We featured the trailer for this much anticipated insight into mid-century’s pin-up couple a while back. While those of us still waiting for its release twiddle our thumbs impatiently, this interview with director Jason Cohn over at Imprint might just keep us going. “When you were buying a piece of Eames furniture, you were buying a little bit of that joie de vivre, the free and easy California lifestyle, that Charles and Ray represented to a generation of people,”

Click for images

Designed in 1951, the Wire Chair from Charles and Ray Eames rose from a challenge to provide well priced, lightweight and durable furniture. Bent wire proved their structural answer, and the form was born. Herman Miller produced the chairs consistently until 1967 and then reintroduced them in 2001. The firm still offers them, with both a leather cushion and as a simple wire only affair. (Via Private).

The cushioned version of the Eames Wire Chair can be viewed after the jump.

Robust Flavor shares this great walk-thru video showing the assembly line process of building an Eames Shell Chair. “In 1948, Charles and Ray Eames submitted the shell chair to the International Competition for Low Cost Furniture, sponsored by the Museum of Modern Art. They originally intended to use stamped metal, but it proved to be prohibitively costly. It uses two basic seat designs, both available with multiple base options. This adds tremendously to the ability to mass-produce the chairs at a very low cost. The original material used for the seats was a fiberglass resin.”

A longstanding affinity for Vitra miniatures was reignited today by the daily MOSS update. Not really cost effective (one can find a full size example cheaper), the Vitra miniatures collection nonetheless allows for a comprehensive furniture collection without the frightening spatial concerns. Add to that the fact they really do capture some of the icons of modern design, and the whole set is pretty much sweet.

Above is a the Charles and Ray Eames designed arm chair. If you’ve been hunting one for awhile, you may want to check Northeast Auctions this weekend. A mint, Herman Miller produced, example goes to the block tomorrow. Our estimate? It should hit for $2,500 or so.

In celebration of the birthday of Charles Eames (he would have been 101 today) the US Postal Service has released a commemorative 42 cent stamp. The stamp features key designs from Charles and his wife Ray. In total, there are 16 stamps in the collection.  Get them at your local post office. (via Design Notes).