Celebrating American Furniture Design

As we celebrate our nation’s independence, it’s a great time to recognize the best in American furniture design.

Among my favorites are Charles and Ray Eames. Eames furniture, produced by American manufacturer Herman Miller, is synonymous with innovative American design. The Eames Lounge chair could be considered a national treasure.

Recently I sat down with Eames Demetrios, the grandson of Charles and Ray Eames. Demetrios was in Washington, D.C., a few weeks ago to talk about his grandparents’ legacy. The Eames Office, the same company his grandparents created, continues to oversee the production of Charles and Ray’s designs. 

“Our mission is dedicated to communicating, preserving and extending Charles and Ray’s work,” said Demetrios. “The basic idea is that they had a really beautiful design philosophy and way of looking at the world.”

For instance, “they decided to design a chair for how people really sit, instead of how they should sit. So they wanted to support how you really sit and make that better.” The Eames lounge hugs and supports the body as you slouch in your chair. The Eames Molded Plywood Chair supports perfectly.

Speaking of great American design, the Washington Design Center kicks off a new exhibit July 7 to 28 called MADE: In America. MADE: In America is a coalition of business leaders, public policymakers and educators who seek to promote and recognize American ingenuity in the 21st century. This year’s top honor goes to Century Furniture, known as the finest hand-crafted furniture in the United States.

The winners will be honored at the U.S. Capitol on the Fourth of July during the annual Take Pride in America celebration.

Following the awards, Century is displaying “The All American Room” in Suite 606, surrounded by vignettes by each of the other winning manufacturers. Century Furniture gets top honors from the MADE: In America organization this year for its longstanding commitment to making the fine hand-crafted furniture.  Like Eames, which is manufactored in Michigan, Century makes furniture here at home, in Hickory, N.C.

In a statement released by the Washington Design Center, Made: In America Chairman and CEO James DeLorbe states, “Century Furniture has a demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of good corporate citizenship.Throughout an era in which manufacturing has continuously shifted overseas, the company has a 60-plus-year track record of ongoing production in the United States and to providing meaningful jobs to American workers.”

Woodworker Keith Fritz, whose line is sold through Michael-Cleary, also won a special award for excellence in craftsmanship named for William Thornton, the first architect of the U.S. Capitol.

Other lines made in the US were recognized with Build It in America awards, based on their sustained U.S. production and commitment to their workers and hometowns. They are: Duralee Fine Furniture, Kindel, represented through Robert Allen | Beacon Hill; Brighton Pavilion and MacKenzie Dow, both through AmericanEye; and McNeilly, through Charles Ray & Associates.

The Washington Design Center is located at 300 D St. SW, just above the Federal Center SW Metro Station, accessible by the orange and blue lines.