Lately as I have been surfing Ebay for authentic Eames Lounge Chair, I can only shake my head. Some chairs and ottoman are being sold for $4k to $5k. Wood panels are being sold for $1k, leathers and cushions for $1k, armrest for $300, bases for $500. It's getting ridiculous, it's like real estate property in America 3 years ago. I now have this feeling in my gut that these too shall pass. As I go and decide to join or not to join the crowd, I suddenly remembered what Warren Buffet advised, to be fearful when people are buying but buy when people are fearful. I feel the Eames bubble is about to explode. Nakashima pieces also dipped down lately accdg. to L. Keno. But I wouldn't bet that these designer pieces would continously go down but surely they would hold their value. Current owners, you decide to hang on or sell your chair for a profit. So I might just sit on the side and wait till the prices go down to a level where it's affordable to me. I too love Eames pieces most notably the lounge chair but it's just getting too ridiculous out there, especially the prices for the lounge chair.
Odd.
That anyone would be offended.
Odd.
That you didn't recognize your very post is reason itself.
Good luck finding a better lounge anytime soon.
Most that frequent this forum already own one.
A few odd-balls continuously defend not owning one.
Odd. To deny yourself a great chair.
Go ahead and wait. Seems silly to me.
I'm one of the "odd balls"...
I'm one of the "odd balls" that frequents this sight that doesn't own one. The chair is undoubtedly comfortable and it seems the aesthetic has been nearly universally accepted by those who appreciate modern design. That said, I've never been blown away by its general appearance. The main reason, though, that I don't have one, is because it has become so ubiquitous.
Don't have one either.
It's a beautiful chair, but I'd rather spend money elsewhere. Also, don't have the space for it.
There's one on eBay right now for $1850 BIN. Just needs a new seat cover.
P.S. maniqz, you do realize that a new set in rosewood costs almost $5000, right? So it's not unreasonable that a nice vintage example would command the same price, if not more.
How sad
It appears that a great number of postings that begin by asking a general design question seem to denigrate into a personal message that cast a negative light on those whose opinions are different from the masses.
This posting is no different. The original message ends with a preemptive apology to the Eames collectors and is immediately followed by a posting that calls anyone who thinks there may be another chair other than the Eames lounge in which to relax as odd.
It would seem that this is a queer (differing from the normal or usual in a way regarded as odd or strange) response, but the sad fact is that individual thought seems to get very little respect in this forum. It would be a very boring world indeed if everyone thought alike and /or all homes were furnished in a similar manner.
I was given a Herman Miller Eames lounge and ottoman as a Christmas gift from my parents several years ago and I found the piece to be too large in scale for my home. I gave the chair to my sister and replaced that unit with a Fritz Hansen PK20 chair. I am both comfortable in my chair and happy that my sister has the room to enjoy her gift.
Once again I would suggest that this is a posting about Eames lounge chairs and not a pulpit to preach self-righteous opinions.
The prices now are pretty much the same for the last years.
There are some slight ups and downs with the seasons, and right now the Wright Eames Auction has increased interest.
However, for the classic combo of rosewood and black leather, the prices has been holding steady at between 3-5k depending on condition for since 2004....even through the recession.
Take a look at Wright's result archives for rosewood and black leather 670s:
March 2010: $4,688
October 2009: $4,063 + $5,313
June 2009: $2,678
June 2009: $5,313
March 2009: $3,125
October 2008: $3,120
June 2008: $4,800
March 2008: $5,100
June 2007: $3,900
March 2007: $3,600 + $3,900
March 2006: $3,600 + $3,480
December 2005: $6,000
March 2005: $3,250
June 2004: $4,425
There was even a result back in 2002 that was for $4,025.
maniqz, I understand your frustration, but if you ever choose to buy one, the chair wild HOLD ITS VALUE when you sell it in the future. The same cannot be said of other pieces of furniture, and especially not reproductions. That's what make it a classic. Yes, an expensive classic, but a safe investment, one that maybe Warren Buffett might even approve of.
Let
me re-phrase that.
"Most that frequent this forum already own one.
A few odd-balls continuously defend not owning one."
Most. Few.
I'm referring to an odd obsession over a chair. It is a good chair.
If you do not own one that is fine. I did not say you are an odd-ball
for not having one.
I see more posts about this one chair. I do believe the reason for that
is simple. It is a good chair.
I just find it fascinating.
Ark = the new Barry.
You...
Ark = the new Barry.
You guys should have a sensitivity contest to see who cries first! 🙂
I have this chair too, but I don't think it's weird to not have one. I mean, it's just a chair.
Ark, do you live in a really small footprint? The Eames lounge is rather small as far as lounge/ottoman sets go... or perhaps your eye just enjoys designs that implement more air/space around it? I would totally lose it if one were given to me as a present! Nice gift...
one thing I learned about prices and value here at DA:
"An item is worth what someone is willing to pay at a given point in time (and space)."
I bet there a few people here who, like me, didn't pay anywhere near those wright/ebay prices. All you need is patience, time and the will to search intensely, someday you'll find what you want for the price you want to pay (or it'll find you, but that would be very zen).
promise not ot cry
whitespike I promise I will not cry. I just find the name calling to be tedious and wish the subjects could remain more on track with no replies of a personal nature. I am very able to take and dish it out with the best of them. My footprint is about 3500 square feet at the moment (to be enlarged in the new home). I believe you may be correct in my design thinking as I prefer the Pfister sofas and club chairs along with the PK 20, 22, 33, 80, and 91. The reason it is the Ark is I own at least two of all of the above except the PK80. Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful reply. And yes my sister is grateful and uses the Eames lounge on a daily basis. Best regards.
I'll tread lightly here...
Try and make this a "grownup" post amidst all the jackassery...
There are obvious reasons why the L & O is the classic it's become today. Fantastic chair no doubt. But speaking of it as if it's in a class of its own is a bit silly. There are other designs which compare favorably, some which I even consider superior(the Womb, for one). But the point is preference is the deciding factor for everyone.
To the OP...
I'm currently hunting a Grasshopper for restoration. Grasshopper frames are widely known to split and fail given enough time. So that considered, I'm waiting for one to come along in sad shape so I won't have to pay top dollar and can then reinforce the frame and choose the swatch of my liking for reupholstery. And I've been waiting for a while now. But that's the name of the game as claus mentioned earlier. Keep your eyes peeled and a deal will present itself.
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