Designed by Charles and Ray Eames

Eames Molded Wood Chairs

Eames Molded Wood side chair with a black seat pad and wire base, viewed from the front.
  • Three Eames Molded Wood side chairs and a round Eames Table in a glass-walled room overlooking a garden.
  • A series of Eames Molded Wood side chairs with wire bases surround bistro tables overlooking the outdoors.
  • Eames Molded Wood side chair with a light finish and wire base, viewed from the side.
  • Eames Molded Wood side chair with a dark finish and dowel legs, viewed from a 45-deree angle.
  • Three-quarter rear view of an Eames Molded Wood side chair with a dark finish and dowel legs.
  • Four-leg version of an Eames Molded Wood side chair with a dark finish, viewed from a 45-degree angle.
  • Three-quarter rear view of the four-leg version of an Eames Molded Wood side chair finished in a medium tone.
  • Eames Molded Wood side chair with a medium finish and wire base, viewed from the rear.
  • Eames Molded Wood side chair with a light finish and wire base, viewed from a 45-degree angle.
  • Black Eames Molded Wood side chair with a wire base, viewed from the front.
  • Eames Molded Wood side chair with a medium finish, black seat pad, and wire base, viewed from a 45-degree angle.
  • Profile view of an Eames Molded Wood side chair with a light finish and wire base.
  • Three-quarter rear view of a black Eames Molded Wood side chair with dowel legs.
  • Profile view of an Eames Molded Wood side chair with a light finish and dowel legs.

A simple, gracious form

Eames Molded Wood side chair with a light finish and wire base, viewed from a 45-degree angle.

Eames Molded Wood Chairs

 

The authentic, single-shell form of the Eames Molded Wood Chair is achieved through a proprietary process of 3-D veneer manufacturing technology that enables wood veneer to be molded into complex curves—thus completing the Eameses’ decades-long endeavor to create a wood shell chair.

The side chair is available in a variety of wood finishes, all of which pair with a range of base options. Opt for an attached seat pad for enhanced comfort.

 

The endless possibilities of a simple, gracious form

Discover all the ways Eames Shell Chairs can work for you.

Meet the family

A casual arrangement of Eames shell chairs and stools in fiberglass, wire, wood, and plastic.

For every need

Charles Eames famously said, “The role of the designer is that of a very good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.” With the molded plastic, fiberglass, and wood shell chairs—as well as the wire chair—the Eameses have created a universal response to what everyone wants from a chair: a simple, gracious form that fits any body and every place.

A poster showing photos of various mid-century modern furniture pieces.
Ray and Charles Eames, designers of the Eames Molded Wood Stool.

In every way

Borne out of Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen’s early investigations molding plywood at Cranbrook Academy in 1939, and continued with Ray at the Eames studio in Venice, California, the molded chair is exemplary of the Eameses’ iterative process and their desire to make “the best for the most for the least.” With each new form, finish, and configuration, the Eameses continued to push the boundaries of what the shell chair could be. After experimenting with single-form plywood and stamped metal, they turned to fiberglass and experimented with bent wire. When fiberglass production proved unhealthy for the environment, the decision was made to switch production to a safer plastic. Now, with advancements in safe fiberglass composition, dynamic veneer technologies, and sustainable materials, the evolution continues with the Molded Fiberglass, Molded Wood, and Molded Plastic Chairs.

For everyone

The Eames Shell Chair was designed on the principle of adaptability, offering innumerable configurations to serve a wide variety of applications and environments. It’s what makes the chair a classic worthy of museum collections—and living rooms, laundromats, lobbies, and cafés. It’s what makes it a great first piece of furniture to buy in your twenties, that’s still worthy and relevant enough to hand down to your children 20 years later. A diverse selection of shell, base, color, and finish options enable you to create your perfect chair. Just like every person, every chair has a story.

Historical images of eight chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames.

“The role of the designer is that of a very good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.”

More about Charles and Ray Eames

Product Designers Ray and Charles Eames

Awards

  • Eames Moulded Wood Side Chair earns "Gold" award at NeoCon 2013 in the Guest Seating category.

    2013
    Eames Moulded Wood Side Chair earns "Gold" award at NeoCon 2013 in the Guest Seating category.

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