Page Dimensions

Approx. 7 5/8" x 11 1/4" (19cm x 28cm)

Story and Details

The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is a Grail for many. It remains basically unchanged since its debut in 1956 - a testament to its overall great design. It’s no longer just a super-comfortable piece of furniture, or as Charles and Ray Eames describe it, “a special refuge from the strains of modern living.” It’s become a piece of decor that rooms - homes - are designed around. 

This original advertisement from 1969 visually captures Charles and Ray’s comfy creation the way many of us see it today - as the pièce de résistance of a room. It’s a joy to look at as much as it is to sit in.

While it’s known that industrial designer Irving Harper created the Herman Miller logo, a red letter M, it’s unclear who designed this particular advertisement… It's not only a mission of mine to find more Herman Miller (Eames) ads, but also, to learn who designed the greatest Eames Chair print advertisement of all time...

Of course, there are other print ads showing the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman. But those all tend to be in black and white - showing someone sitting in the chair. These bland ads depict the chairs intended purpose (sitting in it). Whereas this sole, full-color ad, shows how its widely regarded today (arguably the most-iconic furniture design). I love that whoever came up with this standout ad, seemed to have the foresight to predict what the chair would become - and how it would be viewed.