In the world of furniture design, the Eames Moulded Plywood (LCW) chair and the Eames Hang-It-All are revered as icons. When a product reaches icon status, beloved and held up as the standard for others to aspire to, a challenge arises – how do you give an icon a burst of fresh energy without altering what makes the piece iconic in the first place?

For Herman Miller, the answer to this question is found not in looking through a futuristic lens, but in the rich history of their design legacy. The two new vibrant colourways for the Eames LCW and Eames Hang-It-All draw inspiration from sketches by Ray Eames and the original product list from the 1946 Eames MoMa exhibition. 

The Eames Hang-It-All reinterpreted for 2024, inspired by the 1950s

Originally designed as a bright, playful organisational product for children, the Eames Hang-It-All has become symbolic of Charles and Ray Eames’s design approach — simple materials articulated with beauty and precision resulting in products that are thoughtful, functional and imbued with an inevitable timelessness. 

Since its release in 1953, the bursts of brilliant, eye-catching primary colours have been reimagined multiple times. From subdued neutral walnut and maple options, an inclusive rainbow LGBTQ Pride arrangement, and most recently, in HAY’s signature fresh palette.

The latest colour combination to join this evolving colourful family is an instant future classic. Ray Eames ‘ creative artistry and early training as a painter is immediately evident with a powder-coated stonewash blue steel rod frame and solid maple balls painted in a ruby red hue. The colour combination, based on original sketches discovered in the Herman Miller archives, shows that contemporary design innovation will always be influenced by design heroes of the past. 

Evoking optimism and vitality with a wash of ochre

In 1945, George Nelson, Herman Miller’s design director exclaimed, “I’ve just seen the greatest thing that has ever been done in chairs”. Nearly eight decades later, this statement still holds true. 

The LCW — officially the Eames Moulded Plywood Chair with Wood Base — made its public debut in 1946 at MoMa. For the exhibition, Charles presented the classic chair in natural wood as well as a spirited range of colours, including yellow. 

For Charles, it was essential the colour stain didn’t “cover or blur the natural surface and markings [of the natural plywood]”. Today, this design spec has become a reality with the addition of an updated ochre hue joining the collection. 

Available in ash wood with a nearly opaque yellow stain, the chair retains the moulded five-ply seat and back, eight-ply legs and back brace, with the addition of rubber shock mounts to prevent jarring movements. 

Once again, Herman Miller expands the expression of two design icons with thoughtful sensitivity. In doing so, they continue to enrich the history of design now and for the future. 

Discover the new Hang-It-All and LCW now.

Photography supplied by MillerKnoll.