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.
2013 SM1 Sofa in Orange Leather by Shelton Mindel for Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 2013 production SM1 Sofa, designed by Shelton Mindel and produced by Knoll. The sofa was specially ordered in orange leather with very nice hand feel. It's in terrific cond...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Orange Two-Seater Sofa, Italy, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Orange Two-Seater Sofa, Italy
Fabric
$3,730
H 27.56 in W 78.75 in D 41.34 in
Popus Editions Giovanna 2.5 Seater Sofa in Orange Verone Velvet Upholstery
Located in Paris, FR
Popus Editions Giovanna 2.5 seater sofa in orange Verone velvet upholstery. Giovanna is a sofa with a strong profile. A sober, plush line, with this famous detail that changes eve...
Upholstery
$4,189
H 27.56 in W 90.56 in D 41.34 in
Popus Editions Giovanna 3 Seater Sofa in Orange Verone Velvet Upholstery
Located in Paris, FR
Popus Editions Giovanna 3 seater sofa in orange Verone velvet upholstery Giovanna is a sofa with a strong profile. A sober, plush line, with this famous detail that changes everyt...
Upholstery
$4,766
H 27.56 in W 102.37 in D 41.34 in
Popus Editions Giovanna 4 Seater Sofa in Orange Verone Velvet Upholstery
Located in Paris, FR
Popus Editions Giovanna 4 seater sofa in Orange Verone Velvet Upholstery Giovanna is a sofa with a strong profile. A sober, plush line, with ...
Upholstery
$6,400 / set
H 17 in W 44 in D 44 in
Pair of Large Oversize 4x4 Orange Upholstery Square Benches by Steelcase Sofa
By Steelcase, Knoll
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of oversize mid century modern benches by Steelcase.
Upholstery
$3,907
H 28.35 in W 90.56 in D 37.41 in
Popus Editions Lena 3 Seater Sofa in Orange Verone Velvet Upholstery
Located in Paris, FR
Popus Editions Lena 3 seater sofa in orange verone velvet upholstery It looks like it's straight out of a movie, with its generous curves and wide armrests. It is a real invitatio...
Upholstery
$3,424
H 28.35 in W 78.75 in D 37.41 in
Popus Editions Lena 2.5 Seater Sofa in Orange Verone Velvet Upholstery
Located in Paris, FR
Popus Editions Lena 2.5 seater sofa in orange Verone velvet upholstery It looks like it's straight out of a movie, with its generous curves and wide armrests. It is a real invitat...
Upholstery
$18,800 / item
H 32 in W 89 in D 38 in
Weiman Post Modern Sculptural Chaise Lounge Sofa in Tangerine Wool Upholstery
By Weiman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
There are pieces that furnish a room and there are pieces that alter its atmosphere entirely and this sculptural Weiman chaise created at the height of American postmodernism in the ...
Upholstery, Wool
$18,800 / item
H 32 in W 89 in D 38 in
Weiman Post Modern Sculptural Chaise Lounge Sofa in Tangerine Wool Upholstery
By Weiman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
There are pieces that furnish a room and there are pieces that alter its atmosphere entirely and this sculptural Weiman chaise created at the height of American postmodernism in the ...
Wool, Upholstery
B&B Italia Club Chair
By B&B Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Get ready to fall in love with this stylish B&B Italia club chair! Wrapped in a fabric that mimics the elegance of grey English velvet, this chair is all about understated luxury wit...
Chrome
Charles Pollock Desk Chair by Knoll in Burnt Orange
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Charles Pollock for Knoll executive chair in burnt orange. This leather executive desk chair has swivel base with adjustable height. Base with all wheels in working condition...
Metal
Frits Henningsen Danish Modern Lounge Chair with New Upholstery
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Frits Henningsen Danish modern lounge chair. Tastefully reupholstered in grey heather textile with cinnamon accented piping. Solid mahogany legs retain original finish and appearance...
Textile
Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair by John Stuart Clingman for John Widdicomb
By John Widdicomb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern armless lounge chair designed by John Stuart Clingman for John Widdicomb. This piece features its original woven fabric in a soft salmon tone with a classic button...
Fabric, Walnut
De Sede DS-101 Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
De Sede model DS-101 lounge. Restored buffalo leather lounge chair and ottoman. Restored leather and wood set in very good condition. Extremely comfortable and even has a reclining f...
Leather
Penguin Chair by Ib Kofod Larsen
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic Penguin chair designed by Ib Kofod Larsen and produced by Selig. Gorgeous molded birch upper shell provides contoured support with original upholstered seat atop black iron f...
Iron
