– FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS –
Have a question about our services or about the Eames Lounge chair? See below for answers to frequently asked questions. If yours isn't here, just ask.
Process & Service Questions
Can Herman Miller chairs be repaired?
Yes — and they were designed to be. Herman Miller's Eames furniture is built from discrete components (shells, shock mounts, cushions, bases) that can be repaired or replaced individually, which is exactly why a decades-old chair can be brought fully back to life. We repair the full range: shock mounts, leather, wood and veneer, broken wings, cushions, and bases. The construction that makes these chairs last is the same construction that makes them restorable.
Can an Eames chair be reupholstered?
Yes. Eames Lounge cushions are removable and can be re-covered or fully rebuilt with new leather over new fill, matched to the original weight and finish. We replace cracked, torn, or worn leather and rebuild cushions whose foam and down have broken down with age. Reupholstery is one of the most common jobs we do, and on a quality chair it's almost always worth doing properly rather than replacing the chair.
How much does it cost to reupholster an Eames chair?
The cost to reupholster an Eames Lounge depends on the chair's condition and the leather chosen, so we quote each chair individually rather than quoting a flat rate. The main factors in the cost are whether the cushions can be re-covered or need full rebuilding, the grade of leather selected, and whether any other repairs (shock mounts, wood) are bundled in. Send us your photos and we'll provide a quote before anything ships.
Do I have to be local to use your services?
No. About 70% of the chairs we restore ship in from all over North America. You send photos, we diagnose and quote the work, and we give you exact instructions for packing and shipping the chair before it leaves your home. When it's finished, we ship it back to you.
Send us photos of your chair and a short description of what's wrong (or the services you’re requesting). We'll tell you what your chair needs, what it'll cost, and exactly how to ship it.
How do I get a quote?
About the Eames Chair
"Eames chair" usually refers to the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman — Herman Miller's Model 670 — designed by Charles and Ray Eames and introduced in 1956. It's a molded plywood and leather lounge chair that's become one of the most recognizable pieces of twentieth-century furniture design. (The Eameses designed many other chairs as well — dining chairs, fiberglass shell chairs, and more — which we also restore.) Read more on our history page.
What is an Eames chair?
For the right buyer, yes — and the reasons are practical, not just aesthetic. A genuine Eames lounge is built to last decades, is fully repairable if anything breaks, and tends to hold its value in a way most furniture doesn't. The combination of comfort, longevity, and retained value is what justifies the price for most owners. It's also why restoring an existing chair is so often the better move than buying new.
Is an Eames chair worth it?
How long does an Eames chair last?
An Eames chair can last for generations, with care. The hard structure — the wood shells and aluminum base — can last indefinitely. The wear components are the shock mounts (which dry out and eventually need replacing) and the leather and cushion fill (which age and can be restored or rebuilt). The chair doesn't "wear out" so much as it occasionally needs servicing — which is exactly what keeps these iconic chairs in daily use.
Generally, yes — and well-kept or properly restored chairs especially so. Genuine Eames lounge chairs have a strong, stable secondary market, and originals in good condition have often appreciated over time, which is unusual for mass-produced furniture. Condition and authenticity drive value, which is part of why correct restoration (rather than improvised repair) is so important.
Do Eames chairs hold value?
How much is a used Eames chair worth?
The value of a vintage Eames chair varies widely with age, authenticity, condition, and materials — an early original in good condition sits at the top of the range, while later versions or worn chairs sit lower, and a confirmed reproduction is a different market entirely. We don't do formal appraisals, but we can usually help you understand what you have. If you're deciding whether a chair is worth restoring, send us your photos — that's a question we can answer.
How to tell if you have a genuine Eames chair
Authenticity comes down to construction details, labels, and materials rather than any single tell — manufacturer markings, the base and mount design, the shell construction, and the cushion details all factor in, and they vary by production era. Reproductions can look convincing in photos but differ in the details that matter. If you're unsure, send us clear photos of the chair, its base, and any labels or stamps, and we can usually tell you whether you're looking at a genuine Herman Miller (or Vitra) chair — and roughly what era it's from.
Still have a question?
Send us your photos and a short description and we'll tell you exactly what your chair needs.