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.
Mid-Century Style Pedestal End Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautifulmid century modern pedestal table by Herman Miller can be used as a coffee or end table, and features the sleek and simple design of mid-century designer George Nelson....
Metal
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
George Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame Occasional Table on Wheels (1955)
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame Occasional Table on Wheels (1955) Frame: Black or white enamel with minor chips and scratches (consistent with age/use) Surfaces: Oiled wa...
Metal
Pair of Night Stands by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of two (2) Mid-Century Modern walnut end tables / nightstands designed by George Nelson with satin-chromed legs and a lateral drawer. Made by Herman Miller in the USA, circa 19...
Metal
C. 1955 George Nelson Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series Nightstand / End Table
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Nightstand / Cabinet from George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series, originally designed in 1946. This particular example was produced by Herman Miller C. 1955. This piece featu...
Aluminum
C. 1955 George Nelson Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series Nightstand / End Table
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Nightstand / Cabinet from George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series, originally designed in 1946. This particular example was produced by Herman Miller C. 1955. This piece featu...
Aluminum
George Nelson Steel Frame Group Rolling Table / Cart
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and unusual George Nelson for Herman Miller table on rollers from the Steel Frame Group, made by Herman Miller. White lamina...
Steel
George Nelson for Herman Miller White Laminate and Black Steel Rolling End / Sid
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Queens, NY
2 Pairs of American mid-century rolling end / side tables with square white laminate tops and lower shelves contained in an open cube-form black coated steel frame, resting on four s...
Metal, Steel
$1,400 / set
Herman Miller Mid-Century Tables
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of mid-century end tables by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Walnut frames with white laminate tops. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Laminate, Walnut
Pedestal Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller, Usa, 1955
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pedestal desk designed in 1955 by George Nelson for Herman Miller, USA. Teak wood top with two drawers underneath and polished aluminium bases.
Aluminum
$5,520Sale Price|20% Off
H 14 in W 102.38 in D 18.5 in
George Nelson Long Slat Bench Black Finish Herman Miller Mid-Century Modern 1950
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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...
Wood, Birch
Pair of Handcrafted English Oak & Walnut Night Stands
By SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
Architectural quartersawn English oak & American black walnut pillar end tables or nightstands. Designed and handcrafted in England using traditional furniture...
Oak, Walnut
$4,500
H 20.5 in W 24 in D 17 in
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Side Table / Nightstand on Pedestal Base
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Pedestal Occasional Table, model 5655, designed by George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller in 1956. The piece has a case of Brazilian Rosewood and has a pedestal base of white enameled aluminum. It has one drawer. The base has been professionally restored, and the rosewood case has been freshly refinished. The piece measures 17 inches deep, 24 inches wide...
Aluminum
Writing Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A single pedestal writing desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller with a built-in pivoting lamp. Lamp is 18" H.
Steel
George Nelson Pedestal Side Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A simple and elegant pedestal side table with round top having a natural thin wood trim detail to the edge and cast meat star base . The base with foot pads to protect your floors ha...
Metal
Pair of Handcrafted Night Stands, Bedside Tables
By SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
A pair of completely handcrafted walnut nightstands or end tables. Constructed from finest American black walnut with the inner dovetailed jointed drawer carcass in English oak or a...
Oak, Walnut
Herman Miller George Nelson Action Office Desk
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Pasadena, TX
Thus is a Herman Miller Desk designed by George Nelson. It's from Nelson's Action Office Series. It has 2 pull out drawers and a mid drawer. The top is wood and the legs are steel wi...
Metal, Aluminum, Steel
George Nelson for Herman Miller Pedestal/ Side Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
George Nelson for Herman Miller Pedestal Table. Aluminum Base with a formica top and maple edge. Classic, useful design! Very clean example!
Metal
$3,420 / set
H 25.5 in W 18 in D 12 in
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Art Deco Mahogany Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Art Deco or Mid-Century Modern mahogany nightstands By Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller USA, 1930s Measures: 18"W x 12"D x 25.5"H. Newly refinished. Ver...
Mahogany
George Nelson Herman Miller Side End Table
By Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
Side table with glass top, designed by George Nelson, for Herman Miller. This table has some minor wear, including a small bruise to the bottom fronts of the drawer, as shown. Origi...
Walnut, Glass
$1,575
H 13.5 in W 41.88 in D 18.88 in
George Nelson Rare Protype 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...
Wood
Pair of Early George Nelson Herman Miller Occasional Table Walnut
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An early side table by George Nelson for Herman Miller with a steel four prong base. Walnut bentwood top. This design was made for a short period in the 1950's. This table has a bea...
Walnut
Pair of George Nelson Walnut Side Tables by Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Highland, IN
This 1956 design by Ernest Farmer for the George Neslon office is a great example of their understated, clean-lined aesthetic. The form is desptively sim...
Walnut
Sold
H 19 in W 24 in D 17 in
George Nelson Herman Miller Walnut Top Ebonized Base Rectangle Side Table Mint!
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Refinished Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller walnut top ebonized base rectangle side table mint!
Walnut
George Nelson Chest or End Table or Night Stand
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined mid century modern chest, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, American. circa 1950s. This piece is a versatile size and can be used as a small chest, end table, ...
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller Steelframe Case Group Nightstands
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller steelframe case group nightstands, Model 4051 Angle iron steel Frame with wood drawer and shelf has oval chrome plated pulls.
Steel, Chrome
Pair of George Nelson Thin-Edge Nightstands for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of George Nelson thin edge nightstands for Herman Miller. Model 4700 Highly figured walnut veneer in oil rubbed finish features 2 pull...
Walnut
Sold
H 18.5 in W 24 in D 17 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Chrome and Walnut End Tables, Pair
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller mid century chrome and walnut end tables - pair Each table measures: 24 wide x 17 deep x 18.5 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we c...
Chrome
George Nelson Pedestal Side Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson for Herman Miller Pedestal side table. This 1954-designed table features a round black laminate top with white enameled metal stem and white four star base and disk fee...
Metal, Enamel
George Nelson Thin Edge Rosewood Nightstands
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller thin edge nightstands. Book matched rosewood veneers with porcelain pulls and tapered aluminum legs. Rare examples of the iconic series. White...
Aluminum, Steel
Model 5254 Pedestal Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice "Model 5254" pedestal table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, circa 2000s. The table has a white laminate top with beveled edge over a white metal pedestal base. The ta...
Metal
George Nelson Pedestal Table Model 5254 for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in San Diego, CA
Pedestal table designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, great condition model 5254 white laminate top over the white metal pedestal. And beveled edge.
Laminate
Pair of George Nelson Pedestal Table Model 5254 for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice pair of pedestal tables designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, great condition model 5254 white laminate top over the white metal pedestal. And beveled edge. Priced separa...
Laminate