When you enter the world of timeless design, the Eileen Gray Table shines brightly. It’s a true masterpiece created by the brilliant Irish designer and architect, Eileen Gray. This iconic furniture piece has won the hearts of design lovers for many years. Its sleek lines and versatility make it the perfect example of modern elegance.
Back in the 1920s, the Eileen Gray Table was ahead of its time. It was made long before the popular tubular steel furniture of Le Corbusier. Its unique feature was its adjustable height and angle. This let users set the table just right for their needs. Eileen Gray was all about making furniture that was both beautiful and practical.
This design has kept its charm over the years. It has inspired many and made Eileen Gray a legend in art deco and modernist furniture. Her work continues to influence designers today.
Key Takeaways
- The Eileen Gray Table is a renowned masterpiece of modern furniture design, renowned for its elegance and functionality.
- Eileen Gray, an Irish designer and architect, created this adjustable table in the 1920s, predating the use of tubular steel by Le Corbusier.
- The table’s sleek, geometric design and versatile features have made it a coveted piece of art deco and modernist furniture.
- Eileen Gray’s focus on creating adaptable, user-centric furniture is exemplified by the Eileen Gray Table’s adjustable height and angle.
- The Eileen Gray Table continues to be sought after by design enthusiasts and collectors, testament to the designer’s visionary approach and lasting impact on modern design.
Unveiling the Genius of Eileen Gray
Eileen Gray, a famous Irish designer, made a big impact on modern design. She was born in the late 19th century into an Irish aristocratic family. Gray started her journey by studying fine art at the Slade School of Fine Art. But her true passion grew when she visited the Victoria and Albert Museum, drawn to Japanese lacquerware and East Asian art.
In 1902, Eileen Gray moved to Paris to learn lacquering from Japanese master Seizo Sugawara. This was a turning point for her design style. She mixed traditional Japanese craftsmanship with the abstract geometric principles of the Dutch De Stijl movement. This created glossy, minimalist screens and panels that made her known in Paris.
Pioneering a New Style in Lacquerwork
Eileen Gray became a leader in lacquerwork and design. Her work as a furniture designer and architect started with her iconic furniture pieces. The Satellite Mirror and the Transat Chair show her skill and vision.
Her geometric design focused on functionality, practicality, and beauty. The E.1027 table was made for her sister who ate in bed. It’s a great example of her ability to meet user needs while keeping a modern look.
“Eileen Gray’s philosophy on design, as reflected in her furniture pieces, emphasizes functionality, practicality, and aesthetic appeal.”
The Rise of a Design Visionary
Eileen Gray’s Business Ventures
By the early 1920s, Eileen Gray was a top designer of lacquer furniture in Paris. She opened her own shop, Galerie Jean Désert, to show off her furniture design skills. Gray was the main force behind this Paris design venture, working with Jean Badovici, an architectural critic and editor. Together, they designed the store, showing Gray’s wide range of skills.
Gray’s success with her lacquer furniture and her business, including a weaving studio, made her a rising star in Paris’s art and design scene. Her Galerie Jean Désert drew in chic clients like the Duchess of Clermont-Tonnerre and Jacques Doucet. Gray’s innovative designs, despite facing challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field, made her a trailblazer in furniture design.
“Eileen Gray faced challenges due to her gender and lack of access to supportive networks or powerful mentors, yet she became known for her opulent and distinct design approach.”
Gray’s style was influenced by modernism and Art Deco, making her stand out. Her use of geometric shapes and industrial materials inspired others and changed furniture design and Paris design forever.
Eileen Gray Table: An Icon of Modern Furniture
The Eileen Gray Table is a true masterpiece of modern design. It has a sleek, geometric shape and innovative features. This piece of furniture is a symbol of 20th-century modernism. It uses a sturdy tubular steel frame, which was new at the time.
The Eileen Gray Table stands out because it’s so adaptable. You can adjust its height and angle to fit your needs. This shows Eileen Gray’s focus on making furniture that meets the changing needs of people.
Today, the Eileen Gray Table is a top choice for collectors. Its timeless design and innovative spirit make it an icon of modern furniture. It measures 50 cm in diameter, 10 cm deep, and can be adjusted from 66 cm to 88 cm tall. Made from high-quality clear glass and shiny stainless steel, it’s both durable and looks great.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Price (Incl. TAX) | €169.00 |
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| Materials |
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| Safety Standards | All furniture products fulfill the UK/Europe & USA fire safety standards. |
The Eileen Gray Table shows the vision of its designer. Its timeless beauty, innovative design, and focus on the user have made it an iconic piece. It’s loved by collectors and design fans everywhere.
Transition to Architecture: E-1027 Villa
In the late 1920s, famous designer Eileen Gray moved from furniture design to architecture. Her first big project was the E-1027 villa in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France. This building showed off Modernist design and adaptable living.
A Revolutionary Living Space
The E-1027 villa, finished in 1929, was a big change in home design. Gray mixed moving screens with fixed walls. This made a space that could change with the needs of its owners.
The villa had adaptable furnishings, like a bed table that moved. This let guests eat in bed without making a mess. Gray’s ideas were ahead of her time, showing a new way to live.
This Modernist home focused on the user, blending architecture and furniture for a personal touch. Gray’s designs in 1929 started a new trend in adaptable living.
“The house covers an area of 1,400 square feet and features innovative use of space with rooms that are private and waiting to be discovered.”
Le Corbusier’s Controversial Influence
Le Corbusier often visited Eileen Gray’s E-1027 villa and admired her work. He even included her “Centre des Vacances” in his 1937 exhibition. But, his relationship with the villa was also marked by controversy.
Years after the villa was finished in 1926, Le Corbusier added bold cubist murals. He said he wanted to “violently destroy” the space. Many saw this as Le Corbusier trying to show he was more important than Gray’s Modernist design.
“Le Corbusier’s act of vandalism was seen by many as an attempt to assert his own design dominance over Gray’s innovative Modernist creation.”
During World War II, the French Riviera was hit hard, and the E-1027 villa was even used for target practice. Yet, the E-1027 villa is now seen as a key piece of Modernist design. Efforts are being made to keep its legacy alive.
| Key Events | Year |
|---|---|
| E-1027 villa constructed | 1926-1929 |
| Le Corbusier paints murals on the walls | 1938-1939 |
| E-1027 villa used as target practice by German soldiers | World War II |
| French government agency takes ownership for preservation | 1999 |
| Restoration efforts begin | 2006 |
Le Corbusier’s role in the E-1027 villa’s story makes its history complex. Yet, it also shows why we must keep the innovative Modernist design of Eileen Gray alive. She was a major architect of the 20th century.
Unfinished Architectural Dreams
Eileen Gray is famous for her iconic E-1027 villa. But her work goes way beyond that. She left behind sketches for 45 more projects that never happened. Her talent and vision were huge, but we didn’t get to see all her amazing designs.
Gray also worked on two more houses – Tempe à Pailla and her own home in St Tropez. But she had even bigger plans, as shown by her many unbuilt projects. It’s sad that we didn’t get to see what else she could have made.
Her unfinished projects give us a peek into her creative mind. They show her bold ideas and innovative take on Modernist architecture. Even though they were never built, these unfinished architectural dreams prove Eileen Gray’s lasting impact on design.
“The wealth of unbuilt projects in her archive suggests that Eileen Gray’s architectural dreams and ambitions were far-reaching, and that the world was deprived of the full extent of her innovative contributions to Modernist design.”
Rediscovering Eileen Gray’s Legacy
Eileen Gray made big contributions to design and architecture, but she was often overlooked. It wasn’t until she was in her 90s, in the early 1970s, that people started to notice her work. Art historian Joseph Rykwert wrote an article that highlighted her “inventiveness” and “visionary intuition” in the Architectural Review.
After that, Gray’s work started to get more attention. Exhibitions in Paris and New York showcased her groundbreaking furniture designs and her famous E-1027 villa.
Renewed Appreciation and Exhibitions
Now, Eileen Gray’s work is celebrated in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. Her furniture is highly sought after by collectors worldwide. The rediscovery of this remarkable designer has made her a trailblazer of 20th-century Modernist design.
In 1972, one of Gray’s screens, “Destiny” (“Le Destin”), sold for $36,000 at auction. This showed how much people were starting to appreciate her work. A retrospective on Eileen Gray at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris was set to run until May 20, 2024.
“Eileen Gray’s work has commanded extraordinary prices and attention as her pioneering contributions to Modernist design have been rediscovered.”
For the first time, Eileen Gray’s furniture was shown at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. This was a big moment for her design legacy. Today, her work is on display at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. Visitors can see the elegance and innovation of her creations.
The rediscovery of Eileen Gray’s work has been an amazing journey. It has made her a trailblazer of 20th-century Modernist design. Through exhibitions and the production of her iconic furniture, her influence continues to inspire people worldwide.
Bringing Eileen Gray’s Designs to Life
The iconic furniture designs of Eileen Gray, like the famous Eileen Gray Table, are now reissued by ClassiCon, a top German brand. These authentic copies let design lovers and collectors own a piece of modern design history. They keep Gray’s visionary work inspiring and fascinating new generations.
These reissues show great care in detail and craftsmanship. They honor Eileen Gray’s lasting legacy and her big impact on modern design. From the E-1027 table with its sleek lines from 1927 to the E1027 Side Table, these pieces let you see Eileen Gray’s genius up close.
| Eileen Gray Design | Year Designed | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| E-1027 Table | 1927 | Sleek, modernist design with a glass top and tubular steel base |
| E1027 Side Table | 1926-1929 | Multifunctional table designed for use over the knees or as a bedside table |
ClassiCon’s reissues celebrate Eileen Gray’s legacy and make her innovative designs available to more people. These modern design classics are brought back to life. They keep the timeless beauty and practicality of Eileen Gray’s work inspiring design lovers for years to come.
“Eileen Gray’s designs were far ahead of their time, showcasing her remarkable vision and talent. These reissues are a testament to her enduring influence on the world of furniture design.”
If you’re a collector or just love the beauty and innovation of Eileen Gray’s furniture, these ClassiCon reissues are a great chance. They let you add a piece of design history to your home. Experience the genius of this pioneering designer and let her timeless pieces refresh your living space.
Conclusion
Eileen Gray made a big impact on design with her work. She was a furniture designer and architect. Her designs changed the look of the International Style and modernism.
She started with lacquerwork and then changed furniture and architecture. Her designs were ahead of their time. They still inspire people today.
During her life, many didn’t recognize Gray’s talent. But now, people see her as a pioneer of 20th-century design. Her famous pieces, like the Eileen Gray Table, are now seen as art.
Her work over nearly a century shows her creativity and innovation. She aimed to make life better with her designs. Her influence on modern design shows the power of vision and hard work.