I’ve known about this chair, the Eames RAR, since LONG before I even considered children. In fact, when my boyfriend and I bought this chair in NY, we weren’t even married yet!

Charles and Ray Eames (1907-1978 and 1912-1988) were married when they designed the ‘mix and match’ chairs for furniture manufacturer Henry Miller in 1948.
The famous designer/architect/filmmaker couple adapted moulding techniques, which were invented during the 2nd World War, to create seat shells from fiberglass that were mass producible (and thus affordable). Chrysler (the car maker) developed a system to attach the fiberglass shell to different bases, including Eiffel Tower-shaped legs and rockers. These rocking chairs (‘RAR’ chairs) were given to all Herman Miller employees when they had children, because – here it comes – they proved to be absolutely fantastic for (breast)feeding babies!

Now, I’ve always been a big fan of the designs of Mr. and Mrs. Eames (so much so that when we visited LA. I was dragging my husband along to visit the Eames house instead of Rodeo Drive!) – but since having babies, admiration turned into RESPECT.

Like with all of the Eames chairs, on first sight the RAR looks sort of uncomfortable. Hard. Plastic. But (like with all Eames chairs), the moment you sit down in them, you’re convinced: the chair fits around you like a glove! Really – I’m talking chair ergonomics at its best! (I’m an architect, after all).

I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent in that wonderful chair, breastfeeding my babies, or just rocking them when they had a tummy ache. My 1-year-old boy still loves getting his before-bed-bottle of milk in this chair…

Thinking about it – the Eames rocker is probably my favourite piece of furniture in the house!

xxx Esther