George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet with Marble Top
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful steel frame cabinet designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
Vintage 1950s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal
George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet with Marble Top
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful steel frame cabinet designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
Metal
George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet Model 4036 For Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This compact Mid-Century Modern Steel Frame credenza cabinet 'model 4036' was designed by American designer George Nelson circa 1955 and produced by Herman Miller.
Steel, Chrome
$11,000 / set
H 24 in W 67 in D 17.25 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller Custom for Hugh DuPree Steel Frame Cabinets 1960
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Custom for Hugh DuPree Steel Frame Cabinets Orange and Yellow 1960 Application: Designed for wall-mounted installation. with separation between cases ...
Steel, Chrome
$6,600 / set
H 28.5 in W 33.5 in D 17 in
Pair Of Steel Frame Dressers By George Nelson For Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The original manufacturer's mark remains intact. The third Steel Frame cabinet shown is listed separately.
Steel, Chrome
$7,500
H 29 in W 42 in D 17 in
Yellow & Black Steel Frame Desk Model 4111 by George Nelson Herman Miller Mint
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Yellow & black steel frame desk Model 4111 by George Nelson Herman Miller Mint.
Steel
$1,436Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 30 in D 18 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern 3 Drawer Dresser Steel Framed George Nelson in Style
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern 3 Drawer Dresser Steel Framed George Nelson in Style of. Dimensions. 30 W ; 18 D ; 30 H.
Steel
Pair of George Nelson Steel Frame Dressers
By George Nelson
Located in Turners Falls, MA
Pair of George Nelson steel frame dressers. Natural wood walnut drawers fronts. Matte dark grey/green painted sides. White laminate top.
Metal
George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
George Nelson steel frame cabinet. One walnut front drawer on top and 2 Yellow Sliding doors.
Iron
George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinets for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
First year production George Nelson Steel Frame Case series cabinet. Sky blue sides and facade available with either the white steel frame/black linoleum top configuration or the b...
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Highland, IN
The steel frame group designed by George Nelson was created as one of three lines of case goods for Herman Miller which also included the rosewood group and the basic cabinet series.
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modern George Nelson cabinet. Features one top drawer and a bottom sliding door cabinet. In original condition.
Metal
Four George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinets with Marble Tops
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful set of four steel frame cabinets designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
Marble, Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Chest
By George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame Case with one drawer and sliding doors. model 4031
George Nelson Steel Frame Desk
By George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Nelson for Herman Miler, Custom Larger Desk, these were designed for Herman Miller Executive and this larger size never went into production. Classic Nelson Oval pulls, laminate top.
Chrome
George Nelson Steel Frame Chest
By George Nelson
Located in San Francisco, CA
George Nelson design for Herman Miller chest of drawers, completely restored.
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Desk
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame Desk George Nelson & Associates Steelframe desk, model 4173 Applied sticker manufacturer's label to underside Herman Miller Zeeland Michigan
Steel, Aluminum
Sold
H 29.53 in W 33.47 in D 17.52 in
Two 1950s Steel Frame Orange and Lemon Cabinets by George Nelson
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A pair of vibrant 1950s "Steel Frame" cabinets by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Nightstand, Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Raleigh, NC
A mid century modern classic, George Nelson Steel Frame night stand. This piece retains the original glass and hardware with original paint to the frame. The drawer face is newly p...
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Desk for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A satin black steel framed desk with okra yellow toned drawer fronts and olive colored sides and backs of drawers . Detailed chrome oval pulls and having a white Laminate desk top gi...
Steel, Chrome
George Nelson Steel Frame Desk
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Nelson for Herman Miler, Custom Larger Desk, these were designed for Herman Miller Executive and this larger size never went into production. Classic Nelson Oval pulls, laminate top.
Chrome
George Nelson Steel frame case dressers and desk set.
By George Nelson
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in the early 1950s, this hard to find set of matching dresser, cabinet and desk exemplify Nelson's minimalist brand of modernism.
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Dresser Chest for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A steel framed dresser chest with off white frame , blue fronted wooden drawers having the sides and back painted in contrasting olive green . The oval chrome metal pulls and satin ...
Steel, Chrome
Set Of 3 George Nelson Steel Frame Dressers
By George Nelson
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Set of 3 of Steel Frame dressers designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller circa 1950's. Walnut fronts,green painted sides and black tops signed with foil labels.
Metal
George Nelson Steel Frame Chest
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame 3 Drawer Dresser model 4014
George Nelson Steel Frame Chest
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame 3 Drawer Dresser model 4014
George Nelson Steel Frame Dresser for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a rare Mid-Century Modern dresser / chest of drawers designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This a particularly early example, dating back to the 1950s. It has three ex...
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame 3-Drawer Dresser for Herman Miller, 1950s
By George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson steel frame 3-drawer dresser for Herman Miller, circa 1950s. This dresser front has 3 natural finished drawers. The original casing around the dresser is in a turquoise...
Steel
Sold
H 30 in W 33.5 in D 16.75 in
George Nelson Sliding Doors Steel Frame Dresser for Herman Miller, 1950s
By George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson steel frame dresser for Herman Miller, circa 1950s. This dresser front has a natural finish top drawer and painted cream white sliding doors below. The original casing ...
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Chest of Drawers, Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Raleigh, NC
An all original George Nelson small dresser. In good vintage condition with sign of age and use. Minor chipping of painted drawer fronts, loss of paint, oxidation to frame. Herma...
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Dresser in Blue and Grey
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Diego, CA
3 drawer Herman Miller dresser in white, gray and blue with a white laminate top. This is a sold dresser designed by George Nelson Associates for Herman Miller dating back to the 1...
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Dresser for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson steel frame dresser. Walnut drawers fronts, Matte dark grey or green painted sides, and white laminate top.
Metal
Vintage Steel Frame Dresser by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century three drawer dresser designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, circa 1950s. A unique and hard to find piece. Steel frame and steel legs are black and beautifully contr...
Metal, Steel
Pair of George Nelson Steel Frame Chests by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Highland, IN
The Nelson office designed three lines of case goods for Herman Miller in the 1950s. Probably the most progressive and certainly the most playful was the steel frame group. The desig...
Steel
Pair of George Nelson Steel Frame Dressers with Marble Tops
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful pair of steel frame cabinets designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
Metal
Sold
H 29 in W 33.5 in D 17.5 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame Bachelor Chests or Dressers
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Wilmington, DE
These dressers were designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. They each have three drawers with chrome pulls, steel bases, and laminate tops.
Steel, Chrome
George Nelson 1950's Steel Frame Desk for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Culver City, CA
Gorgeous rare George Nelson steel frame desk by Herman Miller with red painted drawer fronts and chartreuse side piece. Simple, classic and stunning design! The desk has some fad...
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame Dressers
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in New Windsor, NY
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller steel frame and laminate dressers. Three deep drawers with white steel frames and a "sage" finish. Both dressers are signed, one with the roun...
Steel
Pair of 'Steel Frame' Dressers by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Pair of dressers by George Nelson as part of the Steel Frame line for Herman Miller. They feature external frames of blackened steel, three walnut front drawers, chromed pulls and wh...
Sold
H 29.5 in W 33.5 in D 18.5 in
George Nelson & Associates Steel Frame Chests for Herman Miller, circa 1955
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
George Nelson & Associates steel frame chests model 4014 for Herman Miller, circa 1955. The listed price is for the pair.
Chrome, Steel
George Nelson steel frame chest
Located in Westport, CT
George Nelson chest
George Nelson Steel Frame Nightstands for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson steel frame one drawer cabinet in original condition with minor wear.
Metal
Mid-Century George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid-Century George Nelson steel frame cabinet for Herman Miller. Highly desirable design that is both compact and lightweight.
Metal
George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Highland, IN
The steel frame group designed by George Nelson was created as an economical line of case goods and an alternative to the rosewood group and the basic cabinet series.
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson steel frame one drawer cabinet in original condition with minor wear.
Metal
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Steel Frame Dresser
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modern George Nelson steel frame cabinet for Herman Miller. Features three drawers with plain front and painted sides.
Metal
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Steel Frame Dresser
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modern George Nelson steel frame cabinet for Herman Miller. Features three drawers with plain birch front and painted sides.
Metal
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Steel Frame Dresser
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modern George Nelson steel frame cabinet for Herman Miller. Features three drawers with a black front and painted sides.
Metal
George Nelson Steel Frame Case
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Nelson for Herman Miller Steel frame Cabinet-Pill-out drawer with dividers and lower open display section.
Metal
Steel Frame Nightstand by George Nelson
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A colorful nightstand with a black steel frame supporting three green lacquered drawers capped with a white laminate top.
Steel
George Nelson 4111 Steel Frame Desk for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Round Rock, TX
Outstanding "Steel Frame" desk (model 4111) designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller circa 1960s. Compact in scale, these desks are designed to integrate nicely into smaller space...
Steel
Pair of George Nelson Steel Frame Dressers
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Nelson steel frame cases, solid oval rings as pulls with wooden drawers tongue and grove joinery, painted blue fronts, original white steel frames.
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Chest for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: George Nelson. Manufacturer: Herman Miller. Period and model: Mid-Century Modern. Specs: Enameled metal, glass, walnut. Condition: This George Nelson steel fram...
Steel
Midcentury Steel Frame Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
One of our favorites, the George Nelson designed steel frame series is both practical and beautiful.
Steel
Sold
H 29.25 in W 33.5 in D 17.25 in
1960s George Nelson Steel Frame Dresser Commode for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Miami, FL
Quite nice steel frame dresser by George Nelson for Herman Miller consisting of a white mica top and three drawers with black painted fronts and Royal blue painted sides and back tha...
Steel
George Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame Desk and Dresser
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame Desk and Dresser, Model 4112 Desk and Model 4014 Dresser, Angled Steel White Frames with Walnut drawer fronts Green-painted sides with chr...
Steel
Vintage George Nelson Steel Frame Desk for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern steel frame office desk designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This original two-toned piece includes three drawers encased in a black steel frame accessoriz...
Metal
1950s Steel Frame Case Series Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An original steel frame desk designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller from 1954-1966. Comprises an exoskeleton frame in bent and enameled iron, a bank of three drawers...
Chrome, Iron
Sold
H 37 in W 33.5 in D 18.5 in
Rare George Nelson Walnut Steel Frame Dressers Special Order 4-Drawer Highboys
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Four-drawer tallboy dresser, pair. Each marked with Herman Miller medallions inside top drawers.
Steel
Sold
H 30 in W 33.5 in D 17.5 in
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Three-Drawer Steel Frame Chests
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an iconic pair of mid century modern chests designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Black frame, yellow drawer fronts and dark green sides and backs. Sturdy and in ver...
Sold
H 29.75 in W 33.5 in D 17.5 in
George Nelson Herman Miller Mid-century Modern Steel Frame Chests of Drawers
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Miami, FL
George Nelson Herman Miller Mid-century Modern Steel Frame Chests of Drawers Offered for sale is a pair of circa 1950's mid-century modern three-drawer chests from the steel frame ...
Chrome, Steel
1960s George Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame Desk Model 4111
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s George Nelson for Herman Miller steel frame desk, model 4111.
Steel
Pair of George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinets for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
Pair of George Nelson steel frame cabinets for Herman Miller. In great condition both have circle medallion.
Steel
George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet
By George Nelson
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Three pea green drawers on angle iron frame with white laminated top. Designed for Herman Miller, retains label, excellent original condition.
$30,000
H 24.25 in W 78.5 in D 9.25 in
Clairtone Project G2 Series T11 Console Stereo System & Garrard Turntable
By Clairtone
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
On offer is a rare completely original Clairtone G2 Series Home Stereo System from 1966 featuring two distinct exotic wooden boxes one that houses the tuner and the turntable both pr...
Aluminum
Mamun Bedside (Dark Brown/Dusty Blue)
Located in Singapore, SG
Mamun, which translates to trustworthy in Arabic, was designed by Studio Kallang in 2021 as a playful take on both midcentury and brutalist forms. Designer Faezah Shaharuddin intende...
Teak
$11,960Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 33.08 in W 115.36 in D 61.82 in
1950's Style Curved Velvet Sofa in Custom Velvet Colors
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The Sofa inspires itself nature where green is the predominant element and where valleys and hills prevail. The item’s details allow it to be the perfect statement piece for any cont...
Velvet, Walnut
$696 / item
H 7.4 in W 1.8 in D 7.7 in
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' Table Lamp in Green for Stilnovo
By Gae Aulenti, Stilnovo
Located in Glendale, CA
Gae Aulenti & Piero Castiglioni 'Minibox' table lamp in green for Stilnovo Founded in 1946 in Milan, Stilnovo was one of the most innovative lighting companies in Italy during the M...
Metal
$1,724 / item
H 15.75 in Dm 43.31 in
Contemporary Art Deco Mint green and Red powder coated Carousel 5 arms pendant
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Carousel suspension lamp has a delicate balance of form and function that produces a quiet, modern light ambiance for all to savour, with its Contemporary Art Deco lines. The struct...
Metal
$3,600
H 26.25 in W 75.5 in D 33 in
Vintage Sage Mohair Daybed with Hairpin Legs by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic hairpin/v-leg daybed/settee by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Early example (ca. 1950) with a metal spring and maple frame construction, this version designed without back ...
Metal
$1,960Sale Price|30% Off
H 48 in W 35 in D 19 in
Mid century Danish modern low teak wardrobe dresser armoire
By G Plan Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern teak low wardrobe cabinet closet. Has 2 front doors with 3 drawers. Left side is open with hang bar for clothing. Has teak craved handles on front. Lighter wood gr...
Teak
American Designer, Sectional Sofa, Rattan, Velvet, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A rattan and yellow velvet sectional sofa designed and produced in the US, c. 1970s. Dimensions: 25.25” H x 98” W x 98” D Seat Height: 17”
Velvet, Rattan
$5,196Sale Price|20% Off
H 45.5 in W 39.5 in D 18.75 in
Large Raymond Loewy Inspired Yellow Chapter One Gentlemans Chest Armoire
By Ettore Sottsass, Raymond Loewy, Broyhill
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This model is nearly impossible to find. Moreover, yellow is the most sought after option. Combined with the fact that we've restored this piece to outstanding condition, we're cer...
Plastic, Hardwood
Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set in Cognac Leatherette
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, leatherette, mirrored glass, plastic, brass, lacquered wood, metal, Italy, 1968 Outstanding Italian dressing table designe...
Metal, Brass
$16,700
H 31.11 in W 102.37 in D 31.5 in
Adrian Pearsall Platform Sofa in Walnut and Pastel Pink Upholstery
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall, 'Platform' sofa with two drawers, fabric, walnut, United States, 1960s Adrian Pearsall is known for his rather unique sofa designs. The present model is no exceptio...
Fabric, Walnut
Petite Classic Knoll Credenza in Walnut and Cream Ca' 1950's
By Florence Knoll
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Classic Florence Knoll for Knoll petite scale (36"W) credenza. Walnut with nice rich patina, cream colored, original fronts and leather tabs. Vintage circa 1950s with original Knol...
Wood
Pair of unique vintage armchairs
Located in Haaltert, BE
Pair of armchairs with a pine structure, seat and back made up of five modular cylindrical cushions. New upholstering. Netherlands around 1950-1960. Not attributed , maybe prototypes...
Pine
$3,250
H 40 in W 40 in D 18.5 in
1950 George Nelson Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series Two Door Cabinet in Walnut
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a two-door cabinet designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller circa 1950. This is a gorgeous original example, which appears remarkably intact. As not...
Brass
George Nelson Herman Miller Miniature Chest # 5215
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Unusual version of the George Nelson miniature/jewelry chest #5215. This one features the white formica on the bottom of the case not the top as is more typical. Teak wood constructi...
Walnut
$18,500
H 95.5 in W 129.25 in D 18.5 in
Comprehensive Storage System by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production 'CSS" - Comprehensive Storage System designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1959. This system is in excellent condition with the early Herman Miller lable cons...
Aluminum
Architect, designer, and writer George Nelson was a central figure in the mid-century American modernist design movement; and his thoughts influenced not only the furniture we live with, but also how we live.
Nelson came to design via journalism and literature. Upon receiving his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Yale in 1931, he won the Prix de Rome fellowship, and spent his time in Europe writing magazine articles that helped bring stateside recognition to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Gio Ponti, Le Corbusier and other canonical modernist architects.
In the 1940s, Nelson wrote texts that suggested such now-commonplace ideas as open-plan houses, storage walls and family rooms. D.J. De Pree, the owner of the furniture maker Herman Miller, was so impressed by Nelson that in 1944 — following the sudden death of Gilbert Rohde, who had introduced the firm to modern design in the 1930s — he invited Nelson to join the company as its design director. There Nelson’s curatorial design talents came to the fore.
To Herman Miller he brought such eminent creators as Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, and the textile and furniture designer Alexander Girard. Thanks to a clever contract, at the same time as he directed Herman Miller he formed a New York design company, George Nelson & Associates, that sold furniture designs to the Michigan firm. Nelson's studio also sold designs for clocks to the Howard Miller Clock Company, a manufacturer that was initially part of Herman Miller before it became an offshoot that was helmed by Howard Miller, D.J. De Pree's brother-in-law.
Nelson’s New York team of designers (who were rarely individually credited) would create such iconic pieces as the Marshmallow sofa, the Coconut chair, the Ball clock, the Bubble lamp series and the many cabinets and beds that comprise the sleek Thin-Edge line.
For dedicated collectors, as well as for interior designers who look beyond “the look,” there is a “cool factor” inherent to vintage pieces from George Nelson and others. Nelson was in on it from the start, and it’s valuable to have a piece that was there with him.
But still, as is evident from the offerings from dealers on 1stDibs, in any of the designs, in any iteration whose manufacture Nelson oversaw and encouraged, there are shining elements of lightness, elegance, sophistication — and a little bit of swagger. George Nelson felt confident in his ideas about design and didn’t mind letting the world know.
Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.
Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.