Two black armchairs arrive in this order, each a moulded shell with built-in arms on four pale beech legs. Sederica made this Eames style DAW armchair set for the places at a table where people linger: the two ends, a corner by the window, or a desk that doubles as a dining spot. Black gives the curved outline a sharp edge against the wood, so the pair reads clearly even in a busy room.
Black Shell, Beech Legs: The Eames Style DAW Armchair Up Close
The shell is one continuous piece of injection-moulded ABS. Seat, back and arms flow into each other, so the chair supports you on three sides rather than only from behind. Each arm is 33 cm long, which is enough to rest your forearm on while the conversation carries on after the plates are cleared.
The seat is contoured, not flat. It dips where you sit and rolls down at the front edge, which eases pressure on the backs of your legs.
Under the shell, four solid beech dowels angle outwards to a 60 cm footprint. A black wire cross-brace ties them together, holding the legs steady when you lean back or shuffle closer to the table.
ABS or Polypropylene? What Our Eames Plastic Armchair in Black Is Made From
Shell chairs on the market are usually made from one of two plastics. Polypropylene is softer and flexes slightly under your weight. ABS, which we use, is stiffer with a harder surface, so the seat feels firm and the arms keep their shape.
There is a trade-off, and we would rather you know it now. A hard surface can pick up fine scratches if something gritty is dragged across it, and on black those marks can look paler than the shell. Cleaning with a soft cloth, never an abrasive one, keeps this to a minimum.
The finish is UV-stable. A chair placed near a sunny window should keep its deep black rather than drifting towards grey.
Where the Eames DAW Chair Began
Fibreglass-reinforced plastic was a wartime material, first developed for military use. In the late 1940s, Charles and Ray Eames worked with an industrial plastics firm to turn it into an affordable chair, with seat and back formed as one shell.
The armchair came first, in 1950, and the side chair followed. From the start, one shell could sit on several different bases, each given a short code. On this version the letters mean dining height (D), armchair (A) and wooden legs (W).
The Eames Institute explains how the shell was developed. Our reproduction keeps the outline and swaps fibreglass for ABS. You can read more about the couple on our Charles and Ray Eames designer page.
Why Choose the Eames Armchair in Black?
Black is the easiest shell colour to live with day to day. Splashes of red wine, coffee or tomato sauce that would stand out on a paler chair barely register, and the shell wipes clean either way.
It has one weakness. Dust and crumbs show more on black than on white, so a quick wipe after meals keeps the pair looking sharp.
Visually, black draws the outline of the chair. Against beech the contrast is strong, which makes the pair a graphic accent in a white or grey room. It also sits comfortably with dark wood or black-framed tables, concrete or slate floors, and black pendant lights, where it picks up what is already in the room.
We would choose black for a loft-style kitchen, a monochrome dining room, or any space where you want the chairs to look deliberate.
Planning Space for a Pair of DAW Armchairs
Armchairs change how a table works. At 63 cm across, each one takes more room than an armless chair. That is why most homes put the pair at the two ends and use side chairs along the length.
The 44 cm seat suits a standard dining table. The arms rise to 70 cm, which is on the high side for this design, so check the underside of your table if it has a deep frame. Each chair is 50 cm deep, and we suggest leaving around 75 cm between the table edge and the nearest wall so you can pull a chair out and sit down comfortably.
This pair may not be the right choice for a tight breakfast nook, a table with a low frame, or anyone who wants a padded seat. In those cases our armless Eames style DSW chairs take up less space. Full measurements are in the size table on this page.
| Feature | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Seat Height | 44 cm |
| Armrest Height | 70 cm |
| Armrest Length | 33 cm |
Looking After a Black Plastic Shell
Wipe the shell with a microfibre cloth dampened with warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid, then dry it. Avoid melamine sponges and scouring pads: they are abrasive and can leave a dull grey patch on dark plastic. Alcohol and solvent cleaners are best avoided too.
A dry cloth is enough for the beech legs. Once a season, rest each chair upside down on a soft rug and tighten the four fixing screws with the Allen key if any have loosened.
Why Buy From Sederica
Sederica sells mid-century reproductions to homes across Europe. We describe every piece plainly as a style chair, replica or reproduction, and we publish the measurements that matter before you order, including the ones that might rule a chair out. This pair is dispatched from our EU warehouse and covered by our 2-year warranty.
See our Legal Disclaimer for terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a black shell show dust and scratches?
Dust, yes. Scratches, only if something gritty is rubbed across the surface. Black makes fine dust and crumbs easier to see than a white shell does, so a dry wipe after meals helps. Light scratches can look paler than the surrounding black, which is why we recommend a soft cloth rather than any abrasive pad.
Is this an Eames DAW chair or an Eiffel chair?
It is a DAW, the armchair on wooden legs. In the original range, “Eiffel” described the all-metal wire base, coded DAR, because it resembles the tower’s frame. Many shops now call the wooden version an Eames DAW Eiffel chair because of its wire cross-brace, so you will see both names. If you want the all-metal base, this is a different chair.
Can I mix these black armchairs with other chairs?
Yes, and black is the easiest colour to mix. Put the armchairs at each end of the table and armless side chairs in any shell colour along the sides. Black ties a mixed set together. Choose side chairs with a seat height close to 44 cm so everyone sits level.
Is the seat comfortable for long meals without a cushion?
For most people, yes. The contoured seat and arms spread your weight, and the rolled front edge avoids a hard line under your legs. The shell has no padding, though. If you prefer a softer seat, a thin seat pad can be added.
Is a black DAW armchair practical in a family kitchen?
It is one of the more forgiving choices. Splashes of juice or sauce are less visible on black, and the one-piece shell has no seams where food can collect. The arms also help children and older relatives sit down and stand up. Wipe spills off the beech legs quickly, as standing water can mark the wood.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.