Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

American

No other business of its kind did more than the Herman Miller Furniture Company to introduce modern design into American homes. Working with legendary designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Alexander Girard, the Zeeland, Michigan-based firm fostered some of the boldest expressions of what we now call mid-century modern style. In doing so, Herman Miller produced some of the most beautiful, iconic and, one can even say, noblest chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture ever.

Founded in 1923, Herman Miller was originally known for grand historicist bedroom suites: heavily ornamented wood furniture that appealed to a high-minded, wealthier clientele. The company — named for its chief financial backer — began to suffer in the early 1930s as the Great Depression hit, and D.J. De Pree, the company’s CEO, feared bankruptcy. In 1932, aid came in the form of Gilbert Rohde, a self-taught furniture designer who had traveled widely in Europe, absorbing details of the Art Deco movement and other modernist influences. After persuading De Pree that the growing middle class required smaller, lighter household furnishings, Rohde set a new course for Herman Miller, creating sleek chairs, tables and cabinetry that were the essence of the Streamline Moderne style.

Rohde died suddenly in 1944. The following year, De Pree turned to George Nelson, an architect who had written widely about modern furniture design. Under Nelson’s leadership, Herman Miller would embrace new technologies and materials and audacious biomorphic forms.

Some of the pieces the company produced are now emblems of 20th century American design, including the Eames lounge chair and ottoman and Nelson’s Marshmallow sofa and Coconut chair. Such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.

Find a range of vintage Herman Miller office chairs, desks, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Creator: Herman Miller

1950s George Nelson Fire Starter for Herman Miller

$1,150

1950s George Nelson Fire Starter for Herman Miller

By Herman Miller, George Nelson

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage George Nelson fire starter in good overall vintage condition. This iconic mid-century modern piece retains its original design and displays beautifully as a collectible or fu...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Cast Stone, Cast Iron, Steel

Pair of George III Antique Steel Fire Irons

$438 / set

H 28.94 in W 4.73 in D 1.19 in

Pair of George III Antique Steel Fire Irons

Located in Suffolk, GB

Pair of George III antique steel fire irons consisting of a pair of steel fire tongs and a shovel with a pieced centre. Measures: 73.5 x 12...

Category

1780s English George III Antique Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

George Nelson Cast Iron Fire Starter

$950

H 11 in Dm 6 in

George Nelson Cast Iron Fire Starter

By George Nelson, Howard Miller

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Mid-Century Modern, cast iron, fire starter by George Nelson for Howard Miller.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

George Nelson for Howard Miller forced Iron Stand Fireplace Log Fire Holder

$2,151

H 6.7 in W 14.57 in D 20.08 in

George Nelson for Howard Miller forced Iron Stand Fireplace Log Fire Holder

By George Nelson, Howard Miller

Located in Den Haag, NL

A classic original 1960s Howard Miller fireplace “Fire basket” log fire holder designed by George Nelson Assoc. of forged Iron . Still traces left of the original Gold Color .

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

1950s French Fire Tool Chrome Fireplace Set Style Pierre Guariche

$1,177 / set

H 20.5 in W 8 in D 7 in

1950s French Fire Tool Chrome Fireplace Set Style Pierre Guariche

By Pierre Guariche

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a mid-century modern chrome fireplace tool set, likely designed in the style of Pierre Guariche. This 1950s French design features a sleek, minimalist chrome...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Chrome

Donald Deskey for Bennett Fire Tools

$975

H 33 in W 13 in D 7 in

Donald Deskey for Bennett Fire Tools

Located in St. Louis, MO

Scroll handles fire tools in textured iron, stand with tripod base, designed by Donald Deskey for Bennett, circa 1950.

Category

1950s American Vintage Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Aluminum, Iron

Waynesboro George Washington Figural fire log with Grate, Circa 1890

$2,100

H 15 in W 14 in D 7 in

Waynesboro George Washington Figural fire log with Grate, Circa 1890

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A remarkable pair of late 19th century American figural andirons depicting George Washington, complete with their original iron grate. Handcrafted by skilled metalworkers in Waynesbo...

Category

1890s Antique Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal

Set of George III Fire Tools

$5,900 / set

H 29.5 in W 5.75 in D 2 in

Set of George III Fire Tools

Located in Greenwich, CT

Fine set of three Georgian fire tools having square shovel with pierced rectangle decoration, flattened knob finials, the shafts with suppressed ba...

Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

George Nelson Style Original and Vintage Wall Mounted Fireplace Tools

$2,200

H 28.5 in W 11 in D 1.75 in

George Nelson Style Original and Vintage Wall Mounted Fireplace Tools

Located in North Miami, FL

Directional fireplace tool set on wall-mounted bracket. Rare!

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Iron

Cape Cod Firelighter Irving Harper George Nelson Fire Starter Cast Iron Tool McM

$960Sale Price|20% Off

H 11 in Dm 6 in

Cape Cod Firelighter Irving Harper George Nelson Fire Starter Cast Iron Tool McM

By George Nelson, Irving Harper, Howard Miller

Located in Hyattsville, MD

Presented to you in original patina, a cast iron pot, and coil-handled shaft with firing stone. A famous Industrial Design midcentury icon; the Cape Cod firelighter, Model H611, desi...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

George III Style Steel Fire Grate

$6,378

H 24.88 in W 26.5 in D 14.88 in

George III Style Steel Fire Grate

Located in London, GB

A Georgian style steel fire grate. The serpentine shaped fret with flutes, beading and engraved paterae. The four finials of urn shape, sat on square plinths with matching paterae, a...

Category

Late 20th Century English George III Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

Antique George III Steel Fire Fender Pierced Decorative Serpentine Front

$1,464

H 7.09 in W 44.89 in D 9.85 in

Antique George III Steel Fire Fender Pierced Decorative Serpentine Front

Located in Suffolk, GB

A very attractive antique George III steel fire fender with a beautifully shaped serpentine front. The pierced decoration with repeating oval motifs and applied roundels gives it a r...

Category

Early 19th Century George III Antique Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Steel

Black and Brass Modernist Fire Tools by Pilgrim 1960's

$3,400 / set

H 32 in W 12 in D 6 in

Black and Brass Modernist Fire Tools by Pilgrim 1960's

By George Nelson

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Black and Brass Modernist Fire Tools by Pilgrim 1960's. Stunning set of 1960's modernist brass and iron fireplace tools by Pilgrim. Modernist Wrought Iron and Brass Fireplace Tools by Pilgrim Manufacturing. Modernist, five-piece, fire tools set by Pilgrim attributed to designer George Nelson features a black wrought iron frame and fire tools with polished brass handles and matte brass base. Architectural iron fire tool set by Pilgrim in black and brass. Features 4 tools in a minimalist open frame tools include a poker, shovel, brush, and log grabber with matching stand. Black frame with solid brass handles and decorative trim. Signed Pilgrim Fireplace...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Iron

Previously Available Items

Set of 8 Panton Chairs by Verner Panton for Fehlbaum / Herman Miller

Sold

H 32.29 in W 19.69 in L 32.29 in

Set of 8 Panton Chairs by Verner Panton for Fehlbaum / Herman Miller

By Verner Panton, Rolf Fehlbaum, Herman Miller

Located in Berlin, DE

Set of 8 matching orange Panton chairs, designed by Verner Panton and manufactured in the 1970s by Fehlbaum in Switzerland in License of Herman Miller. ...

Category

1970s Swiss Space Age Vintage Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Plastic

Early Modernist George Nelson Tambour Roll Top Desk, 1964

Sold

H 33 in W 64 in D 34 in

Early Modernist George Nelson Tambour Roll Top Desk, 1964

By George Nelson, Herman Miller

Located in Buffalo, NY

Early modernist George Nelson roll top desk. Purchased from prominent Buffalo New York architect, retains original cream lacquer wood finis...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Table

Sold

H 26 in Dm 36 in

Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller Table

By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller

Located in Bainbridge, NY

vintage Charles and Ray Eames Indoor Outdoor Contract Base Table with original round 36" Beige striated Marble Top on solid cast brushed Aluminum base

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Marble, Aluminum

Herman Miller building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Herman Miller building and garden elements are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Herman Miller building and garden elements, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original building and garden elements by Herman Miller were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1950s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider building and garden elements by George Nelson, John Follis, and Russell Woodard. Prices for Herman Miller building and garden elements can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,875 and can go as high as $2,875, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,875.

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Questions About Herman Miller Building and Garden Elements

Who is Herman Miller?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Although many modern furnishings bear his name, Herman Miller is not a furniture designer. It is the name of a manufacturer — the business was originally called the Michigan Star Furniture Company and produced bedroom sets in traditional styles. When the company's general manager D.J. De Pree purchased the manufacturer in 1923 with his father-in-law's help, he showed his gratitude by renaming it after his benefactor: Herman Miller. Today, the firm is best known for iconic mid-century modern furniture designed by the likes of George Nelson, Ray and Charles Eames, and others. Herman Miller chairs, tables, storage cabinets and more helped usher in a new era of design characterized by sleek lines, bold colors and luxurious materials.
What is a Herman Miller chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 29, 2024
A Herman Miller chair is a chair produced by the American furniture company Herman Miller.

The firm is best known today for its iconic mid-century modern furniture, which includes a range of armchairs, office chairs and other seating. Vintage Herman Miller chairs such as the Eames lounge chair, the Coconut chair and the Eames Executive chair are widely celebrated by design enthusiasts all over the world, while the Aeron chair, which was created by ergonomics pioneers Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick in the 1990s, is the quintessential computer chair and a best seller.

Shop a collection of Herman Miller chairs and other mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.
Is Herman Miller the same as Eames?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Herman Miller is the official retailer and manufacturer of the iconic Eames lounge chairs. Inspired by 19th-century English club chairs, interior design enthusiasts highly covet the distinctive-shaped Eames chair. Shop a collection of vintage Eames chairs and other goods from Herman Miller on 1stDibs.
Does Herman Miller own Knoll?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, the noted furniture brand Herman Miller acquired Knoll in 2021 and announced a new name, MillerKnoll. The new name is meant to take advantage of the long history and reputation that each brand brings to the table and to introduce a new, stronger joint effort to the public. Shop a collection of Herman Miller and Knoll furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
Where is the Herman Miller headquarters?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
The Herman Miller headquarters is located in Zeeland, Michigan. It opened in 1905 as the Star Furniture Company. The public company's stock trades on the NASDAQ exchange under the initials MLKN. On 1stDibs, you can find a selection of Herman Miller furniture.
Why is Herman Miller so good?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
Herman Miller is good due to its long history of producing high-quality and enduring designs. No other business of its kind did more than the Herman Miller Furniture Company to introduce modern design into American homes. Working with legendary designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Alexander Girard, the Zeeland, Michigan-based firm fostered some of the boldest expressions of what we now call mid-century modern style. In doing so, Herman Miller produced some of the most beautiful and iconic chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture ever. Some of the pieces the company produced are now emblems of 20th-century American design, including the Eames lounge chair and ottoman and George Nelson’s Marshmallow sofa and Coconut chair. Such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless staples of modernist decor. Shop a wide range of Herman Miller furniture on 1stDibs.
What is PostureFit from Herman Miller?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
PostureFit from Herman Miller is a kit available as an accessory for Aeron chairs and stools. Its purpose is to provide extra support at the base of the spine to help encourage better posture. The kit doesn't fit all Aeron chairs, making it important that you carefully read the information about compatible models before making a purchase. Shop a range of Herman Miller chairs on 1stDibs.
How can I tell what model my Herman Miller is?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
To tell what model your Herman Miller is, look for the manufacturer's label, usually found in an inconspicuous area. You'll see the brand name and a number on the tag. The first three characters of this number represent your piece's style number. By cross-referencing them with information published on trusted online resources, you can determine which model your furniture is. Shop a wide variety of Herman Miller furniture on 1stDibs.
How do I clean a Herman Miller Aeron?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To clean a Herman Miller Aeron chair, follow the specific directions provided by the company. Generally, you can use a soft cloth moistened with water and mild dish soap to wipe off the arms, base and frame. Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to remove debris from the upholstery. Shop a range of Herman Miller chairs on 1stDibs.
How do I adjust a Herman Miller chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
How to adjust a Herman Miller chair depends on the model. Over the years, the company's furniture has employed many different mechanisms. Current styles of their well-known Aeron chair have a lever on the right for adjusting the seat height and one on the left that controls the seat tilt. A separate lever allows you to raise and lower the arms. You'll find a collection of Herman Miller chairs on 1stDibs.
How do I replace Herman Miller casters?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
How to replace Herman Miller casters depends on the chair. In most cases, you will need a pipe wrench and an Allen wrench to remove the current casters, and a mallet and a lubricant to install the new wheels. Follow the replacement instructions provided by Herman Miller to ensure best results. Find a selection of Herman Miller chairs on 1stDibs.
Where is Herman Miller furniture made?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Where Herman Miller furniture is made depends on the piece. Up until 2007, a factory in Zeeland, Michigan, produced nearly all of the company's furniture. In 2007, the company acquired a factory in Ningbo, China, and in the early 2010s, they established a manufacturing location in the United Kingdom. On 1stDibs, you can find a selection of Herman Miller furniture.
What is the best Herman Miller chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
The best Herman Miller chair is going to vary by owner. There have been many revered chairs and other seating manufactured by the legendary American furniture company over the years. Chairs by Herman Miller are often alluring in appearance, comfortable, and long-lasting. 1stDibs offers a variety of vintage and new Herman Miller chairs that are contemporary in design and durable.
How often does Herman Miller have a sale?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Normally, Herman Miller has two sales each year. The first takes place in the spring, and the second is usually in the fall around the start of shopping for the holiday season. Year-round, other online platforms may offer discounts on Herman Miller. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Herman Miller furniture.
Are there fake Herman Miller chairs?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 29, 2024
Yes, there are fake Herman Miller chairs. Because of the brand's popularity, some unscrupulous manufacturers create replicas and try to pass them off as authentic Herman Miller pieces. Others simply borrow elements of the style, producing chairs that look very similar. To identify a real Herman Miller chair, look for a label or medallion that shows the brand's logo or name in the correct font. Normally, the manufacturer’s mark can be found under the seat.

On 1stDibs, shop a collection of authentic Herman Miller chairs.
How do I tell what Herman Miller chair I have?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024
You can tell what Herman Miller chair you have by using the model number. To find it, look under the seat for the brand tag and locate the number on it. The first three digits are your chair's model number. Research these digits using trusted online resources to learn more about your piece. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Herman Miller chairs.
How do I identify a Herman Miller chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
An easy way to identify a Herman Miller chair is to examine the underside of the seat. Many pieces feature a label or medallion that bears the brand name in the correct font or the logo. In addition, Herman Miller chairs come with a certificate of authenticity. On 1stDibs, find a selection of expertly vetted Herman Miller chairs.
How do I adjust a Herman Miller Aeron?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
The way to adjust a Herman Miller Aeron chair depends on which part you wish to reposition. To raise or lower the seat, use the paddle-shaped lever found on the right side of the chair. Reach for the lever on the left side to tilt the seat. A lever on the base of the arms controls the arm height, and you can modify the arm angle by pivoting the arm pad. You'll find a selection of Herman Miller chairs on 1stDibs.
Does Herman Miller make clocks?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, Herman Miller makes clocks. Founded in 1927, the Herman Miller Clock Company specialized in traditional clock design. Today, Herman Miller is known for their mid-century and contemporary style clocks. Browse a selection of Herman Miller’s clocks and furniture on 1stDibs.
What style of furniture is Herman Miller?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
The style of furniture associated with Herman Miller is mid-century modern. While the manufacturer originally produced bedroom sets in traditional styles, the company eventually changed course, and no other business of its kind did more than Herman Miller to introduce mid-century modern design into American homes. Working with legendary designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Alexander Girard, the Zeeland, Michigan-based firm fostered some of the boldest expressions of what we now call mid-century modern style. In doing so, Herman Miller produced some of the most beautiful and iconic chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of Herman Miller furniture.

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