Herman Miller Furniture
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 travelled 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 recognisable 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.
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Leather
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium
1960s Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Upholstery, Fibreglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Fibreglass, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Rosewood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Maple
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Bentwood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Steel
1980s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Steel
1960s American Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium, Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Metal, Aluminium
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Plywood, Ash
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Metal
1950s American Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Plywood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Walnut, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Maple, Lacquer
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Steel, Aluminium
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Fibreglass
1960s Central American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Chrome
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Upholstery, Foam, Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Maple, Walnut
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium, Steel
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium, Steel
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Fibreglass, Walnut
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Walnut
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Plywood
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Furniture
Bentwood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Metal
1960s Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Chrome
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Walnut
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Aluminium
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Herman Miller Furniture
Metal