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.
Midcentury George Nelson Omni Herman Miller Modular Shelving System Walnut 1950s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This is a rare American ‘Omni’ modular freestanding shelving system in walnut and aluminium, designed by George Nelson in 1952 and manufactured by Herman Miller, America. The shelvi...
Metal, Aluminum
Comprehensive Storage System by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS Wall Unit, 1950
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS Wall Unit, 1950’s. Unit is Walnut and made in Zeeland, Michigan. Measures 96” wide 19.5” deep 63” tall 2 Bottom ...
Walnut
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Omni Wall Unit - 4 Bay
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller mid-century walnut omni wall unit - 4 bay This wall unit measures: 129.5 wide x 18 deep x 95 inches high. All piec...
Metal
George Nelson & Associates Custom CSS by Herman Miller, USA, 1959
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful George Nelson & Associates custom CSS (Comprehensive Shelving System) for Herman Miller USA, 1959 Custom ordered directly from the factory with mail slots and four dra...
Aluminum
George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in San Mateo, CA
Double pedestal desk by Herman Miller. This desk was probably a custom order. There are three wide drawers and three small drawers. The top small drawer has a sliding pencil...
Chrome
$8,865 / set
H 120.87 in W 79.53 in D 12.8 in
Large 1950s Italian Mid Century Teak Maple Freestanding Shelving System 18 Piece
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
Recently imported from Italy, this is a good example of post war Italian Avant Garde design. Measuring an impressive 3-metres from floor to ceiling – a common height in Italian apartments – with opportunity to arrange the shelves to suit. This impressive freestanding storage...
Brass
$11,126
H 24.02 in W 48.04 in D 6.7 in
Rare Art Nouveau Wall Shelf by Eugene Gaillard France 1900 Jugendstil Walnut
By Eugène Gaillard
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite & most rare! This French Art Nouveau wall shelf designed by art nouveau grandmaster Eugene Gaillard circa 1900. Superb organic design...
Fruitwood, Walnut
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 57 in D 18 in
Mid century birch dresser credenza by George Nelson Herman miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century George Nelson for Herman Miller Primavera dresser or credenza. Has left side cabinet door and Four drawers with curved nickel metal pulls. Has drawer dividers and left si...
Nickel
$6,250
H 108 in W 105 in D 17 in
George Nelson Omni-Style Modular Wall Unit in Walnut with Black Metal Frame
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Striking mid-century modern wall unit in the style of George Nelson, featuring a versatile modular shelving system with warm walnut cabinetry and a distinctive black metal framework....
Aluminum
$2,330
H 28.5 in W 33.5 in D 17 in
Steel Frame Dresser By George Nelson For Herman Miller / Classic Modernist
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modern Steel Frame dresser 'model 4016' were designed by American designer George Nelson circa 1955 and produced by Herman Miller. white laminate tops that were ...
Metal, Chrome
$3,750
H 29.75 in W 34 in D 18 in
George Nelson 4 drawer Dresser "Basic Cabinet Series" for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Diego, CA
Designed by legendary American modernist George Nelson for Herman Miller, this authentic four-drawer dresser from the celebrated Basic Cabinet Series embodies the clean, architectura...
Aluminum
Sold|$5,995
H 72 in W 97.5 in D 16.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Modular Walnut Wall Unit by Noral Olson for Kopenhavn
By Noral Olson
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century modern modular walnut wall unit designed by Noral Olson for Kopenhavn in the United States during the 1950s. A remarkable example of American craftsmanship influenced by ...
Metal
$3,222
H 78.75 in W 64.57 in D 13 in
Poul Cadovius Freestanding Modular Wall Unit System for Royal System, 1960s
By Poul Cadovius, Royal System
Located in The Hague, NL
Original freestanding wall unit designed by Poul Cadovius, model Royal, in the 1960s for Royal System, Denmark. Freestanding wall unit consists 3 black metal uprights, one cabinet an...
Metal
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
H 95 in W 65 in D 16 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller Two-Bay Omni Wall Unit System
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A handsome and highly versatile two-bay Omni modular wall system designed by George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller, circa 1960s–1970s. The Omni system is one of Nelson’s most...
Aluminum
$3,250
H 29 in W 18.5 in D 34 in
1950s George Nelson Herman Miller Primavera Two Tone Four Drawer Dresser Cabinet
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a George Nelson for Herman Miller 2-tone dresser with 4 drawers. This example has a matching 4-drawer, 1-door dresser/credenz...
Metal
$575
H 14 in W 30.75 in D 18 in
George Nelson - Omni System - Shelving or Wall Unit Walnut Cabinet Only - Parts
By George Nelson
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern 1960s George Nelson designed for Omni Systems, this is part for a wall unit, Two Drawer File Cabinet in oiled walnut, no hardware. I nee...
Walnut
George Nelson Wall Unit
By George Nelson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nelson for Herman Miller, 'Comprehensive Storage System (CSS)' wall unit, steel and aluminum, walnut, United States, 1960s This storage system is designed by Nelson in the ...
Aluminum, Steel
George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS Walnut Wall Unit
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nelson for Herman Miller, 'Comprehensive Storage System (CSS)' wall unit, steel and aluminum, walnut, enameled masonite, laminate, United States, 1960s This storage system is...
Steel
Sold
H 98.04 in W 95.52 in D 13.27 in
Tension Pole Free Standing Rose Gold Aluminum Omni Wall Unit by George Nelson
By Omnibus Design, George Nelson
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This George Nelson “Omni” Modular Wall Unit reimagines an icon of American modernism in bespoke rose-gold aluminum, transforming a celebrated shelving system into a work of architectural art. Designed for Herman Miller’s Omni...
Metal, Aluminum
Sold
H 100 in W 65 in D 22 in
Vintage George Nelson Comprehensive Storage System Circa 1960s w/Record Cabinet
By George Nelson
Located in Emeryville, CA
Herman Miller introduced George Nelson’s Comprehensive Storage System (CSS) in 1959 and produced it until 1973. Available in a variety of ...
Metal
Sold
H 96 in W 98 in D 18 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller 4 Bay OMNI System Wall Shelving Unit Cabinets
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A George Nelson for Herman Miller Omni system 4 bay wall unit. This massive, magnificent wall unit is an icon of the mid century modern home and off...
Metal
Sold
H 95 in W 95.5 in D 13.25 in
Tension Pole Free Standing Emerald Gold Aluminum Omni Wall Unit by George Nelson
By George Nelson, Omnibus Design
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This Omni shelving system by George Nelson redefines modular display with architectural finesse and mid-century innovation. The shelving unit is supported by slender, spring-loaded t...
Aluminum, Metal
Vintage 3 bay Omni Wall Unit by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful 3 bay Omni wall unit by goerge nelson. walnut with floor to ceiling aluminum uprights.
Aluminum
Sold
H 100 in W 64 in D 14.5 in
George Nelson CSS Book Shelf Wall Unit with Desk Herman Miller Circa 1955
By George Nelson
Located in Emeryville, CA
Herman Miller introduced George Nelson’s Comprehensive Storage System (CSS) in 1959 and produced it until 1973. Available in various wood f...
Aluminum, Steel
Sold
H 90 in W 76.75 in D 13.75 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller 3 Bay Omni System Mid Century Shelving Wall Unit
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An Omni system wall unit by George Nelson for Herman Miller. A gorgeous mid century modern wall unit featuring sleek, brushed aluminum framing, and walnut ...
Wood
Vintage George Nelson 3 Bay Walnut Omni Wall Unit
By Structural Products Inc., George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful walnut and aluminum ceiling to floor Omni wall unit by George Nelson. features walnut faced aluminum uprights with one light, tambour cabinet, sliding door cabinet, desk ...
Aluminum
Rare 3 bay wall unit Georges Nelson CSS Shelf Palisander
By George Nelson
Located in London, GB
Georges Nelson Css shelving unit in Palissander Inc 6 shelfs ( 3 wide 3 narrow) 1 desk, 1 glass cabinet, 1 double door Signed ...
Bamboo
Sold
H 95 in W 129.25 in D 18.5 in
Outstanding Early George Nelson C S S, , 4-Bay Wall System, Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Outstanding and Early George Nelson C S S (comprehensive storage system) ,,manufactured by Herman Miller..4 bAYS consisting of 10 Shelves,...
Aluminum, Steel