Update - with additional research, I found out that this is actually a "Thonet" mid-century, bent plywood side chair; not by Eames. Thonet makes industrial furniture for colleges and Michael Thonet, a German designer from the 1900's, invented a heat-bending plywood construction process. So, I learned something new about my old chair.
In college, I worked at the Cal Dining Commons and happened upon this thrown out chair near the dumpster. Since I was a student in engineering/architecture, the chair appeared to be an industrial Eames chair that may have been used by the dormitories for student seating. It was in pretty bad shape but I took it home anyway.
Over the years, I used the chair as my step stool, to hold books, and as a trusted painting seat by my easel. For a long time, it sat outside getting worn by the weather and taken apart by neighborhood birds for nesting material.
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Poor old chair sitting outside...
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During the pandemic, I decided to refurbish my old chair and bring her back indoors. I took the seat and back apart, removed the legs, and set about refinishing all the components. Here are a few progress pics from the restoration.
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Taking apart the legs
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Sanded and ready for polyurethane
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All pieces ready for reassembly
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Well, my old Eames chair is restored and ready for another 40 years of service. Many thanks to Tony at Bay Trim Upholstery for reupholstering the seat and back; Ooohhhh, it is so comfy!
