Of course, if you can swing it, we recommend you go with the original Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Herman Miller.
I mean, it is described on Herman Miller’s site as “one of the most significant designs of the 20th century.” And they’re not simply limiting their comparison to other lounge chairs here. But…you know, that goes for a grand total of ~$9,000, a price point which tends to deter a lot of would-be buyers.
So, instead of opting for the original Eames, many go out in search of replicas – which is reasonable – but you still need to be sure you’re getting something worthwhile, as even the replicas are not cheap. With that in mind, we’re doing the heavy lifting for you and will identify a few top contenders for an Eames Lounge Chair replica (on a budget).
In this article in particular, we’ll focus on reviewing The Iconic Chair:
First off, the Iconic Chair is as close to an authentic replica of the original as you’re going to find. And as the self-proclaimed “best selling and highest rated Eames Style Lounge Chair & Ottoman replica on the market,” it is definitely priced as such. Specifically, this chair + ottoman combo will set you back anywhere from ~$1,699 – $2,000.
So, is it worth it? That question will be determined by a few factors related to the quality of 1) the shell and leather, 2) the aluminum base, and 3) the padding.
And although it doesn’t seem all that complicated, the Eames Lounge Chair has some unique components that need to fit together just right to complete the look. With this in mind, each of these elements must not only be high quality in their own right, but also piece together perfectly to do full justice to the build.
Let’s start with analyzing the shell and leather pairing options before diving into each individually.
Shell + Leather Combinations:
When it comes to the shell and leather, The Iconic Chair is by no means a purist (for better or worse). The company affords its customers some artistic leeway in determining their preference.
As such, you can select from multiple pairings of color and wood type. For example you can opt to go with the classic Black/Walnut pairing, an Ivory/White Oak version, a classic Antique Brown/Palisander combination, or choose something a little less traditional such as Olive or Red-dyed leather with either a Walnut or Palisander wood.
Basically, just mix and match until you find what suits your tastes best.
Shell:
To be more specific, the shell itself comes in either Walnut, White Oak, or Palisander (Brazilian Rosewood – closest to the original design). This shell is finished on both sides with seven real wood plies glued together and kiln-dried to guard against any warping.
It’s worth noting that these real-wood plies are far more expensive to use than their laminate counterparts that you’ll find in cheaper replicas which have the potential to both look cheaper and be more prone to warping.
Reddit user u/PutTheFlameOnMe had good things to say, noting in their review that,
The overall look is fantastic. I had gone to a DWR store to check out the real thing and I think in terms of shape and wood quality/color it’s pretty spot on.”
Leather:
As for the leather itself, Iconic Chair proudly advertises that its leather is 100% full-grain, semi-aniline leather imported from Italy. For those who are unfamiliar with the leather quality and different options on the luxury market, it’s worth noting that the highest quality of furniture-grade leather (known as top-grain or full-grain leather) comes in two types: aniline and semi-aniline.
Aniline is the purest and most expensive form of leather and is generally untreated outside of a light, soluble dye, with no extra protective layers coated on. On the upside, this allows the leather to breathe and distribute heat more uniformly – and most importantly – it feels softer.
Unfortunately, there are some downsides that would lead us not to recommend it on daily use furniture, as it is highly susceptible to stains (of any kind – including simply from the oils on your skin), scratches, and sunlight. You will need to consistently maintain this leather as it will likely absorb even the slightest water drop. Some might say this adds to the patina, but we don’t recommend it.
The alternative to pure aniline is, logically, semi-aniline. The main difference between the two is that while aniline highlights characteristics of genuine leather such as natural pores and scratches, semi-aniline leather receives a protective coating that covers this a bit while providing durability and more consistent coloring.
As such, it naturally lends itself more to highly trafficked and public use, and if you’re anything like this writer and plan to lounge about often while enjoying a coffee or a beer and don’t want to worry about permanent stains or adhere to a strict cleaning regimen, you’ll likely find that semi-aniline is your best move.
In their reddit thread, u/PutTheFlameOnMe provides valuable insight on the leather saying,
“The leather seems to be high quality, however, this is where I think the real thing surpasses. DWR has options with leather that have more interesting grain and feel. I think it’s possible the leather on The Iconic Chair is close to the most basic option with DWR but I think this is a side by side area where if you could sit in both, you would be able to tell which had more premium leather. That said, I’m really not knocking the leather on The Iconic Chair, I think it is very nice.”
Aluminum Base:
Moving on to address the base. Not much to say here, but the Iconic Chair does come stock with a sturdy aluminum base that conforms to the original’s pitch and dimensions, sitting at a 15-degree permatilt.
In continuing their review with reference to this base, u/PutTheFlameOnMe says,
“The pitch and dimensions seem so close that I really cannot tell the difference. I have sat in both.”
As for the construction itself, the aluminum is black die-cast with a high polished, bright trim. True to its inspiration, there is a further built-in swivel mechanism that supports a full range of motion, with rubber shock mounts that connect the head to the back, allowing for some flexibility as the user settles in.
Additionally, the chair comes in both “Standard” and “Tall” configurations, with anyone above 5’8” encouraged to go with the “Tall” version, incorporating a slightly larger base with the parallel elements extended accordingly.
Padding/Upholstery:
When it comes to Eames Lounge Chair replicas, the padding and upholstery is where the divide between the cheap replicas, the high-quality replicas, and the genuine models becomes more clear.
The padding – and more specifically – the upholstery seal between the leather and what Iconic markets as their premium foam is where issues can arise, although we don’t think these are deal breakers. To describe the issue candidly, when you sit in a genuine Eames chair, you sinkin immediately with no noise. In a replica, you’ll sink in, but there might be a light hiss from air that has seeped in between the leather and the foam, indicating that the seal isn’t complete.
This hiss can be very long and loud (for the lower quality replicas), or it can be something more palatable, softer and shorter in duration. We’ve found that The Iconic Chair falls into the latter’s category, with a video available here from u/PutTheFlameOnMe outlining the hiss:
Last on this point, the padding of a genuine Eames is absolutely luxurious. You sink in and don’t want to move for hours. It’s worth noting that there have been conflicting reviews on the quality of the Iconic Chair’s padding with reddit user u/PutTheFlameOnMe stating,
“The area that disappoints me is the foam padding. They claim a premium foam padding but I’m astonished by how much the foam compresses when you sit on it. It is still comfortable but just not as supportive as the real thing. As others have said, it also hisses as it reinflates when you stand up from sitting in it.”
Despite this, another u/hollapainyo says that they,
“Love it. Sit on it every night. Look forward to showing it off to guests….my personal experience is 100% positive.”
Of course, you can’t expect the same level of luxury as a chair that’s 4X the price, and your mileage may vary, but it’s something to keep in mind as you look for your ideal replica.
Verdict:
If you’re looking to spend around $2,000 and want a replica that’s higher quality than what you can currently find on Amazon or the like, we think that The Iconic Chair has you covered.
It’s by no means a genuine Eames, but for a quarter of the price, you’re getting something that will have guests – and maybe even yourself – wondering if it is.
As reddit user u/hollpainyo cites in their thread on the chair,
“It arrived and it’s wonderful. Well-packed, easy to assemble, and gorgeous. I’m 6’2” and the top of the cushion hits right above the nape of my neck.”
They also go on to refute some spicy criticism from one very upset customer relating to difficult-to-open packaging, scratches on the aluminum base, and customer service
Despite this, as we see it – and note that this is not a sponsored post or anything like that – if your budget is greater than $1500 for a replica, you should look for a discount code and give The Iconic Chair a shot.
To reference u/hollapainyo again, they emphasize that they:
“Love it. Sit on it every night. Look forward to showing it off to guests,” with their “personal experience being 100% positive.”
It seems like u/PutTheFlameOnMe agrees as they summarize their review citing:
“Overall though, it is good. It was still expensive. I paid $1,600 for it, which seems like a lot, but you have to consider that a new version of the chair this is replicating is listed at $9,000 on the DWR and Herman Miller website. It is still very, very comfortable, looks beautiful, and if it lasts, I’ll say it was worth it. If it doesn’t, I’ll say it’s trash.”
Time will only tell. But we’d recommend taking your shot.
