Eames Elliptical Table

The nickname came almost immediately after the table was introduced in 1951. Charles and Ray Eames lived in the Pacific Palisades with a commanding view of the Pacific Ocean, and people often refer to this piece as the "surfboard table" — though the Eameses themselves never confirmed whether the shape was inspired by surfboards. The official name is ETR, which stands for Elliptical Table Rod Base. Both names refer to the same piece.

ETR stands for Elliptical (E) Table (T) Rod (R) Base — describing both the shape of the top and the type of base construction. The ETR base uses two of the same wire-rod bases Charles and Ray designed for the LTR, a much smaller table — the ETR simply bridges two of those bases with the much larger elliptical top.

The ETR measures 226.7 cm in length, 74.6 cm in width, and just 25.5 cm in height. It is a very long, very low table — designed to sit in front of a sofa or anchor a lounge seating group. In practical terms, you need a room large enough to place the table in front of a sofa with comfortable clearance on all sides. Typically, a room of at least 4 × 5 metres is needed to place the ETR without it feeling crowded. We strongly recommend checking your floor plan before ordering — contact our team and we can advise.

It is an authorised original. Vitra is the sole authorised manufacturer of Eames products for Europe and the Middle East — when you own an Eames product made by Vitra, you know it is an original. ETR tables sold by other manufacturers in this region — including the very large number of "replica" or "style" versions widely available online — are not authorised and do not carry the approval of the Eames Office. The quality difference in materials, construction, and surface finish between a Vitra original and an unauthorised reproduction is significant and visible.

The chrome-plated base is the original finish — bright, reflective, and close to how the table appeared when first produced in 1951. It works particularly well with the white top, where the contrast between the warm chrome and the white laminate is clean and light. The epoxy dark (black powder-coat) base is more graphic and contemporary — it creates a stronger silhouette, particularly with the black top, and sits more quietly in dark-toned interiors. Both are available with both top colours. If in doubt, visit our Almaty showroom to see the finishes in person.

The white top is the more versatile of the two — it works in light and dark interiors alike, and its reflective surface catches light well in living spaces. The black top is more directional — it is particularly effective in interiors with dark flooring or furniture, and creates a very strong graphic presence in all-white rooms. Both tops have the same plywood edge detail, which reads similarly in black and white.

The ETR is a coffee / sofa table — its height of 25.5 cm makes it unsuitable for seated dining or desk use. It is designed for use in front of seating at lounge height. For a dining table, see the Eames Segmented Table (Dining) or the Noguchi Dining Table from the same Vitra collection.

Yes. Delivery is available across Kazakhstan and the CIS region, with professional installation available in Almaty.