If there is one piece of furniture that can be described as seriously underrated, it must be the side table! They sit, often alone, by the sofa, the lounge chair or even in the corner of the room, but my; how it would feel empty without one. Whether they keep your favorite plant safe, your cup of lovely brewed tea or perhaps the latest read, the side table is as essential as they can be beautiful.
Charles and Ray Eames were famed for producing hugely successful table series, from the early plywood designs, through the folding DTM’s, Alu Group Contract and later Universal ranges, they have been immensely popular as the decades have passed. Even better was that these often largely customizable ranges usually had that accompanying side table, perhaps the jewel in the crown, spanning the commercial and domestic markets alike.
It all started with the very first furniture range Charles and Ray Eames produced, the plywood nested group for children. This 1945 limited series of tables, chairs and stools was the first commercially available product line they released. Their signature versatility was even evident then, albeit in miniature detail. A small side table was part of this very first range and this signaled the importance that Charles and Ray Eames had for this underrated piece.
A Japanese influence could be clearly seen in the remarkably unique Low Rod Table (LTR) from the early plywood designs. Some might deem it too low, but it is surprising just how useful this table can be, and it is a design that has never aged.
A small version of the DTM dining tables, called the Incidental Table, was released as a versatile side table which could be added to the group or utilized by children too. It would be the first of a trend of producing identical tables in a range that were merely smaller but still available in all the possible finishes. This theme would reach the pinnacle with the Alu Group Contract tables and subsequent Universal Base tables. These table ranges had a great many customizable veneers over the decades and one thing that was guaranteed was that a side table was always available to match.
The critically acclaimed La Fonda range of tables and chairs only actually released smaller coffee and side tables. They did so with a range of beautiful natural stone tops including marble and slate. One of Ray Eames textile designs, called Sea Things’ would also be used by Waverley Products as a pattern for their ‘Catch It All Table’ design of the mid 1950’s.
Search, find and buy an original and authentic Eames Side Table today with the eames.com marketplace.