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.
1990s Bill Stumpf for Herman Miller Equa Office / Desk Chair in Leather
By Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Equa Desk Chair, originally designed by Bill Stumpf for Herman Miller. These particular examples date to the 1990s. The chairs have a full dark brown leather upholstered s...
Aluminum
1998 Geoff Hollington Executive Desk Chair w/ High Back in Leather Model HC150
By Herman Miller, Geoff Hollington
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Hollington Executive Office Chairs, initially designed by Geoff Hollington for Herman Miller in 1989. These examples date to 1998, and the listed price includes one chair. ...
Aluminum
2003 Knoll Sapper High Back Swivel Office Chair by Richard Sapper in Leather
By Knoll, Richard Sapper
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Sapper Executive Desk chair, originally designed by Richard Sapper for Knoll in 1979. This example dates to 2003. The piece is comprised of ...
Steel
1998 Geoff Hollington for Herman Miller Executive Desk Chair w/ Low Back Leather
By Herman Miller, Geoff Hollington
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Hollington Office Chairs, initially designed by Geoff Hollington for Herman Miller in 1989. These examples date to 1998. The listed price includes one chair, and we have tw...
Aluminum
1996 Herman Miller Eames Soft Pad Executive Desk Chair Brown Leather 5x Avail
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Soft Pad Executive Chair, Model EA437, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1968. This particular example was produced by Herman Miller in ...
Aluminum, Steel
2003 Herman Miller Eames Soft Pad Executive Desk Chair in Black Leather
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Eames Aluminum Group Executive-Height Soft Pad Desk Chair, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller in 1969. These particular examples date to 2003. ...
Aluminum
Vintage Herman Miller Equa Executive Office Chair in Black Leather.
By Herman Miller
Located in Tarrytown, NY
This is an Equa high back executive office chair designed by Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick first introduced in the 80's. This chair has an original manufacturer's label from the 90's....
Aluminum
Don Chadwick Bill Stumpf Herman Miller black leather Equa chair
By Herman Miller, Don Chadwick
Located in Ferndale, MI
Herman Miller Equa swivel , tilt , height adjustable office / desk / task chair . Designed by Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick who famously 10 years lat...
Aluminum
Executive Leather Office Chair by Otto Zapf for Knoll
By Knoll, Otto Zapf
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. USA. Black leather upholstery with padded cushions
Leather
1993 Herman Miller Eames Soft Pad Management Desk Chair Original Black Leather
By Herman Miller
Located in Wilton, CT
Designed by Ray and Charles and manufactured by Herman Miller, these Management Height Black Leather Soft Pad chairs epitomize the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic. A seamless integratio...
Aluminum, Steel
Don Chadwick Bill Stumpf for Herman Miller Equa 2 swivel tilt task chair
By Herman Miller, Don Chadwick
Located in Ferndale, MI
Herman Miller swivel , tilt , height adjustable office / desk / task chair . The Equa chair designed by Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick who famously 10 years later collaborated on the c...
Aluminum
Eames Time Life Executive Desk Chair in Bordeaux Leather by Herman Miller
Located in Stamford, CT
The Eames Executive Chair, or the Time Life Chair as we much prefer to call it, has always been our favorite Eames design. Originally created for the Time & Life Building in 1960, th...
Aluminum
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.
