The Eames Lounge Chair

Charles Eames (1907–1978) and Bernice Eames (1912–1988) were married American designers, who worked in and made major contributions to modern architecture and furniture. They also worked in the fields of industrial and graphic design, fine art and film.

(I adapted this introduction from their wikipedia page)

One of the most iconic designs made by Charles and Bernice Eames is the Eames lounge chair.

(I found this photograph through a google images search. I looked for a good resolution photograph and saved it before uploading it here. I am using a 'fair use' licence; I have not asked the photo owner for permission to use it, but as i'm not selling anything or making money from my site they are unlikely to be upset that i'm using it.)

The Eames lounge chair is an iconic piece. It has been used in films, tv programmes, and fashion shoots for decades. It took a long time to design, as the Charles and Bernice wanted the design to be perfect. It was released in 1956 and sold through the Herman Miller furniture company in America. It is still sold in high-class furniture shops and sells for $4500 in America. It is considered to be a 'chair for life' and as such has become a frequently requested retirement present in America.

(I wrote this myself, referring to the wikipedia page for additional details e.g. the price and original retailer)

The popularity of the Eames lounge chair makes me wonder if the fairly disposable nature of modern furniture (from retailers such as Ikea) is the wrong approach. Yes, Ikea tables, chairs, and sofas are cheap, but would it be better to sell solid pieces of furniture that not only last for decades but also keep their prices due to the quality and build of them?

We live in a disposable society where an armchair purchase is no longer something you save up for and choose carefully. I'm sure you agree that this isn't a good thing.

(In order to connect to my audience I have added some personal opinion and tried to engage my readers in a debate. People will return to a blog if they feel a connection to it, and someone who posts a comment once is fairly likely to bookmark the site. Visitor retention can be started from your very first blog post, and is a key element of building your successful online community and making money.)