The story of La Fonda Armchair by Eames Office is an interesting one.
It goes back to 1961 when the Eames’ close friend Alexander Girard implored Charles and Ray to design the seating for an eating place he was creating in the Time & Life building called La Fonda del Sol.Girard wanted chairs with low backs, the kind that wouldn’t stick out over the tabletops.
The original armchair that was crafted for Girard had a low back, raised armrests, and a cast aluminum base that expressed quiet elegance and required a simple manufacturing process. It was covered in signature wool fabrics and its upholstery bore a Herman Miller hallmark. The chair’s edge was trimmed in black vinyl, a feature that was later used on many other chairs by the Eames. Eames Office has remodeled the original fiberglass chair, bringing the back a bit low and elevating the arms to fit into a brand new frame.
