Get Schooled on Vintage Eames Furniture With this Detailed Guide by The Eames Institute.

Curate your own collection of Eames furniture with this detailed and easy-to-follow guide by The Eames Institute of Curiosity. Some key points in the guide are outlined in the captions that follow.

Story over style: Focus on discovering the object’s history, instead of just its flashy title. Each Eames piece has a background, and its unique journey can make it even more valuable.

Don’t mess with patina: The less a collector does the better, especially if they have a piece in its original condition. Try to make no modifications in order to preserve the original quality, or if you do, channel Ray and Charles Eames by only making changes that increase the longevity of the piece.

Earlier isn’t necessarily better: The oldest dated Eames piece doesn’t always make it more valuable, as Ray and Charles were constantly iterating to perfect their craft. Don’t get caught up in how old it is, and prioritize other aspects.

The Eames Institute of Curiosity has launched a detailed look into curating your own collection of Eames furniture and artefacts. An Eames of Your Own is an initiative that draws from the expertise of the Institute’s head of research and acquisitions.

Whether they were created five or fifty years ago, few designs have stood the test of time like Eames furniture. However, with the process of buying vintage items often a mystifying process, the Institute’s expert explains what to look for—and what to avoid.

Key takeaway points include the importance of focusing on the story over style; not messing with the original patina; the fact that earlier editions are not necessarily better; and being aware of FrankenEames (where original bases and chair seats are mixed and matched).

Bert Loeschner's 'Inspired by Eames' Reimagines a Design Icon.

Loeschner has brought his unique approach to the reinterpretation of another integral piece of the design culture...

Ray and Charles Eames’ work has become beloved among fans of mid-century modernism and just about anyone who is passionate about well-designed, high-quality objects that stand the test of time. Vintage pieces are always hot property, but knowing exactly what to look for—and look out for—requires some foundational knowledge and training.

Working in collaboration with Daniel Ostroff, a film producer and an Eames expert who has worked with the Eames Office since 2006, and with the Eames Institute since 2019, The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity highlights some key tenets to consider when looking into collecting Eames furniture.

The entire guide on how to collect Eames is now live in the Eames Institute’s latest Kazam! magazine, An Eames of Your Own. Illustrated by Catherine Potvin, the magazine features pieces from the Eames Collection. Read it here.

Video // 08 Years of Herman Miller in 108 Seconds.

This fantastic animated video shows 108 Years of Herman Miller in 108 Seconds, by Amsterdam-based studio Part of a Bigger Plan...

Beware of FrankenEames: Some non-serious dealers will mix and match original bases and chair seats, creating a “Frankenstein chair”, blending Eames pieces thus reducing the validity of the furniture.

Become an Eames librarian: Read as much as you can about Ray and Charles Eames and their work. Start with vintage Herman Miller Catalogues, or any of the exhibits at eamesinstitute.org.

[Images courtesy of The Eames Institute. Illustrations by Catherine Potvin.]