Iconic Designs
Nelson Platform Bench
About the Design
With its clean lines, sculptural shape and use of organic materials, George Nelson’s Platform bench reflected the American designer’s background in architecture and embodied modernist design. The bench, critical to the Basic Cabinet series he created for Michigan manufacturer Herman Miller — his first collection for the maker — demonstrates Nelson’s enthusiasm for honest, pared-down design.
Nelson (1908–86) grew up in Connecticut and studied architecture at Yale University. While on a post-grad fellowship in Rome, he interviewed numerous pioneering modernist designers, such as Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and more for profiles that were published in American architecture journal Pencil Points. Nelson subsequently lectured at Yale and secured prominent architectural commissions, but his editor roles at Architectural Forum and Fortune magazine proved pivotal to his career. After Herman Miller founder D.J. De Pree caught wind of Nelson’s Storagewall — a modular storage concept codeveloped with architect Henry Wright that was featured in Life and in the pair’s book, Tomorrow’s House — he invited him to design modern furniture for the company.
In 1946, Herman Miller debuted Nelson’s spare and versatile slatted-wood Platform bench. Initially comprising a birch top and ebonized wood legs, the bench’s metal base was integrated as an alternative in 1954. Nelson created his Platform bench for his office at Fortune before it found a home at Herman Miller, where it was marketed as seating, a low table or, per an Irving Harper–designed ad, a “plant rest.” It was discontinued in 1967, but the company reintroduced it in 1994. Today, the Nelson Platform bench is available from Herman Miller as well as Vitra (“Nelson bench”) in various sizes and finishes.
Platform Bench
to
5
1
6
2
2
1
1
Mid Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Long Bench
By George Nelson
Located in Tulsa, OK
**Please Read Entire Description**
Please view all listing pictures on a laptop if possible. Some cell phones don’t display all listing pictures and some could be pictures relati...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Oak
Mid Century Wood Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Detroit, MI
This iconic mid-century modern Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller was produced circa 2020. This mid century modern classic was first designed by George Nelson in the 1...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood, Maple
George Nelson for Herman Miller 72" Slatted Platform Bench, 2002
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
George Nelson for Herman Miller 72" Slatted Platform Bench, 2002. Classic and timeless, this George Nelson bench has just the right amount of 20+ years of great honey colored patina...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Birch
Midcentury George Nelson Slatted Bench for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
An American Midcentury-Modern classic. This slatted bench was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. It comprised of maple with ebonized legs. A design of balance, symmetry, an...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Maple
Rare Early George Nelson Bench / Coffee Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A early and rare Nelson coffee table / bench with white rectangle Laminate top having black legs typical of the Nelson slat bench coffee table. This table was not produced in large n...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
George Nelson, Platform Bench, for Herman Miller, late 1940s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nelson, Platform Bench, for Herman Miller, late 1940s
Black painted birch frame, the slatted top on three curved supports,
235cm wide, 47cm deep, 36cm high
This is an origin...
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Birch, Paint
Related Items
George Nelson Stool for Herman Miller, USA, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
George Nelson Stool for Herman Miller, USA - 1960s in all original condition with the rare brown base
George Nelson (1908-1986) was an American industrial designer and architect who...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Materials
Metal
Classic Modernist Slat Bench / Cocktail Table After George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Modernist Slat Bench / Cocktail Table after George Nelson,, Nice original condition ,,patina.. Classic modernist design.. Hand delivery avail to New York City or anywhere en ...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Slatted Wood Bench Coffee Table George Nelson Style
By George Nelson
Located in Baltimore, MD
Amazing Mid-Century Modern George Nelson style slat bench coffee table. Classic slat wood coffee table bench. This table is exceptionally well made. Features clean lines and legs that taper down as they reach the floor. An Iconic retro slatted bench...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench Maple Blonde / Black
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Beautiful mid century George Nelson Herman Miller slatted bench with Amazing Patina. This bench is 72.25" Long Slatted coffee table or bench. Blonde bench...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood, Birch
H 14.5 in W 72.25 in D 18.25 in
George Nelson Style Mid Century Slat Bench
By George Nelson
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson style mid century slat bench
This piece measures: 60 wide x 17 deep x 14 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage condition...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller George Nelson Style Coffee Cocktail Table Bench
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller George Nelson slat style brass and ebony coffee table or slat bench. Clean and sweet side or coffee cocktail table with a slat top and Formica side serving side.
Part of our enormous collection of custom black and white lacquered home furnishings...
Category
Vintage 1960s Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass
H 13.63 in W 48 in D 17 in
Pedestal Side Coffee 5452 Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
The famous coffee table designed by George Nelson in 1960 for Herman Miller. White pedestal base, white tabletop. Signed!
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Pedestals
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Bench Cocktail Table Style of George Nelson Solid Beech 1950s
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mid-century slatted bench, cocktail table from the mid-1950s. Faintly stamped Yugoslavia on the underside - too faint to be photographed. Created out of a hardwood, beech, this piece...
Category
Vintage 1950s Macedonian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Beech
H 16.75 in W 60.25 in D 17 in
George Nelson Long Slat Bench Black Finish Herman Miller Mid-Century Modern 1950
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Miami, FL
Original George Nelson early long slat bench in ebonized Birch Wood designed in the 1950s and manufactured by Herman Miller.
Great for a Hallway Bench where Kids can change Shoes an...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood, Birch
H 14 in W 102.38 in D 18.5 in
Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench Maple Blonde
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful mid century George Nelson Herman Miller slatted bench with Amazing Patina. This bench is 72.25" Long Slatted coffee table or bench. Blonde bench...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Maple, Lacquer
H 14.25 in W 72.25 in D 18.625 in
Vintage 1940s George Nelson Side Chair for Herman Miller Model 4671
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in San Francisco, CA
Offered here is a vintage George Nelson side chair For Herman Miller it's a Model 4671, first designed in 1948.
Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller Pedestal Dining Table Desk, 1960
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Vienna, AT
Unusual original dining or desk table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, mid century
Dimensions are 72.04" x 40.15" x 28.15" (height)
This dining table was designed by George Nels...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Previously Available Items
George Nelson Slat Bench Coffee Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A platform slat bench or coffee table with a premavera toned wood top and satin black legs. A classic and well crafted piece by iconic designer George Nelson and manufactured by the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Iconic George Nelson #4691 Vintage Slat Bench for Herman Miller Uncommon 68"
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in St. Louis, MO
A true Mid-Century Modern classic, this timeless c. 1960s model #4691 slat bench designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller has that sought after warm patina to the maple slats on e...
Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Maple
H 13.95 in W 68.19 in D 18.44 in
Maple Top Platform Bench or Coffee Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
An icon of mid-century modernism, the Nelson Platform Bench with ebonized wood base offers utility and beauty. It can serve as a seat or a table, with units able to be ganged togethe...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood, Maple, Paint
H 14.5 in W 60 in D 18.5 in
Early Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller, Not a Reissue
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Early primavera finish slat platform bench designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This is a 1950s original and not the later reissue. Beautiful patina. Show some signs of use in the form of small dents and scratches but nothing that distracts from the beauty of this sixty year old icon...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Slat Bench
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Antonio, TX
Mid-Century Modern natural maple platform slat bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This platform bench with finger-jointed wood base - remains as relevant today as it was in 19...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid-Century Slat Bench
By George Nelson
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller mid-century slat bench.
This bench measures: 48 wide x 18.5 deep x 14 inches high.
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored v...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
George Nelson Platform Bench
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
George Nelson platform bench for Herman Miller, Michigan. Bench measures 72.5" wide, 18.5" deep and 14" high. Bench has been professional...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
George Nelson Platform Bench
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
George Nelson platform bench for Herman Miller, Zealand Michigan. Bench retains the original label and measures 56.5" wide, 18.5" deep and...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Early Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller, Not a Reissue
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Early primavera finish slat platform bench designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This is a 1950s original and not the later reissue. Beautiful patina. Show some signs of use in the form of small dents and scratches but nothing that distracts from the beauty of this sixty year old icon...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Wood
Early George Nelson Platform Bench for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Littleton, CO
An early classic slatted platform bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
Original foil label and factory finish, circa 1947-1956. Some minor wear - see photos. We have not att...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Maple
Vitra by George Nelson Platform Bench
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in London, GB
Originally designed by George Nelson in 1946, the Nelson Bench is a fantastic example of modern design.
Reflecting Nelson’s architectural background, the bench combines the sleek ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Benches
Materials
Ash
Rare Longer George Nelson Slat Platform Bench for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A special ordered rare longer sized George Nelson designed platform slat bench with primavera birch wood slated top sitting on three ebonized toned legs . The perfect piece for a hou...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Materials
Birch
More George Nelson Designs
Thin Edge Group
Average Price
$9,954
Number Available
20
Thin Edge Group
Materials
Wood, Metal, Rosewood, Aluminum
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Coconut Lounge Chair
Average Price
$4,121
Number Available
9
Coconut Lounge Chair
Materials
Metal, Animal Skin, Fiberglass, Leather, Plastic, Steel
Styles
Mid Century Modern
George Nelson (1908–86) attributed many of his design breakthroughs to creative “zaps.” He described such moments as “when the solitary individual finds he is connected with a reality he never dreamed of.” The Coconut lounge chair can certainly be traced back to one such “zap.”The inspiration for the piece — which evolved from an idea presented by George Mulhauser, a designer who worked at Nelson’s Manhattan studio, George Nelson Associates, Inc., and is now credited with the concept — was as...
Basic Cabinet Series
Average Price
$4,120
Number Available
5
Basic Cabinet Series
Materials
Wood, Metal, Walnut, Aluminum
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Platform Bench
Average Price
$2,617
Number Available
5
Platform Bench
Materials
Wood, Maple
Styles
Mid Century Modern
With its clean lines, sculptural shape and use of organic materials, George Nelson’s Platform bench reflected the American designer’s background in architecture and embodied modernist design. The bench, critical to the Basic Cabinet series he created for Michigan manufacturer Herman Miller — his first collection for the maker — demonstrates Nelson’s enthusiasm for honest, pared-down design.
Nelson (1908–86) grew up in Connecticut and studied architecture at Yale University. While on a post-g...