The Eames Recliner Revisited...

Posted by: Top Cat on 19 August 2005

Hi folks.

A couple of years ago I came close to buying a reproduction Eames Recliner with stool. I ended up going for a Peel recliner, which I really like.

However, now we've finished our 'living room' (as opposed to the 'good room', in which the Peel lives) and we've a need for either a small leather armchair, or just maybe another recliner.

The Eames seems to be the obvious choice. I was quick to dismiss the one I tried before, as it was a little uncomfortable in comparison to the Peel, but I suspect that might have been as much to do with the fact it was new leather, etc., and also the fact that the Peel is probably much more ergonomic for support.

Looking about, I see a lot of people selling recliners based on the Eames design. What I'd like to know is whether it's really necessary to pay top dollar for one (i.e. £1800+) or whether some of the ones that are sold for around £800 all-in on EBay are any good.

I'd obviously love an original but unless I luck out, that's not going to happen. So, I'm stuck in the land of reproductions.

Any advice/tips?

Cheers,

John

Posted on: 19 August 2005 by Steve Bull

Hi John.

I asked a very similar question a while back in this thread which may be of help to you.

That said, I've still not bought one yet - so perhaps resurrecting the thread may spur me into action.

Steve.

Posted on: 19 August 2005 by garyi

LIke all things in life there will be imitators.

Having seen these recliners up close, and if I had the money I would buy the genuine one.

If you wait for sales etc I have seen them for as little as £800 with stool. Not cheap but not drastically expensive for quality furniture

Posted on: 19 August 2005 by Top Cat

Gary,

That's my point: the *real* ones can cost upwards of £2500 for an 'official' Eames. And on EBay you can pay as little as £700. So, I'm not sure whether you think I'm debating something that looks like it is based, but isn't, on the Eames design (I'm not) or one of the plethora of ones which are based on the design but whose prices vary considerably*...

What I want to know is: are the £800 recliner/stools that much different to the £2500+ ones? How are they different, or is it just margin for the importer/distributor and the middle men?

For example, there are several on EBay right now. They're all ~£800-1000. That seems cheap for an Eames, so what gives?

John

* £700 up to £3600 and they look, at least from the web POV, identical.

Posted on: 19 August 2005 by bhazen

!!! Paying thousands...for a chair??

Oops, I forgot, this is the Naim Forum

Posted on: 19 August 2005 by garyi

John sorry I had it in me head we were talking about Ekornes

http://www.ekornes.com/

These are very good chairs, but not originals. I am not sure you could find the originator of a reclining chair though surely?

Posted on: 20 August 2005 by John G.

quote:
Originally posted by garyi:
John sorry I had it in me head we were talking about Ekornes

http://www.ekornes.com/

These are very good chairs, but not originals. I am not sure you could find the originator of a reclining chair though surely?

I think the Ekornes chair is a better thought out design than the Eames chair. Less money as well.

Posted on: 21 August 2005 by Top Cat

John, point taken about the Ekornes, but boy are they ugly (in my wife's opinion - I don't think they're so bad)

In any case, I did consider the Ekornes first time 'round, but the looks turned my wife very much against the idea...

We were in Ikea on Saturday (I got conned into going) and they're now doing a sort of Ekornes copy - not as smooth or indeed as comfortable as the Ekornes, but under £100. I'm actually quite tempted, 'cause it would do as a stand-in for a year or two until I can find the right Eames.

Maybe someone'll come up with some info on these cheaper Eames chairs...?

John

Posted on: 22 August 2005 by jayd

My Eames knock-off (mid-60s vintage) has worn well, but it's not as well put together as a real one, and the materials aren't as high quality. Still, it's most of the way there for substantially less money.

My main beef about the thing is that it (with matching ottoman) takes up an inordinate amount of real estate.

Posted on: 23 August 2005 by Roy T

quote:
Liliana Shanbhag, a 19-year-old architecture student who was the first to arrive on Wednesday morning, along with her boyfriend Richard Speight, has her heart set on an Eames lounger, reduced from more than £4,000 to just £50.

I can't quite see what all the fuss is about b ut this short note from the Guardian Design for strife shows just how devoted to this iconic chair some people have become.