Hasta La Ideas

Legendary Furniture Design meets cutting edge Automotive CMF.

2021 marks 65 years since the Eames Lounge Chair was first debuted by prolific design duo, Ray and Charles Eames. The chair and ottoman, with their bent plywood paneling and plush leather cushioning, look futuristic even by today’s standards and are every bit a design hallmark… however it hasn’t stopped British automotive designer Ian Callum from propelling it further into the future. The Callum Lounge Chair builds on the template of the Eames Lounge Chair, albeit with fresh, automotive-inspired design sensibilities and a carbon-fiber construction!

The chair comes from the studio Callum Designs, which was founded in 2019 after Ian Callum retired from his position as the Director of Design for Jaguar Land Rover. Callum’s 4-decade career also includes work for Ford, TWR, and Aston Martin. Embarking on a new creative journey with his own studio, the iconic British Designer debuted the Callum Lounge Chair – a piece of furniture that has a distinct automotive touch. Callum’s reinterpretation of the timeless mid-century design classic showcases sportscar contouring along with automotive-inspired electric blue cushions. The cushions sit against a wood and carbon fiber frame, giving the car its slick, sporty appeal. The vibrant Pantone palette was a conscious design choice too, straying from the Eames Lounge Chair’s black and brown aesthetic. The chairs are finished by hand in Callum Design’s in-house trim shop in their Warwickshire HQ.

Furniture is an exciting new domain for Ian, who’s spent over 40 years in the automotive world. In an interview with Wallpaper, Callum addressed how his previous experiences with chairs has always come with strings attached, given most of them fit inside cars. He mentions that with the Callum Lounge Chair, “[it] doesn’t have to pass any kind of crash test, which is refreshing”. The Callum Lounge Chair will remain a one-off prototype for now, unless it drums up enough customer interest… although one can expect them to cost a fortune!

Designer: Ian Callum (Callum Designs)