Charles and Ray Eames – design powerhouses both individually and as a pair – first came together at Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1940, striving to envision new ways of understanding our environment. More than eighty years later, their work endures, defined by standards of quality and innovation that remain as relevant as ever. Their signature approach, timeless yet unafraid of color and stripped of excess, preserves ony what is essential. First introduced in 1970, the EC-127, or Eames Molded Plastic Dining Chair, now returns thanks to Herman Miller, carrying forward the same iconic style while embracing smarter, more sustainable materials.
Now crafted from 99% post-industrial recycled plastic and offered in fresh contemporary colors, the iconic Eames Molded Plastic Chair takes on new relevance. For the first time ever, the chair is also available in a non-upholstered version, making it especially well-suited for high-traffic spaces, like offices, educational settings, and restaurants. Upholstered options remain, allowing for a more tactile layer of comfort and customization.
In terms of finish, Herman Miller keeps the collection tightly curated – just enough to invite personal expression without overwhelming. Four shell finishes, six leg colors, and a selection of upholstery choices create a framework that feels deliberate and considered. Legs can be specified in classic chrome, black, or white, or in bold powder-coated shades like Blaze, Marigold, and Berry Blue. These saturated tones encourage playfulness and individuality in a design landscape often dominated by beige minimalism. Pairing a Brick Red shell with Blaze legs or layering Berry Blue legs with a Light Blue finish offers a lively counterpoint to the increasingly monochromatic interiors of today.
The upholstery choices further honor the Eameses’ original ethos. Herman Miller partnered with Maharam to offer fabrics that draw on patterns and palettes Charles and Ray themselves often embraced. Notably, Alexander Girard’s Hopsak – an option available when the chair first debuted – returns, reinforcing the legacy of mid-century textile experimentation. Inspired by the colorful panels of “The Toy,” an architectural play set designed by the Eameses in 1951, the upholstery and shell colors lean into a modern Bauhaus sensibility while remaining firmly rooted in practicality and comfort.
The Eameses legacy is not just about material changes and hardware updates – it’s about a way of thinking. As Eames Demetrios, Director of the Eames office and grandson of Charles and Ray Eames, explains: “In addition to being comfortable and elegant, the EC-127 is a perfect exemplar of the Eameses belief in constant improvement of their own designs. As pioneers of the use of plastic for affordable and durable furniture, they applied that knowledge to eliminate the need for separate shock mounts. Their understanding of the qualities of plastic allowed the Eameses to merge those shock mounts with the seat and back while making the chair itself more lightweight – it also made possible great color variety.”
The color palette is refreshingly minimal yet bold, with a matte finish that offers a sense of visual honesty in an era crowded with faux textures and effects. It reinforces the Eameses’ principle that design should be both useful and beautiful, balancing form with function. By reintroducing the EC-127 in sustainable stock, Herman Miller and the Eames Office extend that principle into the 21st century – an beautiful reminder that timeless design is never static, but always evolving.
Learn more about the Eames Molded Plastic Dining Chair, or EC-127, by Charles and Ray Eames, visiting hermanmiller.com.
Photography by Kelly Marshall, courtesy of Herman Miller.
