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The Power Couple of Design

The Power Couple of Design

10 Facts about Charles and Ray Eames

June 13, 2024

Hi friends 👋

Welcome to this week’s installment of The Midmod Corner.

They say that couples who work together stay together. Do you agree? Charles and Ray Eames sure did! This duo mixed work, love, and friendship like pros. But don’t worry today’s more about design than couple therapy.

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Ten Facts About Charles and Ray Eames

Charles and Ray Eames are true legends of American Modernism. Their countless designs still influence us today. I could talk forever about their work and its impact, but let’s keep it short and sweet.

Here are 10 facts you probably didn’t know about this power couple!

1. They knew how to party

Charles and Ray Eames were friends with some of the biggest names in art and design, like Saarinen, Noguchi, Hoffman, and Nelson. Their circle included artists, designers, writers, architects, painters, and business leaders who all helped shape their profession and gain respect for it.

1951 Japanese tea ceremony in the Eames House, with Isamu Noguchi, Shirley Yamaguchi, Charlie Chaplin, and more.

2. They knew when to shift

When World War II interrupted their furniture design plans, Charles and Ray adapted their plywood molding technique to create splints for wounded soldiers. Lightweight, cheap, and easy to transport, their splint revolutionized battlefield medical care and set the tone for their problem-solving approach. As Charles put it, “We don’t do ‘art’ – we solve problems.”

Eames Molded Plywood Leg Splint, 1943

3. They were anti-aesthetic

Ray famously said, “What works good is better than what looks good because what works good lasts.” The first Eames chair failed because it was too complex to manufacture. Success came when they prioritized practical manufacturing and addressed aesthetics afterward.

4. They designed for the masses, not the elite

Although an authentic Eames chair can now fetch $8,000, Charles and Ray’s mission was clear: “We want to make the best for the most for the least.” Their designs were appealing and accessible, attracting young professionals as well as artists and intellectuals.

1959 Herman Miller Catalog prices showing lounger complete for $572

5. They were overly curious

Charles and Ray were endlessly curious about the world. Unlike many modernist designers who favored minimalism, they loved clutter. Their home was a Wunderkammer, filled with fascinating objects that captured their attention.

Eames House living room

6. Their house embodied their life and work

Built in 1949, The Eames House was a sleek, glass-and-steel structure designed for both living and working. The design, remarkably light and straightforward, was made to suit the Eames' daily needs perfectly. It served as both their home and studio, providing the ideal backdrop for their work-filled lives. In fact, the couple lived there throughout their entire lives!

7. They were not camera shy

Charles and Ray documented their lives extensively, leaving behind hundreds of photos. From personal snapshots to professional spreads in Life Magazine and Art & Architecture, their visual legacy is vast. If they were around today, I bet they’d have an amazing Instagram feed!

The couple sharing a private joke during a photo shoot.

8. They saw innovation as a "last resort”

When Budweiser offered them a lucrative logo redesign job, the Eameses turned it down after months of consideration. The reason? They simply didn't think it needed a redesign. They believed in redesigning only when necessary, a principle that many designers still follow today.

9. Their best-selling chair is not what you think it is

While the Eames Lounge and Ottoman are iconic, their most successful piece is the Tandem Sling Seating. Developed for O’Hare International in 1962, it’s now the best-selling airport seating worldwide, supporting millions of travelers daily.

10. They died ten years apart – to the day

Charles and Ray worked together until Charles' death in 1978. Ray completed their ongoing projects before focusing on sharing their theories and practices. She passed away on August 21, 1988, exactly ten years after Charles. One of Charles’ favorite quotes was, “At all times, love and discipline have led to a beautiful environment and a good life” – a perfect reflection of their philosophy and achievements.

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