Esoteric Survey

I went to a picnic at the Eames House this past weekend. It was a preview of a collaboration between Herman Miller and  Hay .  They call it a "thoughtfully reimagined" line "of eight classic Eames designs for a new generation." Just like Charles and Ray Eames, Rolf and Mette Hay are a married couple.  In addition to the new colors, drawn from Alexander Girard Jacob's Coat textile, the Hay designs also use new materials. Like this glass top LTR. I'm a vintage guy so I'm generally not all that interested in new furniture. Especially if it's a reproduction of an older piece, authorized or not. I have nothing against new furniture, especially when it's done well and responsibly, like Herman Miller does. That all being said, this LTR in a heavy cast-glass is pretty interesting to me. I like the idea of being able to use an LTR outside.  It was a picnic and there was even an Eames-inspired menu. Unfortunately I was geeking out too much and didn't ...

It's been quite sometime since I've been to the Eames House .  There's a gate in front of the house now so the casual step over the chain days are over. Book your tour here .  Visits to the Eames House used to consist of just showing up and walking around. There was always someone there to answer questions but now there are tours led by Eames Foundation staff. It was very informative and the person who led the tour I was on knew all the answers to the questions people threw at him.  Some things that were interesting to learn is that the Franz Kline painting up in the living room is a copy. The real one is being conserved. Also, the Eames lounge chair is also not the original one. The one there now belonged to Lucia. The original is being restored. That soft glove leather needed some attention.    The house has been going through quite an extensive conservation effort, led by the Getty. One thing they are currently working on is the "Cemesto" panels. The cement a...

The Herman Miller Furniture Company showroom on Beverly Blvd in Los Angeles is the only commercial building designed by  Charles Eames.  He designed the showroom in 1949, at the same time he was  working on The Eames House / Case Study House #8, The Entenza House / Case Study House #9, and the ESU. The showroom was one of four by Herman Miller at the time. George Nelson designed the New York, Chicago and  Grand Rapids  locations.  Image: Eames: Beautiful Details  by   The Eames Office  and  Ammo Books Windows include both fixed and operable awning casements, just like at the Eames house below. Image:  Eames: Beautiful Details Source:  Progressive Architecture , 1950 The floor plan Source:  Progressive Architecture , 1950 Source:  Progressive Architecture , 1950 Source:  Progressive Architecture , 1950 Source:  Eames: Beautiful Details Sourc...

The Strathmore Apartments, Richard Neutra, 1937 The Strathmore is where Charles and Ray Eames lived when they first came to Los Angeles in 1941. It was number 11013 1/2,  the upstairs unit  shown here. Arts and Architecture owner and editor, John Entenza,  introduced the Eames to  Neutra and the Strathmore.  They would call it home until 1949, when they moved into  Case Study House #8 , (The Eames House)--total westsiders.  Neutra and Luise Rainer on the balcony of what would be the Eames's apartment.   Photo: Julius Shulman. Personal Collection, Dr. Thomas S. Hines Via National Register of Historic Places Registration Form Charles, in his car, in front of the 8-unit apartment complex. The Neutras owned half of the development and the  other half was built for  Adele Friedman. Image:   The Story of Eames Furniture The Eames at home. Living in the Neutra-designed apartment is said to have in...