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.
Vintage Eames for Herman Miller "Applecore" Time Life Stool Model A
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Time Life Stool A designed by Charles and Ray Eames and produced by Herman Miller in the United States, circa 1960s. Commissioned for the Time-Life Building in New York, Stool A refl...
Walnut
Mid Century Moder Time Life Stool by Charles & Ray Eames
By Ray Eames
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Early example of a Time Life stool by Charles and Ray Eames. Influenced by Rays background as a sculptor. Designed in the 1960s for the Time Life building. This is a very early examp...
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Time Life Stool by Charles & Ray Eames
By Ray Eames
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Early example of a Time Life stool by Charles and Ray Eames. Influenced by Rays background as a sculptor. Designed in the 1960s for the Time Life building. This is a very early examp...
Walnut
Charles and Ray Eames, Time Life Stool, Walnut, USA, 1960s
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in High Point, NC
A turned walnut "Time Life" stool designed by Charles and Ray Eames and produced by Herman Miller, USA, 1960s.
Walnut
Eames Time Life Apple Core A Turned Wood Stool c. 1970's
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Time Life stool, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, made by Herman Miller circa 1970's. This piece is know as the Apple Core, or A, this example is ion good, original conditio...
Wood
A Time Life stool by Charles and Ray
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Time Life stool by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Literature: Eames Design: The Work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames, Neuhart, Neuhart and Eames, ppg. 248-249 Pro...
Walnut
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 15 in Dm 13 in
1970s Ray Eames Time Life Walnut Apple Core Stool Table Chess Plant Stand Rustic
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Patinated 1970s production Herman Miller stool in its original finish. 4 matching stools were acquired at the same time from a Grosse Pointe Michigan Estate. This one is often re...
Walnut
$1,999
H 15 in W 13 in D 13 in
Mid Century Eames Time Life Walnut Stool Model 513 Shape B by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This model 513, or shape "B" walnut stool by Charles and Ray Eames was one of three shapes designed for the lobby of the Time Life building. This design features a pleasing combinati...
Walnut
Charles and Ray Eames Time Life Stools in Walnut for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Dallas, TX
The Eames Walnut Stool series were designed by Ray Eames in 1960 for the lobby of the Time-Life building in New York City. Crafted from solid turned...
Walnut
Eames Walnut Time-Life Stool by Herman Miller 1965
Located in Highland, IN
The model 513, or shape "B" walnut stool by Charles and Ray Eames was one of three shapes designed for the lobby of the Time Life building. This design features a pleasing combinatio...
Walnut
Ettore Sottsass, Dado Stool, model T29, completely original 1960s example
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Ettore Sottsass, Dado Stool, model T29, designed 1963 and manufactured by Poltronova, Italy during the 1960s. The wooden base is painted in brick red paint with a plain walnut top. ...
Wood, Walnut
Nanna Ditzel Teak High Chair Stool, Danish 1960s with Label
By Nanna Ditzel
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Nanna Ditzel teak childs high chair/stool, Danish mid-20th Century, in solid teak with adjustable foot rest and removable safety bar. Originally desi...
Teak
Arthur Espenet Carpenter, "Wishbone” Chair circa 1970s, Stamped
By Arthur Espenet Carpenter
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Arthur Espenet Carpenter, California, USA, circa early 1970s "Wishbone" chair of African Hyedua and brown leather strapping. Stamped to the underside "Espenet", he chose not to sign ...
Leather
George Nakashima, Wepman Table, American Black Walnut, 1984, with documentation
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima (1905-1990) Wepman Occasional or End Table Nakashima Studio, USA, 1984 American black walnut single slab top with two free edges, and sapwood details. 66cm wide, 43c...
Walnut
Luciano Nustrini, PA1 Chair, designed 1957, made by Poltronova
By Luciano Nustrini, Poltronova
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Luciano Nustrini (1928-1999), PA1 Chair, made by Poltronova, Italy 1950s This fabulous little chair is about as 1950s as you can get! Constructed with a curved walnut ply backrest,...
Steel
Franco Albini, Luisella Chair for Poggi, Italy 1950s, model SD9
By Franco Albini and Franca Helg, Poggi
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Designed by Franco Albini and Franca Helg and manufactured in Italy by Poggi in the late 1950s, the Luisa and Luisella chairs have become icons of Italian mid-century design. The fr...
Fabric, Walnut
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.
