One of our first investments in our old home was a "Hang it All" coat rack designed by Charles and Ray Eames. At the time, we paid around $130, which was much more than we'd ever thought we'd spend on wall hooks, but we loved the design and we knew it was worth the extra money, since we'd use it for a long time. Fast forward several years...
... and it's still one of our favorite pieces. This design has consistently made Apartment Therapy's list of best wall hooks and best coat racks, and it appears in more than a few of our house tours.
Designed by the Eameses in 1953, it was originally intended for children, but the simplicity of the design translated well into other markets. The base is powdercoated steel and the hooks are painted wood, making it a strong and long-lasting piece. It's sold at lots of stores including DWR, Velocity, Amazon, and others. The current list price is around $180.
SHOWN ABOVE
• 1 A Few of Our Small Space Solutions
• 2 Update on Melissa and Matt
• 3 Alex Fuller's Loft
• 4 Anna's Old-and-New Newburgh Victorian
• 5 Product Listing from Herman Miller
Photos: Sarah Coffey, Melissa and Matt, Evan Thomas, Anna, Herman Miller
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Designed by the Eameses in 1953, list price around $180, long-lasting piece, made in Taiwan.
view particlebored's profile
i love it mainly because it is good quality and it works in so many different styles, plus it's versatile... it is a great peice.
view zachary's profile
@particlebored- man, your world must be dark...
view lab director's profile
It's practical and nice looking, but there's no way they can justify charging $180 for a coat rack that costs $10 to mass produce & sell (which they have been for 55 years)
It was a novelty, new & amusing, in 1953. In 2009, it's just an overpriced set of hooks that make people feel they're cool.
view ferha's profile
Good design only appreciates in value.
view KidMoe's profile
i have an authentic one-and the paint is chipping off. i have a near identical one from ebay that i bought a couple of years ago that is not authentic, the paint is much superior. it was about 100 cheaper than the authentic one.
view sunnyvolvo's profile
The only problem I have with this coatrack is that if you actually use it, i.e. hang coats on it, what makes it beautiful is covered up. Which seems like kind of a design flaw...
view idontdobeige's profile
Wishing IKEA would do a knock-off...
Good point made by idontdobeige; when this piece is fully 'employed,' its true panache disappears.
view mirandabee's profile
I have never understood the appeal of this coat rack. I'm glad to learn that it was created for children--to me it looks like something that belongs in a preschool entryway or kid's bedroom. It also reminds me of those models of the solar system we used to make out of painted styrofoam balls.
view sally305's profile
If this were an Ikea product I am certain that a good number of people commenting that this is such a wonderful design would be saying "ugh Ikea, not again!".
Eames designs are nearly as ubiquitous as Ikea, the only difference being you might pay $20 for a coat rack at Ikea and $180 for an Eames coat rack, which is simply ridiculous.
view robbiep's profile
I proudly and shamelessly paid $140 for mine and I love it; I could not be happier with the investment I made. It's one of my favorite pieces in my home. Totally worth every penny.
view design milk's profile
It's a bright and whimsical piece that works. Much like the Eames' themselves, it's fun and pratical. It's ok to have a little fun.
view chairfetish1's profile
glad some folks aren't melting over this piece. design for design's sake. gimme an eames lounger. now you're talkin'.
view alouishus's profile
OMG people will spend $80 on an ironic FREAKIN TEE SHIRT from Urban Outfitters - but somehow $180 for a coatrack is overpriced?
view Modfan's profile