Iconic Designs

Marshmallow SofaBy George Nelson

About the Design

Original models of the Marshmallow sofa have fetched tens of thousands of dollars at auction courtesy of the famously limited inaugural production. A fusion of function and Pop Art created by former George Nelson employee and young designer Irving Harper (1916–2015), the sofa was conceived after a salesman from a Long Island, New York–based plastics manufacturer visited George Nelson Associates in Manhattan with his company’s new injection-molded vinyl pads. The pads were durable and cost-effective, argued the salesman, because they were “self-skinning” and wouldn’t need upholstering. To Harper, the cushions presented a design challenge — one he gamely accepted. He worked up a model over a weekend’s time.

The Marshmallow sofa’s scattered disks, which measured 10 inches in diameter, looked as if they were suspended in midair. When the sofa debuted in 1956, the Herman Miller catalogue listed the design as the “Marshmallow Love Seat #5670” and credited it to Nelson rather than Harper, stating, “Despite its astonishing appearance, this piece is very comfortable.”

Unfortunately, with 18 cushions per brushed tubular steel frame, the venture was far more expensive than Nelson and Harper realized, and Herman Miller manufactured only a couple hundred models in the initial batch. The company stopped producing the sofa in 1961 but reissued the piece in the 1980s. Now it’s available in leather and a variety of brightly colored fabrics. Harper, who redesigned the Herman Miller logo in 1946, conceived of other Pop Art–style furnishings while working for George Nelson, such as the Ball clock and Sunburst clock.

Marshmallow Sofa

Limited Edition Multicolor George Nelson For Herman Miller Marshmallow Sofa

$4,375Sale Price|30% Off

Limited Edition Multicolor George Nelson For Herman Miller Marshmallow Sofa

By Herman Miller, Irving Harper, George Nelson

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Aluminum, Steel, Chrome

George Nelson for Herman Miller Marshmallow Sofa in White Leather

$5,500

George Nelson for Herman Miller Marshmallow Sofa in White Leather

By George Nelson, Herman Miller

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...

Category

Early 2000s American Sofas

Materials

Steel

George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa

$24,000

George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa

By George Nelson

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

George Nelson Marshmallow sofa, model 5670 Manufactured by Herman Miller A great example of an iconic form.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Sofas

Materials

Chrome, Stainless Steel, Steel

Early Original George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa. Amazing Condition. Signed

$48,500

Early Original George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa. Amazing Condition. Signed

By Herman Miller, Irving Harper, George Nelson

Located in Kansas City, MO

Orignal production iconic Marshmallow Sofa designed by Irving Harper for the George Nelson Office therefore attributed to George Nelson. Manufactured by Herman Miller and signed who...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Vintage George Smith Kilim Upholstered Three Seat Couch or Sofa Feather Cushions

$18,534

H 35.44 in W 72.84 in D 41.34 in

Vintage George Smith Kilim Upholstered Three Seat Couch or Sofa Feather Cushions

By George Smith

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original George Smith three seat sofa with the period Kilim upholstery and feather filled cushions A stunning sofa which is one of G...

Category

2010s English Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

FINE GEORGE SMITH HOWARD SiGNATURE SCROLL ARM SOFA MULBERRY FLYING DUCKS VELVET

$18,569

H 32.49 in W 83.08 in D 44.49 in

FINE GEORGE SMITH HOWARD SiGNATURE SCROLL ARM SOFA MULBERRY FLYING DUCKS VELVET

By Mulberry, George Smith

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this brand new, George Smith Signature Scroll Arm large sofa with feather filled back and base cushions upho...

Category

20th Century English Country Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Beech, Oak

George Nelson Vanity Stool Model 4672 for Herman Miller

$3,600

H 19.5 in W 19 in D 19 in

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.

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Aluminum

Six Foot George Nelson Classic Slat Bench 1950's Original Signed!

$3,200

H 14 in W 56.5 in D 18.5 in

Six Foot George Nelson Classic Slat Bench 1950's Original Signed!

By George Nelson

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

A classic, original 1950's vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller slat bench. Natural finish with warm patina and ebonized legs. This is a hard to find original, retaining its foil...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Maple

George Nelson Classic Slat Bench 1950's Original Signed!

$2,200

H 14 in W 68 in D 18.75 in

George Nelson Classic Slat Bench 1950's Original Signed!

By George Nelson

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

A classic, original 1950's vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller slat bench. Original ebonised finish with warm patina. This is a hard to find original bench, retaining its foil la...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Maple

Mid century George Nelson early slatted platform bench black lacquer

$2,520Sale Price|40% Off

H 14 in W 102 in D 18 in

Mid century George Nelson early slatted platform bench black lacquer

By George Nelson, Herman Miller

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Mid century George Nelson early slatted platform bench black lacquer. Has rounded corner base with flat head screws. All original black lacquer finish. Shows use from age. Made circa...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Custom George Smith Espresso Tufted Leather Sofa

$5,875Sale Price|50% Off

H 46 in W 54 in D 29 in

Custom George Smith Espresso Tufted Leather Sofa

By George Smith

Located in New York, NY

An original custom made soft mottled dark espresso leather tufted with brass tacks and mahogany wood legs by famed bespoke British furniture maker, George Smith. Original label. Exc...

Category

Early 2000s English Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Gorgeous Sofa

$3,220Sale Price|40% Off

H 29.53 in W 67.33 in D 35.83 in

Gorgeous Sofa

Located in Munich, DE

A cosy organic design i never saw before. Very low and comfortable seating.

Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Settees

Materials

Fabric

MCM Leather Perch Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller

$2,000

H 40 in W 28 in D 28 in

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...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Nelson Slat Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller

$1,900

H 14 in W 18.5 in D 60 in

Nelson Slat Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller

By George Nelson, Herman Miller

Located in Chicago, IL

c. 1990s. USA. Black painted base with natural wood top.

Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Vintage Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller

$2,500

H 27 in W 65.25 in D 30.5 in

Vintage Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller

By George Nelson, Herman Miller

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Metal

Custom George Smith 2000s Black Tufted Leather Sofa

$6,400Sale Price|50% Off

H 46 in W 54 in D 29 in

Custom George Smith 2000s Black Tufted Leather Sofa

By George Smith

Located in New York, NY

An original custom made soft mottled black leather tufted with brass tacks and mahogany wood legs by famed bespoke British furniture maker, George Smith. Original label. Excellent co...

Category

Early 2000s English Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Previously Available Items

George Nelson for Herman Miller "Marshmallow" Sofa

Sold

H 30 in W 51.5 in D 33 in

George Nelson for Herman Miller "Marshmallow" Sofa

By Herman Miller, George Nelson

Located in Astoria, NY

George Nelson and Associates for Herman Miller "Marshmallow" Sofa, originally designed 1956, this example 2012, eighteen black leather upholstered cushions on a steel and black ename...

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Enamel, Steel

George Nelson Brown Orange and Steel Marshmallow Sofa, 1980s, Herman Miller

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 ...

Category

Vintage 1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Steel

Marshmallow Sofa / Loveseat in Red leather by George Nelson for Herman Miller.

Sold

H 31.5 in W 51.75 in L 31.5 in

Marshmallow Sofa / Loveseat in Red leather by George Nelson for Herman Miller.

By Herman Miller, George Nelson

Located in Kansas City, MO

Early reissue of the iconic marshmallow sofa. Original red leather in very good to excellent condition. Designed by Irving Harper for the Nelson office,

Category

Vintage 1950s American Sofas

Materials

Steel

More George Nelson Designs

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Number Available

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Coconut Lounge Chair

Average Price

$5,072

Number Available

Coconut Lounge Chair

By George Nelson

Materials

Metal, Animal Skin, Leather, Chrome, Fiberglass, Plastic

Styles

Mid Century Modern

George Nelson (1908–86) attributed many of his design breakthroughs to creative “zaps.” He described such moments as “when the solitary individual finds he is connected with a reality he never dreamed of.” The Coconut lounge chair can certainly be traced back to one such “zap.”The inspiration for the piece — which evolved from an idea presented by George Mulhauser, a designer who worked at Nelson’s Manhattan studio, George Nelson Associates, Inc., and is now credited with the concept — was as...

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A Guide to Herman Miller’s Most Iconic Furniture

The prolific manufacturer has partnered with many of the world’s top designers since opening its doors in 1923. Here are some of the company’s greatest hits, which helped transform the American home and office.

Marshmallow SofaBy George Nelson

Marshmallow Sofa

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Early 2000s American Sofas

Vintage 1950s American Sofas

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Settees

2010s English Modern Sofas

20th Century English Country Sofas

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Stools

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Early 2000s English Post-Modern Sofas

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Settees

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Early 2000s English Post-Modern Sofas

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Vintage 1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Vintage 1950s American Sofas

Read More

A Guide to Herman Miller’s Most Iconic Furniture