Eames House

The Eames House in Pacific Palisades, California, was designed and constructed by Charles and Ray Eames. This iconic mid-century modern home was built in 1949 atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Conceived as part of the Case Study House Program initiated by John Entenza, the Eames House, also known as Case Study House No. 8, now stands as the architectural embodiment of the Eames’ unique approach to design and the Modern Movement.

Our conservators conducted investigations of the architectural finishes of the Eames House. Their findings supported a conservation plan for the home, which has been converted into a house museum that exhibits the Eames’ contributions to design. The team then documented finish stratigraphies on selected surfaces, including colors and materials, in order to develop appropriate conservation strategies and maintenance priorities. Paint samples were collected from the house and studio and sent to the Canadian Conservation Institute for analysis. Conservators determined that the exterior stucco color schemes remained largely consistent over time, with a few exceptions. Analysis of interior paints and wood coatings revealed a preponderance of alkyd and oil-based coatings in a wide variety of binding media formulations. Treatment tests carried out on interior wood and painted surfaces informed an effective methodology for cleaning clear-coated window shade tracks.

The Eames House is a National Historic Landmark.