set of 4 La Fonda chairs by Eames for Herman Miller, side view

set of 4 La Fonda chairs by Eames for Herman Miller, three-quarter view, green textile seat

Set of 4 white fiberglass chairs facing left, khaki seat

4 chairs for Herman Miller, front view, khaki seat

Set of 4 white fiberglass chairs facing right, khaki seat

Wear mark on the white paint of a La Fonda chair leg by Herman Miller.

A La Fonda chair with green seat, side view

Detail of the upholstery fabric on the fiberglass shell

Label mentioning Herman Miller and Vitra under a La Fonda fiberglass chair seat

A stain on the backrest fabric of the Eames armchair

Set Of 4 La Fonda Chairs – Charles & Ray Eames

Set of 4 “La Fonda” armchairs – Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, DAL models known as “1730-1”.
White lacquered cast aluminum base, fiberglass shell, green synthetic upholstery. 1960s edition.
The “La Fonda” series was developed in the early 1960s for the La Fonda Mexican Cuisine restaurant, located in the Time-Life Building in New York. The project was led by designer Alexander Girard, a close associate of the Eameses and a Herman Miller collaborator until 1973.
Dimensions: H 73 × D 63 × W 57 cm.
Seat height: 48 cm.
Some signs of wear visible on the fabric and bases (see photos).

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Ref: 0007109 Category: Chairs and Armchairs Tags: Armchairs, Chairs, charles & ray eames, herman miller

The “La Fonda” series

Developed in 1961 by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, the “La Fonda” series was born from a specific commission by their close collaborator Alexander Girard, who was tasked with designing the interior of the La Fonda del Sol restaurant in the Time-Life Building in New York.

This project marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Eameses’ work. To meet the venue’s constraints, Girard wanted seating lower than the tables to preserve the space’s clarity and the restaurant’s visual flow. The Eameses then developed a specific new shell, paired with a unique central base designed exclusively for this series.

The “La Fonda” range includes several variants—armchairs, chairs, and tables—produced from the early 1960s. Initially designed for contract use, it was quickly added to the Herman Miller catalog and released to a wider audience, remaining in production for several years.

These models are distinguished by their fiberglass shells, integrated upholstery—a notable innovation in Eames production—and sculptural cast aluminum bases. The collection reflects a search for balance between functionality, comfort, and architectural coherence, characteristic of 20th-century American design.

Today, the “La Fonda” series holds a special place in the Eameses’ body of work, at the intersection of domestic furniture and large-scale interior design, testifying to their close collaboration with Alexander Girard and their holistic approach to design.