When we think of Eames furniture, chairs often come to mind. However, there’s a fascinating legacy of table design that showcases the same thoughtful approach to problem-solving, application, materials, and quality. 

As the Eameses developed chairs using new materials like plywood, fiberglass, bent wire rod, and aluminum, they applied these learnings to their table designs. From the folding legs of the DTM to the customizable shape and size of the segmented base tables, their commitment to innovation is evident across three decades of furniture design. 

Tables play a multidimensional role in our lives: they are where we gather to share meals, collaborate on work, and hold space for conversation and connection. The tables featured in this publication highlight the Eameses’ deep exploration of how tables are used by people, and the impact they have on the environments they inhabit.

Two special inserts feature exquisite personal table settings from the Eames House and a vintage Herman Miller table brochure. Also included is an essay by Kim Colin of Industrial Facility and a curatorial note by Llisa Demetrios, chief curator of the Eames Institute and granddaughter of Charles and Ray.

Essay by Kim Colin, architect and designer, Industrial Facility