“We want to make the best for the most for the least” – Ray Eames. It was this idea that inspired many mid-century designers like Charles and Ray Eames to design their classic pieces of furniture.
Our aim at Pash is to make timeless and stylish design more accessible, as everyone should have the pleasure to enjoy their favourite pieces in their own home. We love our mid-century inspired designs for the fact they are practical and versatile, making them look as fresh today as when they were first released.
Want to find out more about the origin of the design? Read our blog post ‘Mid-Century Modern: Architecture to Furniture Design’.
We have carefully curated our collection to feature our favourite mid-century furniture designs. Find out the history behind some of the most iconic pieces.
The Lounge Chair
Charles Eames had the vision to achieve “the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt” when designing the mid-century Lounge Chair.
Charles & Ray Eames looked to design a better version of Lounge Chairs after watching their good friend and Hollywood director, Billy Wilder, struggle to relax in various lounge chairs. Once the chair started to be manufactured, they gifted their friend the second chair from the production line.
The chair debuted in 1956 in America and was featured on NNBC’s Home show where the chair started to get its celebrity status. Since then, it has been a part of permanent collections in design museums and institutions all over the world. It has been the subject of documentaries, books and has been featured in endless films and television series.
The Lounge Chair is more than just a well-thought design, it is now one of the most iconic pieces of furniture throughout history. Our reproduction has been carefully manufactured so it doesn’t compromise on the luxurious comfort and perfected design.
In Keeping With The Original Design
Our Lounge Chair & Ottoman reproduction sits on a die cast aluminium base, and the feet pads are adjustable to combat uneven flooring. There are no visible screws, and the seat cushions are attached with a hook system, while the real full grain Italian leather upholstery is pulled over in a certain way to create a deep flowered look in the cushions.
Eiffel Chair
A competition to encourage designers to create a well-designed, attractive, yet inexpensive piece of furniture was launched in 1948 by the the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The International Competition for the ‘Design of Low-Cost Furniture’ had over 3,000 entries including a submission from the design duo, Eames, who entered a moulded armchair. The piece went on to win second prize and was developed to be optimised for homes all over the world.
The DAR Chair was the archetype for the Eiffel Chair collection, then followed the side chair companion, the DSR Chair. They were the first mass-produced plastic chairs in furniture history. They were further developed to introduce a new typology of chair design, a multifunctional piece where the shell can be joined to different bases to serve different design purposes.
Egg Chair
Commissioned to design the interior of the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, Danish design icon Arne Jacobsen designed every detail from the furniture, lighting and even the cutlery. The unique shell of the Egg Chair was designed to create privacy in the open space of the lobby. The soft, curvaceous lines were inspired to contrast the very modern exterior of the hotel.
Tulip Table
In 1941, the Museum of Modern Art launched a competition for Organic Design in Home Furnishings. Eero Saarinen was inspired by the competition and commenced a design project that resolved the slum of legs. The designs featured a pedestal base whereby the chairs can easily slot under leaving the dining room clutter-free.
Our Tulip Table reproductions range from 90cm to 199cm and are available in Carrara Marble and white gloss finishes.
Tribeca Coffee Table
Isamu Noguchi, a Japanese-American designer in the mid-century, faced racism after the attack on Pearl Harbour. He volunteered to enter the Colorado River Relocation Centre in the hope to improve the environment of internment, but ended up being held there against his will with many other interned Japanese Americans. Shortly after being released, Noguchi channeled his frustrations into his work and created his very popular Tribeca Coffee Table.
His iconic designs helped to show the importance of Japanese-Americans on American culture.
E1027 Side Table
From 1926 to 1929 Eileen Gray collaborated on the design and creation of her modernist villa with French architect Jean Badovici. Gray designed the pieces of furniture for the interior of the villa and one to catch many individuals’ attention was the side table.
Gray designed the E1027 Side Table for her sister who likes to have breakfast in bed. The table was designed to slip under the bedside or sofa letting the user be as close as possible. The table also is adjustable in height to also make this function more practical and possible.
Diamond Chair
Bertoia developed the initial idea for his wire chair collection while working with the likes of Charles Eames and others in California during the mid-century. Harry Bertoia worked on the iconic Eames Chairs helping to achieve the flexible plywood seat, but with no mention of Bertoia and the other collaborators. Bertoia was frustrated with the lack of recognition and stopped working with the Eames studio.
Harry Bertoia was fascinated by the study of body dynamics, also known as ergonomic design, and applied this rigorously to his designs. Metal was his material of choice and after many trials, developed the wire grid concept that could be easily shaped. Once he grasped this concept, he went on to create airy, metal armchair, side chair, bench and bar stool designs. The spring feel and innovative idea of a metal chair impressed individuals back in the 1950’s and still to this day.
These designs have inspired interior designers and homeowners all over the world, with these pieces being the subject of many stylish interiors.
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Interested in reading more about the history of our brand? Read our blog post the history of Pash.
