Holy cow!!! This is such an icon of mid-century modern design I can hardly contain my excitement in offering it to you. So here goes……! It is a sideboard or credenza cabinet from the BCS, or Basic Cabinet Series designed by George Nelson in 1946 for Herman Miller. This one is in the walnut finish with double full-height doors on the left and a stack of four drawers on the right. It is a stand-alone unit with one-inch brushed chrome cylindrical legs and aluminum “J” handles. It retains its original George Nelson/Herman Miller label in the top drawer dating it to 1946-1958. This piece has been restored; however, it was used afterward so may have a little evidence of that use. It is a fantastic find and we are so in love with it here at the shop.

George Nelson, designer, architect and author, was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1908. He studied at Yale earning a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in 1928 and 1931 respectively. He also studied at the Catholic University in Washington DC where he won the Rome Prize which may have been the turning point in his life. While there he met and interviewed 12 leading architects of the time including , Mies van der Rohe, , and . These interviews were published in the magazine Pencil Points. Then as associate editor of Architecture Forum and Fortune magazines Nelson’s writing drew the attention of D. J. DePree, president of Herman Miller, resulting in Nelson creating his first design for Herman Miller in 1945 and subsequently becoming their Design Director in 1947. While at Herman Miller Nelson was involved in the design of hundreds of furniture pieces and recruited iconic design talents including and . George Nelson also launched a studio in New York to design furniture, architecture, graphics, and exhibitions for clients the likes of General Electric, Olivetti, Abbott, and more. The studio went by various names, but it always included incredible designers such as George Tscherny, Gordon Chadwick, , , and , to name a few. Many landmark designs came from this man and his studio. George Nelson passed away in New York in 1986 at the age of 77.

Herman Miller started life as Star furniture Co. in Zeeland, Michigan in 1905 a producer of high-quality furniture. Becoming Michigan Star Furniture Co in 1919, and then in 1923, when long time employee Dirk Jan De Pree and his father-in-law purchased 51% of the company stock, it was renamed Herman Miller Furniture Company. And remained so until the 1960s when it became Herman Miller, Inc. Until the 1930s they produced only traditional wood furniture, but the Great Depression caused a need for change and they hired modernist who took the company in a new successful direction. Upon Rohde’s death in 1944 he was replaced by none other than the renowned George Nelson. Working with the likes of not only Charles and Ray Eames but Isamu Noguchi, , and , to name just a few, Nelson lead Herman Miller to became one of the finest names in furniture and design.

This is one of the pieces in my top 10 most important pieces of mid-century modern design. You need to make it yours! Price: $4,495

This awesome chair has been in our long-lost storage for quite a few years and we have just now had the time to restore it to its original beauty. It is not marked and after extensive research we had not determined its maker. It is so like the gorgeous lounge chairs designed by Jens Risom, but the front apron and the curvature of the arm is just not the same. The arm shape is more reminiscent of the armchair by Ole Wanscher for John Stuart, but this chair has a floating seat and back, like the Risom chair, and not loose cushions. It was a puzzle. But is fabulous so we listed it without determining its designer and maker. Then…a fabulous MCM dealer saw our listing and contact us. Boy! Did we have a DUH! moment. It turns out this is the incredible 5476 Lounge Chair designed by George Nelson circa 1952 for Herman Miller, although unmarked. Its warm and wonderful walnut frame has been carefully refinished and restored so it still retains the look of a vintage piece. In addition, the new fabric was chosen to have a rich and original feel. And just look at that color! We call it fuchsia. You can call it whatever you want. Just call it yours! Price: $2,295

When we saw this desk setting in the office of the home where we obtained it, I think I may have gasp! It is so beautiful. This is the I roll top desk or A01. The first generation of the Herman Miller Action Office group. It was the brain child of Herman Miller Research Corporation under the direction of Robert Propst with George Nelson as Design Director. It was first produced in 1964 and ended its production in 1968 with the introduction of Action Office II. This magnificent example of mid-century modern design was the forerunner to the office cubical. There were two models made. One for standing to work and this one for being seated. The thought was to promote concentration by providing change. Its tambour door was meant to increase work production by allowing you to close the roll top on your uncompleted work at night and open it right up to start in again in the morning, as well as providing privacy. Action Office was awarded the Alcoa Award in 1965. The combination of materials is true George Nelson and make this piece shine. This example has an unusual blue color to its end panels. Not quite turquoise. Not quite steel blue. Not quite robin’s egg blue. Combine that with gorgeous walnut of the roll top, the aluminum legs, white plastic laminate desktop, and you have something beyond incredible. Plus, the roll top conceals a compartment in the back for hanging file folders and there are four individual pencil drawers across the front. Do not let this icon of mid- century design get away. Make it yours!

Price: $8,995