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.
De Sede DS-16 Brown Leather Lounge Chair, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Rødding, DK
This lounge chair is the DS-16 model, produced by De Sede in Switzerland. The chair is upholstered throughout in thick brown leather, with a boxy, architectural frame typical of De ...
Leather, Wood
$2,676
H 28.35 in W 33.86 in D 26.38 in
De Sede DS-31 Brown Leather Swivel Lounge Chair, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Rødding, DK
This lounge chair is the DS-31 model, produced by De Sede in Switzerland. The chair is upholstered throughout in warm brown leather, with backrest, arms and seat cushion edged in a ...
Metal
Model Ds-86 Leather Lounge Chair by Desede
By De Sede
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: De Sede Era: 1960s Materials: Leather Measurements: 35.5" wide x 31" tall Condition: In excellent original condition with typi...
Leather
Roland Ranier Easy Chair in Beige Leather and Metal
By Roland Rainer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roland Ranier, lounge chair, leather, steel, Austria, 1950s Modern and beautiful armchair. This chair forms an extraordinary stately appearance, being both crisp and warm at the sam...
Steel
$1,843
H 35.83 in W 35.04 in D 35.83 in
1970s, Scandinavian swivel chair, original condition, brown furniture leather.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Scandinavian design. Swivel chair in brown furniture leather. Original very good condition: no smells, no stains, stable construction. Chrome steel base. Classic Scandinavian ...
Steel
$9,800 / item
H 26.8 in W 36.6 in D 33.9 in
1970s Percival Lafer MP-61 Lounge Chair in Brown Leather, Brazil
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Brazilian architect Percival Lafer in 1973, the MP-61 lounge chair is one of the more distinctive designs from Lafer’s prolific period of experimentation with unconventio...
Leather, Jatoba
Armchair Made In Brown Leather From 1980s
Located in Lejre, DK
The armchair in brown leather, an example of Danish design from the 1980s, radiates both comfort and style. The deep, warm color of brown leather gives the chair a sophisticated look...
Leather
1960s Scandinavian Brown Leather Swivel Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Scandinavian lounge chair dates to the 1960s and features a sculptural, well-balanced form upholstered in rich brown leather. The design combines generous proportions with a cle...
Leather
$10,000
H 27 in W 38 in D 25 in
1986 Entelechy Series Prototype Lounge Chair in Tan Leather w/ Chrome Frame
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a rare prototype lounge chair from the Entelechy series, designed by architect John Portman and produced by renowned metal manufacturer Gratz Indu...
Steel
$4,000
H 29.5 in W 33.75 in D 30.75 in
2002 Trix and Robert Haussmann for Knoll Lounge Chair in Brown Leather
By Trix and Robert Haussmann, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Upholstered Club Chair from 'The Lounge Seating' series, designed by the Swiss husband-and-wife design duo Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll International in 1988. The c...
Aluminum
Milo Baughman For Thayer Coggin Cantilever T Back Lounge Chair
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin cantilever T-back lounge chair exemplifies the designer’s refined approach to Mid-Century Modern seating, balancing comfort with clean architectu...
Metal
1980s Massimo Iosa Ghini for Moroso Leather and Steel Post Modern Lounge Chair
By Moroso, Massimo Iosa Ghini
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Massimo Iosa Ghini lounge chair for Moroso. This wonderful chaise lounge chair features a 80s post modern design featuring a flowing art deco inspired design. This chair is...
Chrome
McGuire Bercut Chocolate Leather And Rattan Lounge Chair
By McGuire
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Designed with McGuire's signature blend of refined craftsmanship and organic materials, the Bercut lounge chair offers a sophisticated take on relaxed contemporary seating. The sculp...
Leather
Ekornes Stressless Wave Lowback Contemporary Loveseat with Cori Vanilla Leather
By Ekornes Stressless, Ekornes
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An Ekornes Stressless Wave lowback loveseat. This lovely modern Danish sofa features very high quality materials and construction. This piece has a very sturdy wood and metal frame with a super clean cori vanilla leather outer upholstery. The cori leather is super soft and has a wonderful textured grain. The design of the loveseat has a classic Danish design, with round walnut legs and a very clean silhouette. Additionally, this sofa has a subtle reclining feature, which is as easy as leaning back and leaning forward. This piece is in very good condition. The Stressless tag can be found on one side of the sofa as pictured above. It measures 34 inches tall, 57 inches long, and 31 inches deep. It has a seat height of 18 inches, a seat depth of 18 inches, a back height of 18 inches, and an arm height of 6 inches. When reclined, it has an approximate depth of 38 inches. There are 2 matching sofas...
Leather, Wood
Soriana by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina Contemporary Loveseat Made in Italy
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Soriana loveseat by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. This is a contemporary edition of the iconic Soriana, originally designed in 1969. The was created with a mix of contemporary m...
Cotton
Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani Set of 4 Vintage Tan Suede Fabric Tucroma Chairs
By Guido Faleschini
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of 4 "Tucroma" chairs by Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani. This set of stunning Italian design dining chairs are a perfect example of 70s Euro styling. The Tucroma chair was ori...
Suede
