George Nelson for Herman Miller Living Room Set

George Nelson for Herman Miller living room set, 1960s, United States.

Very fine living room set by George Nelson (1908-1986) for Herman Miller. This sofa has a metal frame with square chrome-plated legs, the seats are in wonderful thick off-white grey cotton upholstery. The tufted back has some traits of Classic furniture whereas the design of the sofa's are very minimal, functional and sharp. The tables are a wonderful match with the two and three-seat.

George Nelson (1908-1986) was an architect, writer, lecturer and designer who was one of the first to pick up Industrial Design in the United States. Nelson fundamentally questioned the basis of furniture business. After initial reluctance Nelson came to work as a designer and director at Herman Miller in 1944. Here, Nelson rejected the purely market-oriented type of business model that was predominant in the furniture sector and plead only to make furniture of which he was completely convinced: the rest would follow. In his first year at Miller, he produced 77 designs. Nelson believed furthermore that the industrial designer brought together all the arts. His designs are recognized by open shapes, clean lines and modest forms.