Most of the stuff you find at thrift stores or estate sales is usually passable. You know, the kind that’s instantly forgotten when you put on a seat belt, unless it has good bones, comes with a cheap price tag, and has an aesthetic that matches your home. But, rarely, your careful eye notices a collectible piece of kitchen furniture that the seller has no idea could fetch a tidy price. It’s plywood veneer, cast aluminum base, neutral finish — the unmistakable silhouette of Herman Miller Eames’ dining or kitchen table, designed by the iconic duo of Charles and Ray Eames.
But what makes this Mid century modern dining table So special? “The Herman Miller Ames dining table is considered a mid-century modern design icon because of its combination of function,” says Virginia Chumley, Great energy savings and Substack Newsletter what is leftIn her exclusive interview with Hunker. “Like most Eames pieces, the table offers a simple, timeless silhouette and exceptional craftsmanship (think clean lines and high-quality construction—both of which have kept it in demand for decades, and something classy).” And we can all agree that it looks like a breath of fresh (or, should we say vintage?) air that we could all use in an age where we’re stuck with IKEA furniture.
Finding an Authentic Herman Miller Eames Dining Table
Nice to know about it though For more valuable hauls you should look for vintage tables at thrift storesEqually important is knowing the best places to start your hunt so you can plan your resources and time accordingly. Touching on this aspect in her exclusive interview with Hunker, Virginia Chumley advises starting at a vintage store first. “A vintage furniture dealer or antique mall is probably the most likely place to find an authentic example,” she says, “but they also turn up at estate sales, auctions, Facebook marketplaces and, often, thrift stores.” To improve your chances of finding a Herman Miller Eames kitchen table, she says you must visit stores located in areas where homeowners have been downsizing for a long time. This is because they are more likely to have been stripped of these tables when they were first produced.
However, imitations were as common then as they are now, in addition to reissues, be sure to look beyond the silhouette for labels that can claim authenticity. “Some will still have brand stickers on the bottom, so be sure to check under the table when going hunting,” suggests Chumley. Eames.com There is an official list of labels and stamps used for US-based designs that you can compare your thrift finds to.
Herman Miller Ames Dining Table Expected Price
Thrift isn’t limited to affordably curating unique pieces that can fill your home with old-world charm. Often, it’s about building an inventory of collectibles that you can later resell for a profit. Fortunately, the name “Eames” attached to almost anything freely garners a lot of interest, as people find his designs timeless and functional. However, the final price you can set for them can vary widely. “Value depends on model, size, age and condition,” highlights Virginia Chumley during her exclusive Hunker interview, “but an authentic original Herman Miller Ames dining table typically sells for anywhere from about $2,000 to $6,000.” Because Eames tables remain in production and are still sold today, she finds that it is “earlier examples or tables with desirable finishes” that bring better prices. Apart from that, whether the part was restored or refurbished will also play a role.
That being said, your A beginner’s guide to investing in collectible furniture Don’t be limited to Eames alone, as there are many vintage pieces from the mid-century modern (MCM) era that remain in demand. “I always look for Herman Miller, Knoll, Drexel and Lane, as well as solid teak dining tables, credenzas and sculptural dining chairs,” Chumley adds. Because they are functional and not overly trendy, MCM dining furniture is an investment you can never go wrong with.
