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 traveled 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 recognizable 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.
MCM Swivel Retro Tub Chair Newly Reupholstered
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Swivel Retro Tub Chair Newly Reupholstered in a Natural Cashmere Alpaca Fabric Mid-Century Modern swivel tub chair with a sculptural, low-profile silhouette. Newl...
Alpaca
Mid-Century Modern Swivel Lounge Chair Newly Upholstered in a High End Chenille
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern Swivel Lounge Chair Newly Upholstered in a High End Ivory Chenille Add another comfortable seat to your living room while making a statement with comfortable acc...
Chenille
Vintage Retro Modern Galerkin Design Swivel Chair with Attached Side Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Retro Modern Galerkin Design Swivel Chair with Attached Side Table Newly Upholstered in Baby Blue Textured Suede Great funky vintage chair...
Leather, Wood
Mid Century Modern Herman Miller Swivel Shell Chairs- Set of 4
By Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Swivel Shell Chairs in Red Orange Vinyl - Set of 4 Fabulous set of 4 early Charles and Ray Eames fo...
Metal
Mid Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Swivel Lounge Chairs Newly Upholstered
By Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Barrel Back Swivel Lounge Chairs Newly Upholstered In SeaFoam Pleaded Mohair & Crushed AquaBlu Velvet - Pair These chairs not only offer a sty...
Mohair, Upholstery, Velvet
Mid Century Modern Swivel Lounge Chair Newly Reupholstered in Velvet
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Swivel Lounge Chair Newly Reupholstered in a Holly Hunt Velvet
Velvet
Mid-Century Herman Miller Style Rolling Office Chair
By Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Add iconic Mid-Century Modern style to your workspace with this Herman Miller-style rolling office chair. Featuring clean lines, an ergonomic silhouette, and a timeless design, this ...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Swivel Desk Chair by Andrew Morrison & Bruce Hannah for Knoll
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Lafayette, IN
Arguably one of the most elegant desk chair designs from the mid-century era, this Morrison/Hannah design for Knoll Studios is utilitarian sculpture at its best. Chair features a cur...
Aluminum, Chrome
Retro Vintage Swivel 1970s Scandinavian office swivel chair
By De Sede
Located in Markington, GB
A refined example of 1970s Scandinavian office design, this swivel armchair combines functional ergonomics with the understated elegance characteristic of Danish mid-century furnitu...
Metal
MIM Roma Mid-Century Modern Executive Swivel Chair, Italy
By MIM Roma
Located in Naples, IT
Office armchair with armrests and five-spoke aluminium base with castors, seat and backrest shell made of curved plywood, original foam and skai upholstery. A rare piece of iconic de...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Fritz Hansen Swivel Office Chair
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage modern desk chair boasts a tag underneath with the date 1980 and designer name, "Fritz Hansen." A lovely Danish design ...
Chrome
Uncommon Desk Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Reupholstered in curly lambchop boucle
Bouclé
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The prolific manufacturer has partnered with many of the world’s top designers since opening its doors in 1923. Here are some of the company’s greatest hits, which helped transform the American home and office.
