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.
Executive seating group by George Nelson seating for Herman Miller, 1956
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
A complete modular seating group by George Nelson. Four pieces in total. One three-seater with an integrated coffee table. Two two-seaters. One single lounge element. Designed as par...
Aluminum
George Nelson, Modular Sofa and Table Seating System, 1966 for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Munster, NRW
George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s, United States. Very fine Modular §seater sofa by George Nelson (1908-1986) for Herman Miller. This sofa has a metal frame with square chro...
Steel, Chrome
George Nelson Vanity Stool Model 4672 for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Hanover, MA
George Nelson vanity bench stool model N° 4672 for Herman Miller, designed 1946. Aluminum rods, foam, original fabric covering. Original Herman Miller label present. Produced by Herman Miller from 1946 to 1956. One owner. Cushion dimensions ~3 inches high by 19 inches wide by 15 inches deep.
Aluminum
3 Piece Modular Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Preview, 1988
By Preview, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
3 Piece Modular sectional sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Preview, 1988. Original white fabric is in good condition. There is a spot on one cushi...
Fabric
$19,500 / set
H 23.63 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Modular Sofa for B&B Italia, Laguna Velvet, 1970
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, Laguna velvet, metal and plastic, Italy, 1970, set of four. "Camaleonda" is an icon, redis...
Velvet, Plastic
George Nelson for Herman Miller Sling Sofa, Model 6832 (1963)
By George Nelson
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
A striking example of mid-century modern design, this Model 6832 Sling Sofa was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1963. Featuring black leather cushions suspended withi...
Chrome
George Nelson for Herman Miller Blue Velour and Chrome Daybed
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century daybed with a royal blue velour upholstered rectangular bed with two matching bolster pillows resting on a chrome frame with a central...
Metal, Chrome
Modular Sofa and Ottomans for Cassina
By Cassina
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Fully upholstered modular seating system with slab sides, tight seats, and ‘saddle bag’ style back and end cushions. Labeled Cassina under the seats on its metal frame as well as lab...
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller Marshmallow Sofa in White Leather
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful design by George Nelson for Herman Miller this marshmallow sofa is a sculptural icon. The sofa is done in white leather and bears the Herman Miller tag on the back. The s...
Steel
George Nelson Platform Bench by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Highland, IN
Introduced in 1946, the slat platform bench was one of Nelson's first designs for Herman Miller after becoming their design director. Intended to serve as a table, a seat, or a base ...
Maple
$4,062Sale Price|35% Off
H 31 in W 52 in D 31 in
Limited Edition Multicolor George Nelson For Herman Miller Marshmallow Sofa
By Herman Miller, George Nelson, Irving Harper
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
George Nelson Office – Limited Edition Marshmallow Sofa Designed by Irving Harper for the George Nelson office, this multicolored Marshmallow Sofa is a limited edition piece manufact...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
$2,843
H 27 in W 27 in D 32 in
An Original Herman Miller Modular Seating In Blue Wool by Don Chadwick 1970s USA
By Herman Miller, Don Chadwick
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Original Don Chadwick for Herman Miller Chadwick Modular Seating Comprising of Four Separate Modular Seating Chairs In Original Cornflower ...
Wool, Foam
MCM Leather Perch Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern leather perch stool or chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Versatile chair with adjustable hand-stitched leather seat hav...
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Offered here is a rare and highly collectible “Model 0693” Sofa, designed by George Nelson as part of his visionary Modular Seating System for Herman Miller, produced between 1956 an...
Metal
George Nelson Steelframe L Sofa for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Sleek minimalist modular seating system designed by George Nelson Associates in the early 1950s. Featuring two benches, five seating units and two table modules, this system is compl...
Steel
Sold
H 28 in W 136 in D 30 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller Modular Steel Frame 2-Piece Seating & Table 60s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A sleek and minimal modular steel frame 2-piece seating system and tables by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Circa 1960s. Sleek and functional design with built in laminate white ta...
Fabric
Sold
H 26.5 in W 89 in D 120 in
George Nelson Modular Seating System Sectional in A.Girard Checker Fabric
By George Nelson
Located in Seattle, WA
Nelson’s studio “George Nelson & Associates” produced countless designs that were ahead of their time, including the Nelson Modular Seating System from which we have this three piece sectional set. The system was gorgeous line of products that Herman Miller produced between 1956-1978. The wide array of Nelson’s Modular System can be found in all shapes and sizes to this day. Sofas, loveseats, chairs, armless seating, end tables and more; it was meant to fulfill the needs of any space large or small. This rare oversized sectional...
Steel
Sold
H 33.86 in W 53.15 in D 29.14 in
George Nelson Brown Orange and Steel Marshmallow Sofa, 1980s, Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Valladolid, ES
Stunning and funny Marshmallow sofa by George Nelson and made by Norman Miller. In steel structure and brown and orange color leatherette cushions. In ...
Steel
George Nelson for Herman Miller Modular Sofa
By George Nelson
Located in Doylestown, PA
A George Nelson steel frame modular sofa in 2 sections with lift out folding seat frames and cushions allowing for reconfiguration, upholstered in light celedon fabric with original ...
Steel
Sold
H 27.96 in W 106.3 in L 27.96 in
Two Modular Sofas with Table and Drawers by George Nelson for Herman Miller, US
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, DE
Two bases, six seats in total, a square table and a two-drawer element. All pieces can be placed modular - the name says it all. Newly upholstered in grey Hallingdal fabric by Kvadra...
Chrome
Sold
H 27 in W 104 in D 30 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller 2-Pc Sectional Sofa with Tables Living Room Set
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant and iconic midcentury signed living room set designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. It features original banana yellow vinyl upholstery which is ultra rare and coveted...
Steel
George Nelson Sectional Sofa in Dark Leather for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-Century Modern Mad Men style modular system sofa designed by US George Nelson in the 1950s for Herman Miller. Dark brown leather seating of the best possible quality is used,...
George Nelson for Herman Miller Modular Sectional Sofa
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Culver City, CA
A stunning, iconic piece of Mid-Century Modern design, a George Nelson for Herman Miller sectional sofa! The sofa is in good vintage condition ...
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller Sofa and Loveseat Alexander Girard
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in New Windsor, NY
George Nelson for Herman Miller sofa and loveseat upholstered in Alexander Girard black and white plaid fabric. Aluminum dowel legs wi...
Aluminum
George Nelson for Herman Miller 3-Piece Modular Sectional Sofa Couch
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Completely restored in black velour fabric. This 3-piece modular sectional sofa allows for a wide range of possible arrangements. Break up the sections to create a diverse living room group or line up in a row to create one massive sofa...
Aluminum
Sold
H 26.38 in W 96.46 in D 29.93 in
George Nelson Loose Cushion Four-Seat Leather Sofa, 1962 by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Munster, NRW
Rare four-seat loose cushion sofa by George Nelson. Black leather, large four-seat, freestanding, nice vintage condition with fantastic patina. Leather cushions with down filling.
Leather