The Eames Institute is now open for tours - mcm fans rejoice!

Walk into the lobby of the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity in Richmond, CA and you are greeted by a waving image of Ray and Charles Eames themselves. 

The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity is now open for tours at their Richmond, CA facility.

Containing tens of thousands of items, this curator led tour is a record of Ray and Charles Eames amazing partnership. You will see the products that made it into production as well as those that did not, their models, sketches and so much more.

While we had expected to be delighted by their designs, the unexpected highlight of the tour was our tour guide and curator of the collection — Llisa Demetrios — the granddaughter of Ray and Charles Eames.

The collection center at the Eames Institute in Richmond, CA is full of design history with one-offs, classics, prototypes and experiments in tables, seating on more. 

Llisa regaled us with stories of growing up with such creative and famous grandparents and offered an insiders view of many of their designs. The 90 minute tour flew by and we didn’t want it to end.

Before we left we browsed the gift shop for one of a kind items. All in all, a great way to spend a Friday morning.

The tour is limited to ten people and are offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Tickets are released at 10:00 am on the first of the month for the following month's tours. Tickets sell out quickly so mark your calendar and set an alarm!

This image is of a drawing Charles Eames did showing the intersection of the best design and how you get there. 

Only a few of these speakers designed by the Eames team exist. 

The gallery at the Eames Institute in Richmond, CA is full of images, keepsakes and items of interest that give great perspective on how the Eames came to their design process over the years.