The Michigan-based furniture maker Steelcase has a long and distinguished history, but collectors focus on its vintage office furniture and desk chairs from the 1950s to the ’70s, when, along with such companies as Knoll and Herman Miller, the firm helped define the aesthetics of American mid-century modernism.
Steelcase was founded in Grand Rapids in 1912 as the Metal Office Furniture Company, promoting steel desks and other furnishings as safer, fireproof alternatives to wooden pieces at a time when smoking in the workplace was common. Boston’s first skyscraper — the 32-story Customs House — was furnished by the company in 1915. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect and furniture designer whose work had a profound influence on the shape of modern life, turned to the firm in 1937 to fabricate the enameled metal chairs and desks for his Johnson Wax Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin.
In the 1950s, when Steelcase formally adopted the name it still uses today, the company developed a sleek and functional style employing rectilinear chrome frames for glass-topped tables and upholstered seating pieces. The look is similar to that of the minimal, Bauhaus-inspired designs of Florence Knoll, another icon of furniture design who helped shape the ethos of the postwar business world.
By the 1970s, Steelcase had enlivened its styling, offering such pieces as chairs and side tables designed by Gardner Leaver, with circular bases and curving supports. As you will see on these pages, Steelcase designs offer a perfect foundation for a modernist decor, with a touch of flair.
Find vintage Steelcase furniture on 1stDibs.
H 24.25 in W 40 in D 72 in
2012 Coalesse/Steelcase SW_1 Conference Table in Laminate 72 x 40 in
By Steelcase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a SW_1 Conference Table, originally designed by Scott Wilson in 2010. This particular example was produced by Steelcase in the USA C. 2012. The table is comprised of an alumi...
Aluminum
H 14.75 in W 42 in D 42 in
2017 Coalesse Black Laminate Polished Aluminum Table by Scott Wilson 2x Avail
By Coalesse
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a SW_1 Occasional Table, originally designed by Scott Wilson. This particular example was produced by Coalesse in 2017 in the USA. It's comprised of a black laminate tabletop...
Aluminum
H 27.96 in W 78.75 in D 43.31 in
Henrik Tengler Train Conference Table For One Collection
By Henrik Tengler
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Henrik Tengler Train Conference Table Leg: Stainless Steel, Tabletop: Linoleum Black For One Collection. As a prominent feature of the Train Table Series, originally created in 200...
Steel
H 28.35 in W 75.2 in D 35.83 in
Nogi Table Polished Black Glossy Color Carbon Steel Writing Table by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Nogi is a unique construction for tables. It can be produced in different shapes and sizes in different kinds of metals. Nogi table is available in stainless steel and carbon stee...
Steel
H 30 in W 79 in D 48 in
Extendable Dining Table with 79-Inch Black Oak Top and Metal Legs, Cronos Design
By Uultis Design
Located in Miami, FL
A Cronos extendable dining table designed by Sérgio Batista for Uultis with 79-inch black oak veneered top and black metallic base. *Please check availability prior to purchase*. Th...
Metal
H 28.35 in W 214.57 in D 74.81 in
Centro Progetti Tecno Conference Table 545cm/214in
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Centro Progetti Tecno, conference table model 'T335', lacquered wood, aluminum, Italy, 1975-1978 Large conference table with a black lacquered wooden top that has an incredibly soft...
Aluminum
H 29 in W 106 in D 42 in
Milo Baughman Black Lacquer Parsons Style Dining Table
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Dallas, TX
An iconic dining table by Milo Baughman for Directional. Table is well constructed and comes with two leaves each of which is 20"W. Without leaves table is 66"W. Black lacquer.
Wood, Lacquer
H 28.35 in W 94.49 in D 29.53 in
ClassiCon Pallas Table design Konstantin Grcic - Black Indoor use W300cm 118.1in
By Konstantin Grcic
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: ClassiCon Model: Pallas Table Design Konstantin Grcic Pallas is a table with overwhelming optical presence. It commands any room at first glance. At second glance, it reveals...
Steel
H 30 in W 96 in D 50 in
Large Deep Black Steel Dining Table
By Argosy Designs
Located in Treadwell, NY
Collection I: Marianas table The Marianas table is an expansive presence in a room. Featuring a tabletop constructed from Richlite, a paper-based material infused with resin, the ...
Steel
+ 4 moreH 29.53 in W 98.43 in D 39.38 in
e15 Anton Table with Jet Black Steel Base by Philipp Mainzer
By Philipp Mainzer, e15
Located in New York, NY
The table Anton illustrates an uncompromising focus on the essentials with regards to material and form. The table top has been constructed using 8 solid wood planks...
Wood
Modern Christian Cornelius for Coalesse Akira Rectangle Mobile Conference Table
By Steelcase, Coalesse
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Elegant Akira mobile collaborative and conference table or work table, designed by Christian Cornelius for Coalesse and Steelcase. Akira is a high-performance multi-purpose table for...
Aluminum
Modern Pearson Lloyd for Coalesse Bob Round Glass Top Occasional Coffee Table
By Steelcase, Pearson Lloyd, Coalesse
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Modern beauty and elegant design of the Bob occasional Table fits seamlessly into any environment and among Mid-Century classic design. Appropriate for home and workplace interi...
Aluminum
Herman Miller Motia Sit-to-Stand Electric Adjustable Height Rectangle Desk Table
By Herman Miller
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Elegant Motia Ergonomic Sit-to-Stand table desk/work center by Herman Miller. An electric adjustable height worktable that gracefully moves from the sitting to standing position in s...
Steel
Modern Coalesse and Steelcase Sidewalk Glass Top Square Coffee Table or Ottomna
By Steelcase, Coalesse
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Modern beauty and smart design of the Sidewalk coffee table fits seamlessly into any environment. Appropriate for home and workplace interiors, elegant and lightly scaled that can do double...
Steel
Contemporary Haworth Jive 48 in Round Veneer Top Conference Table/Cafe Table
By Haworth, Haworth Design Studio
Located in Secaucus, NJ
The Haworth Jive round table is a beautiful and versatile addition to any office space. Crafted with high-quality materials and designed with both functionality and style in mind. T...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Style Eleven Wood Square Solid Ash Wood Dining Table by OFS
By Office Furniture Systems
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous mid-century modern style Eleven Wood square dining table by OFS. The Eleven Wood table embodies architecture uninterrupted with elegant simplicity and warmth from crafted wo...
Laminate, Hardwood, Ash
