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Organic Chair

Replica

Charles Eames & Eero Saarinen
1940

Organic Chair

Replica

Charles Eames & Eero Saarinen
1940
Organic Chair In Grey Front View
Sculptural shapes and curves that flow seamlessly into one another; this timeless, contemporary piece was way ahead of its time. The design won Eames and Saarinen a MOMA award in 1940 for their innovative use of simple materials, but they were unable to go into production as the manufacturing wherewithal did not yet exist. A decade later it was finally possible and today the Organic Chair still remains a classic for modernists and all admirers of the versatility it offers in the home and the office.

“Function influences, but does not dictate, form.”

Eero Saarinen
Organic Chair In Grey Front View

In 1940 the Museum of Modern Art in New York organized the ‘Organic Design in Home Furnishings’ competition for which the Organic Reading chair was designed.  

Due to the lack of suitable manufacturing techniques. the Organic chair did not go into production until 1950.  

Saarinen and Eames were both believers in simplicity, comfort, elegance and affordability, without compromise, in their designs.   

The Organic Chair is part of MoMA’s permanent collection.

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Ergonomic Comfort

The Organic chair is designed to mimic the natural position in which an individual is seated. Amply padded with polyurethane foam, the soft, organic cotton will welcome the individual in a bucket-like embrace. Wide armrests and a high backrest offers the individual ample support. The organic chair offers a biomorphically shaped seat shell that conforms to the individual.

Quality and Craftsmanship
True to the name, the Organic chair uses natural, handcrafted materials. 100% cotton fabric is handstitched around highly resilient polyurethane foam. The seat is supported by four natural oak legs.
Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen
Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen met when they both taught at the Cranbrook Academy in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. They worked together on pushing furniture design into new shapes and produced some of the first designs for moulded plywood furniture. In 1940, they submitted and received first prize for their Organic Chair as a joint entry to the MOMA’s “Organic Design in Home Furnishings” competition. This design set the pace for molding a seat out of humble plywood, thereby producing a mass-produced, comfortable and affordable chair.
“The details are not the details. They make the design.”
Charles Eames
Product Literature
The initial shape of the Organic chair is molded out of lightweight and durable plywood. High quality, resilient polyurethane foam is cut and shaped around the plywood. 100% organic cotton which is durable, natural and breathable is used to upholster the shell and polyurethane foam. The shell is secured to four wooden natural oak legs which have been sanded by hand. Our reproduction of the Organic Chair remains true to the original specifications.
Product Materials

Shell: Plywood 

Legs: Natural oak 

Padding: Polyurethane foam 

Upholstery: 100% organic cotton with a Martindale durability test score rating of 10 000 rubs; Pilling: 3; Lightfastness: 6

Product Dimensions

Height: 83cm 

Depth: 56cm 

Width: 73cm 

Seat height: 35cm 

Armrest height: 62cm 

Carrying weight: 140kg 

Weight as shipped: 10kg 

Care Instructions

Fabric upholstery:  Regular cleaning is important in order to keep the  fabric  looking its best and  will  prolong its life. Dust and dirt wear down the fabric  and  also  reduce its  dirt-retardant properties. Vacuum frequently, ideally every  other  week, at half power. Wipe  the  fabric with a dry or moist  (but not soaking)  cloth. May also be vacuum cleaned with a soft brush. Keep  fabric  away from direct sunlight and extreme heat.  

Stain removal: Act quickly.  Remove any  liquids  with an absorbent napkin or cloth. Gently scrape away any  residue with a spoon. Vacuum away any loose particles. Remove non-greasy stains by carefully dabbing with a lint-free cloth or sponge wrung out in warm water. Edge marks can be avoided by dabbing gently in circular motions towards the  centre  of the stain with a clean lint-free cloth. Remove greasy stains by using appropriate detergents or solvents.  Always  test stain-removal agents on an inconspicuous area first to see if there is any effect on the  fabric.  

Allow the fabric to  dry fully before  resuming  use.  Low-intensity  use of a  hairdryer  may  avoid  enduring  edge  marks.  

Professional cleaning:  Use a reputable service provider. A pH-neutral carbon dioxide cleaning solution is recommended as it avoids the use of soap.   Appropriate maintenance and regular cleaning can prolong the textile’s life.  Regular maintenance and cleaning removes dirt before it settles in the fabric and damages the fibers.  Upholstered furniture  in  normal commercial use should be cleaned  professionally  at least twice a year. Upholstered furniture  in  private households  should be cleaned professionally once a year. 

Wood:  Wipe dry with a dry, soft cloth in the direction of the wood grain. Clean the surface  periodically  with a soft cloth dampened with a quality cleaner formulated for wood furniture.  Liquid spills should be immediately dabbed dry and wiped off. Make sure that your  wood furniture is not positioned close to heat sources, so that it does not dry out and become brittle.  We recommend that  wood products should  not  be  exposed to intense sunlight  for prolonged periods of time as  ultra-violet rays may eventually damage the finish.  

Do not use an abrasive material on the  wood.   

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