From the Department of Famous Love Letters. 8 and the 1.4-acre property that inspired the Eameses’ work for the rest of their lives remain intact, overseen by the nonprofit Eames Foundation:
Photograph by Gunnar Klack via Flickr.
The original plans called for a cliffside house to overlook the ocean.
Waiting for construction materials to become available, the Eameses picnicked on the property and fell “in love with the meadow.” To preserve it, they changed the design of the house.
Photograph by John Zacherle via Flickr.
Built in 1949, the house was redesigned to fit into the landscape and became the home of the husband-and-wife design team for the rest of their lives (Charles died in 1978 and Ray died 10 years later).
Among the artifacts original to the house is a ball of dried tumbleweed that hangs from the ceiling; the Eameses collected it on their honeymoon in 1941 as they drove from Chicago to the West Coast.
Photograph by John Zacherle via Flickr.
The house, preserved in its original state to the extent possible, has had plumbing and electrical repairs (and original fabric recently was re-glued).
Photograph by John Zacherle via Flickr.
The Eames house and garden are open to visitors; to make a reservation, see Eames Foundation.