I don’t believe in “showpieces,” and this chair is no exception. Chair … Very sorry to hear about the damage to your HM one, but truly happy to see that you were able to have it repaired. I’ve ordered a real one from Herman Miller and cannot wait for it to arrive…, Hey all you bratz stfu i love the design except can’t afford it I really don’t It might be on it’s way or maybe not. The last one: The price is difference, the Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair is more expensive than the Vitra Eames Lounge Chair. I love the look and feel of the fibreglass and it contours to your back in a way that is totally surprising. So the slightly higher cost of Olek’s repair, is actually a really cheap insurance policy. I found out that this isn’t altogether uncommon. Even the look of the grain is far superior. Great attitude, great post. Shipping We just picked up the pieces, disassembled the whole thing, and got to work trying to figure out what to do. I may not have many strengths, but I have one that I’m fairly confident about: I don’t cry over spilt milk. I GUESS THIS IS MY LONG WINDED WAY OF SAYING GOOD ON YA FOR GETTING IT FIXED. These are replacement glides for many versions of the Selig and Plycraft Lounges and Ottomans. It gives it a history and an individuality that a new, beautiful, out-of-box thing doesn’t have. Chic reupholstered lounge chair and ottoman made in the manner and style of Charles and Ray Eames by Plycraft. Well. It’s pretty rare to find vintage originals in my neck of the woods and, when I do, they are usually out of my price range. I FULLY understand that the real Eames lounge is prohibitively expensive for most people, and you’re totally right that good design doesn’t have to be expensive! Great attitude. Make sense?     That’s what your now-imperfect chair, and your attitude, reminded me of while reading this. Features a stylish chevron pattern fabric bordered with the original leather … And the bent plywood shows the screws holding it together, as opposed to the Eames … So. My big takeaway is your awesome attitude about “not crying over spilt milk” because – I DO. And the comparisons and repair process is very interesting. Daniel, I am so impressed by your stoicism. The photos at first broke my heart but I’m glad it worked out for the most part. I actually gasped out loud when I saw the picture! If that makes sense. I’m not an expert, though. Welcome! I agree that it’s totally honest, and makes it unique, too. Over here people are -on average- 6 feet now. The wood shells and rubber shockmounts give the chair a little flex, but it doesn’t actually tilt at all. The most obvious difference between the genuine Eames Lounge and the Plycraft and Selig version is usually the base. Excellent post. I would have thought that the people making knock-offs would measure something, to make sure that it was at least close. sad face. COVETED FURNISHINGS+OBJECTS Vintage Eames inspired Plycraft Lounge Chair With Ottoman Soft black leather c.1960s This fabulous vintage black leather eames style lounge chair, made by plycraft is in great … I want to keep the history intact – and if that means I’m left with an awkward little line so be it. I am so glad you got it fixed! Let me see what I can do about that!! KNOCKOFF, FAKE, COPY…FROM A COMPANY IN BC WHICH FOCUSES A LOT OF ATTENTION ON QUALITY AND HOW THEIRS COMPARES TO CHEAPER COPIES.      As this is incredibly expensive I simply have resigned myself to lay a blanket over the seat for now. What a beautiful and right-on post, from start to finish. We are still waiting for the chair. I too inherited an original Eames lounger from my grandparents. Tragic, horrible problems. I hope it works well for you. Terms of Use. In the spirit and style of Eames and Nelson, these pieces are very well constructed and timeless, to boot.You might recognize Plycraft as the company behind Mr. Enter your email address below! EXACTLY. I feel for you about the chair, but good for you for having it fixed, and, what’s most important, continuing to enjoy it. Often vintage knock-offs will have a small metal brace between the bottom shell and the middle shell, which takes some pressure off the sides as the main structural support. Interesting comparison of the fake/real, thanks for putting that together. Very interesting comparison and I’m glad you’ve reconciled with the chair’s idiosyncrasies. Modern Conscience Wood Restoration Kits. I’m also curious about the mismatched wood grain from the repair, was this an entirely new piece sourced for the repair, or was it reclaimed from the original chair material? My heart broke right there with you. If you like the knock offs, go for it but they really do not compare with regards to design, as your post clearly illustrates. Hence the more angular higher base legs. Frankly, I’d rather not get into that because everybody has their own opinions and I find that type of squabbling annoying. Personally, I can’t picture myself buying a newly-produced knock-off piece of furniture for a number of reasons, but I think the rules change a little when you’re talking vintage and secondhand. That’s what having great furniture is all about. I know this post is kind of a departure from my regular programming ’round these parts, but what can I say? So there weren’t any tears or real dramatics. The tung oil finish will require fewer coats to quickly achieve a medium gloss. Whatever. Vintage knock-offs (and some modern ones) try to make the chair into more of a recliner by adding a spring mechanism that allows it to tilt forward and back, but the base position is much more upright than the 670. But I love that repair. We take no shortcuts; only the most accurate restoration with the most accurate parts can enhance the value of your chair. There really is no comparison in quality and feel. In my eyes the repair of your chair is remarkable. But I’m so glad you shared it with us. View Cart. In a departure from traditional lounge chairs and the strict definition of the term above, the Eames Lounge Chair … This was a tough pill to swallow. “Reproductions” and “replicas” and “inspired-by” designs have been around for forever, but it seems like only in more recent years have these unauthorized replicas inched closer and closer to looking like the real thing. Now. Glad you were able to repair it! We’d only had the chair about a month or so, and it had been all smooth sailing and fancy recline-y times, and now it was totally broken and unusable. Eames lounge chair… We know that perfection matters to you. As we’ve discussed before (and I hope comes through in the post), I’m really happy with the repair because I don’t feel like I have to worry. Thrive doesn’t seem so bad, though—looks like the majority of their furniture is made to recall a mid-century style, but I only see a few couple pieces that look like they’re actually mimicking recognizable mid-century designs. Gift Cards So, one day, a person—say, your adorable boyfriend named Max—decides to sit in the chair. But you should watch out—if it seems like the rubber is separating from the wood AT ALL, or the rubber looks dry and brittle, you should really look into getting the shocks replaced. Think about it though—now you’ve added your own story to the chair’s history with the marks to prove it. The Eames one suits me just right. It’s not quite as nicely proportioned as the Eames version. I have very little experience with knock-offs or originals so I really appreciate you taking the time to describe the differences – so much more helpful than a blanket “don’t buy fakes” message. This is art, think of it as a poster you can sit on The biggest difference, structurally, between vintage knock-offs and the real thing is that the plywood shells on the Eames chair are continuous, without any exposed hardware … You made a great spin on it. This kit is also a must for routine cleaning and conditioning.      I really love your attitude about the whole episode. The chair is beautiful. It did last for 40 years on this chair, to its credit, and had I known that this might happen I would have had the shocks replaced preemptively. you are so thoughtful and down to earth, Max is a lucky guy!! MY ONLY REGRET SO FAR IS ALWAYS HAVING TO ADMIT THAT IT IS A FAKE. Oh, dear. There’s a certain honesty about it, too. I’m so sorry. The biggest difference between Olek and Herman Miller repairs, is seen in the warranty- Olek’s 15 years vs. Herman Miller’s 1 year. For everything the chair symbolized and recalled for me, it is, ultimately, just a thing. It isn’t my grandparents and it isn’t my memories. Charles and Ray Eames are known for their honest use of materials and exposed structure, but they also believed in elegant solutions to vexing engineering problems—like how to hold this gorgeous thing together. If it can’t be repaired, it shouldn’t cost you nearly that much to have it reupholstered by a decent upholsterer (look for someone with experience with these chairs—you might have to send the cushions somewhere, depending on where you live)——personally, I would not send the cushions out to Herman Miller and pay that much! At the time I was like, “Why go to all that trouble and expense for his knock-off chair he got for cheap?” – now it makes sense. Features a modern redux with a textured light gray fabric.  /  (OH, BUT 2K ON A CUSTOM OTTOMAN FOR THE NEW COUCH WAS OK). 25 watching. But I do appreciate the offer to refine the touch-up work, but it’s really not necessary for me. I saw something about repairing shock mounts when I was preparing to pick up a set of 6 fiberglass chairs from craig’s list ($150 total! Store and Shop Policy I think it’s ok to be sad about material things breaking, especially when there is such a strong memory attached to them, in the same way that it’s amazingly joyous when they are repaired and ‘scarred’ in the way your chair now is. Nevertheless. [email protected]. This all adds up to plywood shells that look OK from afar but are actually covered in screws holding everything together. For example the base on the Herman Miller Lounge chair is a different shape and style from the base on the Vitra Eames Lounge chair. With a single-shell back, winged arms, tufted leather seat, and a snazzy name, Mr. Thanks for the perspective. The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman have their origin in Charles and Ray’s investigations into molding plywood and a desire to improve upon a familiar fixture in many living rooms: the lounge chair. These are all industry standards for wood finish conditioning and restoration. PROBLEM WAS THAT MY WIFE HAS NEVER APPRECIATED THE STYLE AND WAS NOT READY TO SPEND 4.5K IN CANADA FOR A REAL ONE. The failure of the Olek shocks is so low, that our warranty is comprehensive- if the chair collapses and the ear breaks after our warrantied repair- we repair the damage to the chair, and repair the broken ear. Get the best and had no idea they were that mis-proportioned refinish aspects! Healthy outlook blanket over the seat for now more durable than the original Eames pieces and disgusting, hang head! Work on the repair I think was the rubber shockmount, which is basically a disc... 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