Scott Howard Office Furniture homepage Scott Howard Office Furniture homepage
USM Haller USM Haller
Charles and Ray Eames Charles and Ray Eames
Vitra Vitra
Office Chairs Office Chairs
Tables Tables
Home Furniture Home Furniture
Office Furniture Office Furniture
Herman Miller Herman Miller
Girsberger Girsberger
Milani Milani
Storage and Filing Storage and Filing
Reception Desks Reception Desks
Executive and Desking Executive and Desking
Executive and Desking - Ascot
Executive and Desking - Blenheim
Executive and Desking - Profiles
Executive and Desking - Consul Plus
Executive and Desking - Consul
Executive and Desking - Bespoke
Customer Care Customer Care
Reproductions
Contact Us Contact Us
Our Shops Our Shops
     
Opening times
Monday - Friday
9am - 5.30pm
How to recognise the difference between Herman Miller and Vitra versions of the chairs designed by Charles & Ray Eames
Every day, customers call us to ask how they can identify whether they have an American chair by Herman Miller, or a Swiss chair, made by Vitra. Here are a few things to look for:
The Lounge Chair & Ottoman
The top surface of the base on the Herman Miller lounge chair and ottoman is manufactured with a flat surface profile whereas the Vitra version does not have the flat surface.
Eames Lounge Chair   Base detail of Herman Miller and Vitra chairs
Soft Pad and Aluminium Group
Cross head and allen key screw heads   1. The biggest giveaway is the screw heads. If the screw heads are a "cross head screw" then the chair is a Vitra chair. If they are "allen key head screws" then the chair is a Herman Miller version.
2. On the back of the chair, there is a handle. If this is held in position by four "grub screws", then the chair is Herman Miller. If there are no "grub screws" then the chair is from Vitra.   Detail showing back of chair with grub screws and without
Cross head and allen key screw heads   3. Underneath the desk chairs is a tilt mechanism. If the tension handle faces backwards, the chair is Herman Miller. If it faces forwards, it is a Vitra chair.
4. Again under the chair, is the height adjustment facility. If there is a lever on the right hand side, the chair is Vitra. However, if the chair has a wind-up adjustment, then it is a Herman Miller.   Detail showing height adjustment mechanisms
Different types of castors   5. The Herman Miller chair uses single-wheeled castors, whereas the Vitra chair uses double-wheeled castors.
6. Herman Miller meeting chairs always have a five star base, whereas the Vitra chairs use a four star base, as can be seen in the pictures below.
Herman Miller meeting chair   Vitra meeting chair
7. On the tilt mechanism underneath the chairs, if the end caps are aluminium, then it is a Herman Miller chair. If they are painted black plastic, then it is a Vitra chair.

8. The leather on the Herman Miller version is completely smooth, whereas the leather on the Vitra chair is of a rougher texture.

9. Herman Miller chair bases are only available in polished aluminium, whereas Vitra chairs are available in aluminium and chrome.
American aluminium group and softpad group chairs
 

*** Special prices are available upon request ***
** Please call us for a quote on 020 7724 1130 **
  USM Haller | Charles & Ray Eames | Eames Products | History of Eames
Vitra | Office Chairs | Girsberger | Herman Miller Aeron chair
Milani | Storage & Filing | Reception Furniture
Executive & Boardroom Furniture: Ascot, Blenheim,
Profiles, Consul Plus, Consul, Bespoke
General Office | Customer Care | Contact Us | Our Shops