03.14.12

The Notion of Legacy: A Tribute to Evelyne Jaye, Minimalist and Woman of Style

It’s only furniture … how often have we heard that or actually said it ourselves.  I know I have more than once or twice.

I must tell you that I ate those words a few short weeks ago when I inherited an original Eames Wire Chair with the eiffel base… vintage 1952 which just happens to be when the chair was featured on the cover of Architectural Review.

Having been in the contract furniture world for over 25 + years and surrounded by fabulous furniture pieces in my home… a Knoll Carlos Riart rocker and Robert Venturi chairs, Vitra Jean Pouvre tables, Ross Lovegrove “Go” chairs and much more … this small wire chair filled me with gratefulness and appreciation.

A great big thank you and reverence to my mother-in-law, Evelyne Marie Jaye the curator and keeper of this Herman Miller heirloom…who lived and valued modern design every day of her life. She evoked all things contemporary and minimal as they were at the core of her being.   From her Eileen Fisher wardrobe to her Rothko note cards and dog eared Dwell magazines … I know she was an original subscriber … her legacy will go on.

In memoriam to her I share with you my respect for how she cared for design, valued simplicity and gave her family authenticity.

Barbara Cooper
Pivot Interiors

“Eventually, everything connects.” – Charles Eames