupholstery job.

However, I do think the upholstery outside of the seat cushion could be sufficiently repaired rather than replaced, right?

Yeah, the arm pads alone are nearly $700 from HM right now. Full cushion set w/ottoman is $2300.

I'm sure someone would pay decent money for the chair in its current condition, though. And by "decent" I mean a good hunk more than you paid for it! Heh.

Zephyr is right that vintage 670/671 (HM offers a scaled-up size now!) proportions are better suited to those of less vertical in stature. Honestly, I almost never last much more than a half-hour in mine before me arse ends up somewhere between the seat and ottoman. But my wife and daughters love it! And, well, I must also admit that they look much better sitting in it than I do.

The iconic Eames Lounge is and always has been a luxury item (not intended for the masses). As with almost all such things, there are trade-offs involved. That it endures as an object of desire is a testament to something, though, no? I have to believe that it's more than mere marketing.

FYI: For perspective, Hume's prices are Southern California retail, but his experience, knowledge, and product quality are among the highest available outside HM.

Yeah, sorry, I should have qualified that statement. 600-700 dollars is not Alfie, or OEM replacement cushions, but from a reasonably competent local upholster (In the Midwest, where I am located), and now that I think if it, you are right, that is a even a little low. You can get a chair that is functional, decent quality materials, and everything looks correct at 6ft. If you want a collector level piece, that looks correct at 6", you are going to have to pay a lot more than that.

For comfort, I much prefer the Plycraft version. It is a bit taller, and it tilts back, which makes all the difference in comfort for my 6'3" frame. Definitely doesn't have the look or the proportions of the Eames Lounge though.

And my $3K quote was for upgraded leather in brown. Spanky's price seems almost reasonable for standard black by comparison.

In fairness to Alfie, he did sell me a well-used complete set of cushions for the miserly sum of one hundred bucks some years ago that perfectly match my vintage chair (new ones look so pumped-up and bloated) and remain in service to this day. I must've caught him at a weak moment.