Specialty • Eames 670 / 671 • Herman Miller & Vitra
Olek repairs, restores, refinishes and reupholsters authentic Herman Miller- and Vitra-produced Eames Lounge Chairs and Ottomans with a focus on preserving original shells, veneer, hardware and period character wherever condition allows. The work is model- and era-specific—from shock mounts and broken lower back shells to cushions, leather, bases and finish.
Preserve The Icon • Restore What Failed
The Lounge Chair is a system: molded plywood shells, face veneer, shock mounts, die-cast aluminum supports, removable cushion assemblies, leather or fabric upholstery and small hardware that collectively establish its feel and identity. Olek evaluates what is original, what has failed, what can remain and what truly needs replacement before defining the restoration scope.
When shock-mount failure tears or fractures a lower back shell, Olek can rebuild the plywood layer by layer while retaining the original outer face veneer and flitch pattern where feasible. A fine witness line may remain at the original break; the objective is to recover structure without erasing the chair’s identity.
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A back that begins to sag, stiffen or lose its intended flexibility deserves prompt assessment. Olek replaces failed or deteriorated mounts rather than attempting to re-glue degraded rubber, using its proprietary replacement system and a warranty term defined by the quoted repair scope.
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Vintage shells may have different finish systems from later production, and rear surfaces often age differently from protected areas. Olek uses the surviving finish, veneer thickness and production era to decide how much preparation and color correction are appropriate instead of applying one generic strip-and-refinish formula.
Learn More →Proprietary Shock-Mount Engineering
The original Eames attachment concept depends on flexible mounts bonded to the plywood shells. Olek treats that flexibility as part of the chair’s design intent, but does not reproduce the original failure-prone construction literally. Olek describes its proprietary replacement as using ebonized solid-beech plates shaped to the original mount profile, threaded flanges and neoprene bushings so the back can retain its intended movement while the attachment system is rebuilt around a different structural approach.
Originality • Structure • Period Character
Sound face veneer, flitch pattern, color relationships and visible age are treated as assets. Structural repair is developed around them rather than assuming the shell should simply be replaced.
Clips, snaps, spacers, zippers, cushion backs, bases and connecting hardware are retained when their condition and function justify it. Replacement or replication is reserved for parts that are missing, failed or unsuitable for continued use.
Vintage padding and newer cushion systems are not automatically interchangeable. Olek considers the production era, surviving materials, cushion profile and owner’s preservation goals before rebuilding comfort.
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Olek evaluates back position, flexibility, mount condition and the surrounding plywood before replacement. Degraded mounts are removed without treating the shell as disposable, then replaced with Olek’s proprietary system. Current Olek service terms state shock-mount warranty periods vary from 5 to 15 years depending on the quoted scope .
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For fractured lower back shells, Olek can preserve the original exterior veneer while rebuilding the damaged plywood structure from within. Where appropriate, damaged internal plywood layers are reconstructed with 1/16-inch maple veneer; matching interior face material may use documented, legally sourced old-stock veneer when required by the repair. Olek’s current service terms advertise a 15-year warranty on broken lower back shell repair .
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Finish treatment is based on the chair’s age and actual surviving coating. Earlier chairs may have an oil-finish maintenance history while later examples use other finish systems. Olek can selectively prepare and rebalance faded areas, repair veneer and develop color and sheen continuity without assuming every Eames shell should receive the same finish recipe.
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For early-production chairs commonly described by collectors as Series I, Olek retains and refurbishes the natural-latex and feather/foam character where condition permits rather than automatically substituting a later cushion construction. The objective is to preserve the softer, broken-in cushion profile associated with early production while still addressing failed materials.
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Original leather is retained when its condition supports continued use. When reupholstery is appropriate, matching considers grain, hand, sheen, tone, cushion profile and production era rather than color alone. Cushion work can be coordinated so new upholstery does not change the intended fit or silhouette.
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Olek inspects bases, connecting parts, clips, snaps, spacers, zippers and cushion backs, retaining serviceable originals where practical. When certain original acrylic-vinyl cushion backs cannot be retained, Olek can replicate the texture and hole pattern to preserve the visual and functional relationship of the cushion assembly.
Why Olek
Shock mounts, plywood structure, veneer, upholstery, hardware and finish cross several restoration trades. Olek’s broader furniture-restoration, cabinetmaking, finishing and upholstery capabilities allow the chair to be assessed as one designed system rather than a collection of unrelated repairs.
Craftsmanship since 1950
100s of Eames Lounge Chairs Repaired Globally
Nationwide Eames service
Furniture + finish + upholstery disciplines
Warranty By Repair Scope
Olek’s published Eames service terms distinguish between repair types: broken lower back shell reconstruction is advertised with a 15-year warranty , while shock-mount warranties vary from 5 to 15 years depending on the quoted scope . The proposal for each chair should state the exact components covered, duration, exclusions and warranty terms.
Era, Material & Authenticity
Authentic chairs use molded plywood shells with face veneer. Vintage Brazilian rosewood can be especially significant; Brazilian rosewood ( Dalbergia nigra ) is CITES Appendix I, so any matching old-stock material used in repair must be handled with appropriate documentation and legal sourcing.
Historical Herman Miller care material identifies Gunstock Oil on pre-1994 chairs, while later production moved through other finish systems and current production offers both lacquered and selected oiled veneers. Restoration therefore starts by identifying the surviving coating and production era rather than treating “Gunstock Oil” as a universal recipe.
Current Herman Miller production uses removable cushion units and polyurethane foam; early chairs can differ materially. Olek’s Series I approach is to retain period-specific padding character where viable, while leather work is matched around age, grain, sheen, tone and original cushion geometry.
1950
Olek Established
5–15
Years · Shock-Mount Warranty by Scope
15
Years · Broken Lower Back Shell Warranty
Global
Shipping Coordination
Nationwide & International Access
Olek handles Eames projects from across the United States and can coordinate international work. Depending on scope, owners may ship a complete chair, use local pickup in the New York/New Jersey region, or send disassembled seat/back shell components for focused shock-mount or shell repair. Packaging guidance is project-specific; the lightweight component-shipping option should not be confused with the weight of a complete Lounge Chair.
Verified Eames Client Experience
After an initial shock-mount repair, this client returned to Olek for upholstery work and restoration of the chair’s original rosewood, reporting a strong finished result and positive service experience.
When an older Eames Lounge Chair collapsed, Olek coordinated the repair quote, disassembly, packing and shipping process; the client reported that the logistics and repair process went smoothly.
A long-term owner of a 1989 Eames Lounge Chair has used Olek for ongoing service, including recent cushion replacement, and reported that the replacement leather matched the chair successfully.
From Identification To Return
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Send overall photos, underside labels or markings, shell details, cushion backs and the damage. Olek identifies the likely production era, existing materials and repair priorities before quoting.
02
The team advises whether the full chair, chair and ottoman, or only selected shell components should be sent. On arrival, condition and components can be documented before work begins.
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Shock mounts, shell reconstruction, veneer, finish, cushions, leather and hardware are addressed according to the approved scope, with original material retained wherever its condition justifies continued use.
04
The completed chair is reviewed for structure, alignment, appearance and upholstery fit. Final images can be shared before packing, pickup or return shipment is coordinated.
Yes. Olek works on authentic Herman Miller- and Vitra-produced Eames Lounge Chairs and Ottomans, from early production—often described by collectors with Series I / Series II shorthand—through later vintage and newer production. The repair plan is based on the actual construction, materials, labels and production era rather than the shorthand alone.
A back that visibly sags, changes position, becomes unusually stiff or loses its expected flexibility should be assessed. If a mount has separated or the back is sagging below its normal position, stop using the chair until it has been inspected to reduce the risk of additional shell damage.
Olek does not treat degraded shock-mount rubber as a reliable surface for a simple re-glue. When the mount itself has aged or failed, replacement is generally the appropriate repair rather than adding adhesive to deteriorated material.
Olek’s current public service terms advertise a 15-year warranty on broken lower back shell repair. Shock-mount warranties vary from 5 to 15 years depending on the quoted repair scope. The project proposal should state the exact components covered, duration and warranty terms.
Often, yes. Olek’s specialty is rebuilding damaged plywood from within while retaining the original exterior veneer and flitch pattern where feasible. A fine line at the original fracture may remain visible on close inspection, and feasibility depends on the actual damage.
For early Series I chairs, Olek’s stated approach is to retain and refurbish the natural-latex and feather/foam character where viable rather than automatically replacing it with modern urethane foam. Condition and previous alterations determine what can actually be conserved.
Original leather is retained when serviceable. When replacement is appropriate, Olek matches more than color: grain, hand, sheen, tone, age and cushion profile all affect whether new upholstery belongs on the chair.
The shells are veneered molded plywood and different production eras used different finish systems. Olek uses veneer-sensitive preparation, surviving finish and protected areas as references, selectively correcting fading or color imbalance rather than applying a generic stripping and refinishing process.
Olek’s goal is to retain serviceable original details when condition and function allow. Broken or missing components can be repaired or selectively replicated, including certain acrylic-vinyl cushion-back details where the original cannot remain in service.
Yes. Olek coordinates Eames work nationwide and can handle international inquiries. Depending on the repair, the team may recommend shipping the whole chair or only disassembled seat/back shell components. Packing and carrier recommendations are given according to the actual scope.
Independent Restoration Service
Eames®, Herman Miller® and Vitra® are trademarks of their respective owners. Olek Inc. is an independent restoration provider and does not claim manufacturer authorization or endorsement. References to Herman Miller and Vitra identify the authentic production being restored.
Start With Photos, Labels & The Failure Point
Send overall photos plus close-ups of the underside label, shells, shock mounts, lower back, cushion backs, leather and any damaged hardware. If the chair is sagging or a shock mount has separated, stop using it until the condition is reviewed.