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.
$12,500
H 27.56 in W 147.64 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Italian Modular Lounge Sofa in New Bouclé, 1970s, Set of 5 Elements
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Italian Modular Lounge Sofa in New Bouclé, 1970s, Set of 5 Elements A stunning example of Italian mid-century modern design, this five-piece modular lounge sofa from the...
Upholstery, Beech
Burkhard Vogtherr for Rosenthal 'Vario Pillo' Modular Sofa
By Albert Rosenthal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Burkhard Vogtherr for Rosenthal, model 'Vario Pillo', modular sofa, Germany, 1970s This exuberant buildable sofa is designed by Burkhard Vogtherr. A very rare type of modular sofa w...
Fabric, Plastic
Vintage Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Offered here is a rare and highly collectible “Model 0693” Sofa, designed by George Nelson as part of his visionary Modular Seating System for Herman Miller, produced between 1956 an...
Metal
$10,237
H 28.75 in W 149.61 in D 74.81 in
Mid-Century Modern Modular Sofa, Fabric and Chrome, 1970s - New Upholstery
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Modular Sofa, Fabric and Chrome, 1970s - New Upholstery
Chrome
Mario Bellini, Modular Sofa, Fabric, Metal, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in High Point, NC
A green fabric and metal modular sofa, model Camaleonda, designed by Mario Bellini and produced by B&B Italia, Italy, c. 1970s. Some staining on fabric. One fastener on one seat cus...
Metal
$5,995
H 31.5 in W 157 in D 90 in
Vintage Mid Century Postmodern 6 Piece Modular Section Sofa by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Postmodern 6 Piece Modular Section Sofa by Drexel Vintage MCM Postmodern 6pc modular sectional Sofa Manufactured by Drexel. Comes with two scalloped end armchairs, 3 armless...
Fabric
$10,825 / set
H 24.41 in W 114.18 in D 31.5 in
Modular Sofa by Rodolfo Bonetto for Tecnosalotto, 1960s
By Rodolfo Bonetto, Tecnosalotto
Located in bruxelles, BE
Sofa in fabric, metal and plastic. Fully modular. Stamped on the underside of each element. Dimensions of one element: H: 62 cm W: 80 cm D: 80 cm Seat height: 38 cm. Ottoman: H: 38 c...
Metal
Wonderful Eight Piece Sectional Sofa Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful eight-piece sectional sofa. This set will need to be re-upholstered but that's what you designers are looking for anyway-right? We have several other sectionals in this sty...
Upholstery
$57,200
H 30.12 in W 90.56 in D 30.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Forma Sofa by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1956
By Rare Form
Located in New York, NY
A sofa designed in 1955 and produced by Forma, the company directed by Carlo Hauner (1927-1996) and Martin Eisler (1913-1977). The piece is an important item of Brazilian design an...
Fabric, Rosewood
Mid-Century Nine Piece Modular ‘Hochbarett’ Sofa by Karl Wittman
By Knoll, Wittmann, Mario Bellini, De Sede, Karl Wittmann
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century large modular ‘Hochbarett’ sofa. This sofa was produced by Karl Wittman for Wittman Möbelwerkstätten, made in Austria circa 1970s. There are nine total pieces, seven stra...
Leather, Foam
Bernt Petersen Modular Sofa in Oak and Saga 180 Fabric, Denmark, 1980
By Bernt Petersen
Located in Hellouw, NL
Bernt Petersen modular sofa in oak and saga 180 fabric from Denmark 1980. This modular sofa can be placed in multiple positions, in total adding to a sofa of ~316 cm. The brown/grey ...
Fabric, Oak
Frits Henningsen "Box Sofa" in Mahogany, Denmark 1940s, 1940's
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Hellouw, NL
A rare box sofa by Danish cabinetmaker Frits Henningsen, dating from around the 1940s. Its enclosed wooden frame and carefully shaped upholstery reflect Henningsen’s refined approach...
Mahogany
Curved Oak Sofa by Guillerme et Chambron, France 1960s
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Hellouw, NL
A refined example of French post-war design, this modular oak sofa by Guillerme et Chambron captures the designers' distinctive balance between craftsmanship and sculptural form. Pro...
Fabric, Oak
Finn Juhl Model 137 Sofa for France & Søn, Denmark 1950s
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Hellouw, NL
A beautifully resolved design by one of Denmark’s leading modernists, this Model 137 sofa by Finn Juhl was produced in the 1950s by France & Søn. It reflects Juhl’s sculptural approa...
Fabric, Teak
Set of Two Sofa's and Storage Elements by Giuseppe Rivadossi, Italy 1970s
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Hellouw, NL
There is a calm authority to this set by Rivadossi. Two low benches and two integrated storage elements come together in a composition that feels architectural rather than decorative...
Fabric, Oak
Two-Seater Sofa Model “Satan” By Bernard Govin For Ligne Roset, France 1970s
By Ligne Roset, Bernard Govin
Located in Hellouw, NL
Two-Seater Sofa Model “Satan” By Bernard Govin For Ligne RosetThe French designer Bernard Govin is known for his wide range of futuristic designs for, for example, Ligne Roset. Far a...
Leather
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.
