It Was Everywhere In The '60s — Now Finding It At The Thrift Store Is Like Winning The Lottery

Thrift shopping is not a spectator sport. For those of us who truly thrive on the thrill of finding that one perfect gem hidden in some dark corner of an old thrift shop, or sifting through a rummage sale, or even trying our luck at an auction, there's really no rush like it. Especially when your thrifting is targeted and you know what to look for. At this point, just about any mid-century modern piece is worth a second look. But finding one particularly iconic piece of furniture from the '60s — a Herman Miller Eames kitchen table — would be almost like winning the lottery. 

There are some brands that are always worth buying at thrift stores, and the name Eames should definitely be on that list if you are a thrifter. Designer couple Charles and Ray Eames were at the top of their game in the '60s, working with the Herman Miller furniture company to create their signature sleek tables and chairs that have stood the test of time. They are considered to be two of the most influential designers of the mid-century modern furniture movement, so finding a Herman Miller Eames kitchen table at a thrift store would truly be like hitting the jackpot. Be prepared to really dig, however. These treasured tables are tough to find in the wild. And you might find yourself going toe-to-toe with a fellow thrifter if you want to bring this stylish piece home with you at the end of the day.

Charles and Ray Eames debuted their first commercial dining table design in 1946. Called the DTW (Dining Table of Wood), the slim table was designed with removable L-shaped legs for optimal functionality and simplicity. The couple went on to mass produce more affordable tables in several different designs, with clean lines and simple names like DTM (Dining Table on Metal base) and eventually the popular model 650, a round table with a pedestal column and aluminum base. Designed in 1968, the Eames Universal Base made it even easier to widely distribute their furniture, as the basic four-foot pedestal could be added to many coffee tables, dining tables, chairs, and more. 

All these years later, any style of Herman Miller Eames tables should be considered the Holy Grail of thrifting. They were once affordable, mass-produced furniture pieces, but they're now considered mid-century modern gems that are worth thousands of dollars. Eames' dining tables are listed on high-end resale sites like 1stDibs, where they sell anywhere from just under $1,000 to over $10,000. Presumably there are professional thrifters combing the internet and estate sales for these Eames tables already. Which means it would be a bit of a windfall to find one yourself. But it would also be well worth the effort. 

Before you get too excited about the idea of hunting down an Eames dining table, there are some steps to keep in mind. Firstly, you are going to want to check for an official Eames stamp, logo, or patent label, depending on which year your table was made. In the United States, the authorized manufacturer stamp should be Herman Miller, and in Europe the stamp or label should be from Vitra. The Eames website provides a full list of varying stamp designs. If there is no stamp, you might also be able to identify an authentic Eames table from its Eames Universal Base, its quality materials, or its high-end veneer work. However, natural aging and some signs of wear and tear are to be expected from a real mid-century table, so if you see a table that looks too good to be true, it probably isn't authentic.

Knowing how to authenticate any thrift store find is always important, as is knowing which thrift store to pick. To find big ticket items like an Eames dining table, you might want to get away from the more high traffic thrift stores and check some that are off the beaten track. Perhaps head out for a road trip to find a locally run thrift shop or even an estate sale. The thrill of the hunt is real, and the pay off might be pretty extraordinary.