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Welcome! Today we are going to talk about the Eiffel chair, also called the Eames chair, in honour of Charles and Ray Eames, the designer couple responsible for the creation of this model.
This chair is very versatile, it can come with or without armrests, with wooden or metal feet and in different colour and covering options, ideal for different home environments such as living room, kitchen, bedroom and office. You can integrate the Eiffel chair into modern or classic furniture. And to help you choose the ideal model according to the environment and decoration of your home, we will bring below all the relevant information about this product.
Summary
- The base of the Eiffel chair can be made of wood or metal. In both cases, the feet are joined by a metal frame.
- The seat and backrest make up a single piece made of polypropylene with a fibreglass coating.
- If you are going to use the chair for studying or working, opt for a model with armrests. If you are going to use the chair at the dining table, a model without armrests is ideal.
The Best Eiffel Chair: Our Picks
Eiffel Chair: Shopping Guide
With its modern design, the Eiffel chair is a major trend in interior design, even though it was still created in the 1940s. The differential of this chair is its versatility: for each room of the house, there is an ideal model. But to choose the right one, you need to know the different options. Find out more in this Buying Guide.
What are the features of the Eiffel chair?
To design the structure of the chair, the Eames had as inspiration the Eiffel Tower, a monument located in Paris, France.
The structure runs along the entire base of the chair, providing stability, resistance and a charming resemblance to the French monument. The seat and back of the Eiffel chair form a single piece, made of polypropylene with fibreglass covering. Although this is the most common material, you can find models in other materials.
The shell shape makes the chair even more comfortable. This model is also very spacious and the slightly sloping seat reduces the pressure on the spine.
The Eiffel chair is found in versions with or without arms. The four feet that make up the base of the chair can be made of wood or metal, joined by a metal frame. When it was launched in 1950, the Eiffel chair was sold in three colours: grey, beige and brown. Some time later, models in other colours such as yellow, green and red were launched. Today, the Eiffel chair is sold in 14 colours.
The Eiffel chair has standard dimensions: 51 cm in depth/length, 46 cm in width (62 cm if it is an armchair) and 81 cm in height, with the seat 41 cm from the floor.
What are the different models of Eiffel chair?
The armless model is considered a chair, while the version with arms is called an armchair. A number of acronyms are also used to refer to these different models. The first letter refers to the place where the chair fits best: the letter D refers to the English word dining and the letter S is for side, a term that refers to a side chair. The second letter indicates the format (whether it is a chair or an armchair). The letter A indicates Armchair. The letter S stands for Side and refers to the model without arms. The third letter refers to the feet of the chair. The letter R stands for R-Wire, which means the famous rocking foot. The letter W stands for Wood, which means wood, and the letter X indicates that the feet are cross-shaped.
DAW | DSW | DAR | DSR | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Feet | wood | wood | metal | metal |
Armrest | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ |
Differential | It is very comfortable | It is the cheapest model | Rocking chair | It is very resistant |
Which model to use according to the environment of the house?
Dining Room and Kitchen
If you opt for a set of Eiffel chairs for your dining room or kitchen table, it is worth opting for armless chairs in the centre of the table and chairs with arms at the ends. The choice of shade varies according to preference. If the decor is in sober tones, bet on brown, black or gray chair. If you want to make the environment more cheerful, prefer a colourful model.
Bedroom
If the decor of your room is retro or minimalist, you can bet on a transparent Eiffel chair, made of acrylic. If your room has a clean decor, with predominance of white colour, you can choose a chair with the same shade. The rocking chair is also an excellent option for the bedroom.
The children’s room can also receive a special touch in the decoration with the miniature Eiffel chair, which is also available in versions with or without arm, with metal or wooden feet and in various shades. If it is a baby’s room, you can exchange the conventional armchair for a rocking Eiffel chair, which has a very subtle movement and armrests. To make it more comfortable, you can add a synthetic leatherette.
Office
If you are looking for an Eiffel chair for your home office, you have the upholstered model as an option. You will find versions with upholstered animal or eco-leather, velvet and even linen. You can also find the Eiffel chair with castors (wheels), the ideal model for those seeking practicality in everyday life.
And if you have enough space in the place, give preference to a model with armrests. In the commercial office you can choose chairs with different tonalities. The choice will help to give a touch of relaxation to this environment so formal.
Living room
The Eiffel chair with armrests replaces the conventional armchair and leaves the living room lighter, contemporary and with personality. In this environment you can also bet on the Eiffel chair with balance. The Eiffel chair is also a good option if you have a small sofa and run out of space to receive visitors at home.
How much does an Eiffel chair cost?
Purchase criteria: Factors to compare Eiffel chairs
There is no denying it: the chair is a piece of furniture that makes all the difference in the decoration of any environment. With this in mind, we have prepared some tips on how to choose the ideal model of Eiffel chair.
- Material
- Feet
- Arms
- Colour
We will detail item by item throughout this section, check it out.
Material
The Eiffel chair can be made of polypropylene, acrylic or upholstered in leather, linen and velvet.
- Polypropylene: It is a plastic material that offers comfort, durability, resistance and versatility. This material is also easier to mold and can take different shapes. Another advantage is that the product is already molded in its final colour, so you won’t find any difference in tonality.
- Acrylic: If you opt for an acrylic model, you will have in hands a very light chair, modern and with accentuated brightness. Generally the Eiffel chair made of acrylic is transparent.
- Leather:. It adapts easily to different styles of decoration, from classic to modern. This material also has an exceptional quality.
- Velvet: It gives a soft touch to the furniture and a cozy feeling to the environment. In addition, this material is very elegant and sophisticated. You can find the upholstered Eiffel chair with velvet upholstery.
Feet
When buying an Eiffel chair you can opt for the DAW model (Dining Armchair Wood), which has armrests, or DSW (Dining Side Wood), which has no armrests. In both cases, the chairs have wooden legs. If you prefer a chair with metal feet, the version with armrests is the DAR (Dining Armchair R-Wire) and the model without armrests is the DSR (Dining Side R-Wire).
Arms
The Eiffel chair without armrests is ideal for smaller environments. You can also use it in places where you will remain seated for a short time, such as the dressing table and dining table. If you are going to use the chair for long periods, in your office or at your study table, it is essential that the chair has armrests; the piece provides comfort and reduces physical wear.
Colour
You will find the Eiffel chair in various colour options. In all, there are 14 shades, considering the original model, created by Charles and Ray Eames. But if we count the replicas, the colour options increase significantly. The choice is a matter of personal preference, but we suggest you follow a standard:
- Chairs in the same colour as the other furniture.
- Chairs in a vibrant tone to create contrast.
- Chairs in various colours or different shades (to create a gradient effect).
(Featured image source: Blake Parkinson / Unsplash)