The Michigan-based furniture maker Steelcase has a long and distinguished history, but collectors focus on its vintage office furniture and desk chairs from the 1950s to the ’70s, when, along with such companies as Knoll and Herman Miller, the firm helped define the aesthetics of American mid-century modernism.
Steelcase was founded in Grand Rapids in 1912 as the Metal Office Furniture Company, promoting steel desks and other furnishings as safer, fireproof alternatives to wooden pieces at a time when smoking in the workplace was common. Boston’s first skyscraper — the 32-story Customs House — was furnished by the company in 1915. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect and furniture designer whose work had a profound influence on the shape of modern life, turned to the firm in 1937 to fabricate the enameled metal chairs and desks for his Johnson Wax Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin.
In the 1950s, when Steelcase formally adopted the name it still uses today, the company developed a sleek and functional style employing rectilinear chrome frames for glass-topped tables and upholstered seating pieces. The look is similar to that of the minimal, Bauhaus-inspired designs of Florence Knoll, another icon of furniture design who helped shape the ethos of the postwar business world.
By the 1970s, Steelcase had enlivened its styling, offering such pieces as chairs and side tables designed by Gardner Leaver, with circular bases and curving supports. As you will see on these pages, Steelcase designs offer a perfect foundation for a modernist decor, with a touch of flair.
Find vintage Steelcase furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid-century Office Chairs by Steelcase
By Steelcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four armchairs by Steelcase Furniture. Polished chrome frames are sturdy and modern. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Chrome
Mid Century Charles Pollock Style Steelcase Rolling Office Chair
By Steelcase
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid Century Charles Pollock Style Steelcase Rolling Office Chair. Measures 24" in width, 24" in depth and 36" in height. Seat height is 19" and armheight 27.5". Seat interior width i...
Chrome
$3,133 / set
H 35.44 in W 23.63 in D 27.56 in
Stackable arm chairs in mid century style, modern and made new.
Located in Best, NL
Designed by Jacob Nitz for Bogaerts, this set of four brand-new armrest dining chairs combines refined materials with a contemporary, lightweight aesthetic. The seats feature a walnu...
Steel
Mid-century Angular Metal Lounge Chairs by Steelcase
By Steelcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs by Steelcase Inc. Sleek angular design reminiscent of Florence Knoll. Sturdy metal frames support spacious seating areas which are covered in...
Metal
$10,601 / set
H 33.08 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Roland Rainer's set of 8 mid century modern stacking chairs model P7
By Roland Rainer
Located in Milano, IT
COD-CV-151 Roland Rainer (1910-2004) Set of 8 mid century modern stacking chairs model P7 in curved plywood. Manufacture Emil & Al...
Wood
Chairs model Alu-Flex by Armin Wirth, circa 1965
By Armin Wirth
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Set of six "Alu-Flex" chairs by Swiss designer Armin Wirth. Originally designed for a school, these chairs are stackable, with cast aluminum legs and molded plywood seats and backre...
Metal
Walter Leeman Mikado Chair 1970s
By Walter Leeman
Located in Čelinac, BA
Kusch and Co chair Mikado by Walter Leeman 1970s
Chrome
$4,804 / set
H 31.11 in W 18.51 in D 19.69 in
CASALINO Chairs, Alexander Begge, Casala, 1970s, Vintage
By Alexander Begge, Casala
Located in Neuss, NW
CASALINO chairs by Alexander Begge for Casala from the 1970s. High-quality frame made of Leguval in off white. The seat has been re-upholstered and covered with a high-quality fabric...
Plastic
T Katavolos, Kelley and Littell 1960 chairs, set of 10
Located in Milano, Lombardia
T Katavolos chairs, set of 10. Model “T” chairs, designed by William Katavolos, Douglas Kelley and Ross Littell for ICF De Padova in 1960. The project represents one of the most adva...
Metal
$3,500
H 32 in W 22.5 in D 28 in
1970s Techfab Chromcraft Lounge Chairs Eames Knoll Herman Arthur Umanoff style
By Chromcraft
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Techfab chromcraft lounge chairs. Original Vinyl Upholstery in very nice condition. Arms are optional. Easily removable as shown in last photos. In the manner of Herman Miller Alexander Girard, Charles Eames, Milo Baughman Price is for the PAIR. History of Arnold Defense From sprockets to rockets: Our diverse manufacturing history It may surprise you to learn that our company originally manufactured trendy dinette sets and household furniture in a large factory on Semple Avenue in St. Louis...
Metal
Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Cantilever Dining Lounge Chairs Barbara Barry Boucle
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman, Barbara Barry
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Set of four signed Milo Baughman sculptural cantilever dining arm chairs newly professionally re-upholstered with very soft and textural high end luxury curly boucle fabric by Barbar...
Metal
Milo Baughman Style Mid-Century Modern Tubular Chrome Dining Chairs, 1970's
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautiful set of four Mid-Century Modern chrome frame dining chairs featuring a sculptural tubular back design. Newly upholstered in Italian black velvet fabric with new seat and ba...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Style High Back Lounge Club Chairs, Pair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of sleek Mid-Century Modern inspired high-back lounge chairs by Studio A for Global Views. These custom-made chairs have been newly reupholstered in a neutral textural Kravet p...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
DIA Chrome and Pink Channel Back Dining Chairs, Design Institute America 1980
By Design Institute America
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Set of four sculptural post modern dining chairs by DIA, Design Institute America. Sculptural channeled backs and seats feature original pink Ultrasuede upholstery and chrome flat ba...
Ultrasuede
Milo Baughman Style Dining Chair Frames, Pair
By Milo Baughman, Roche Bobois
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of brass plated dining chair frames in the style of Milo Baughman.
Brass, Metal
Signed Cleo Baldon Terra Wrought Iron Bar Counter X Stools Mid Century Modern
By Cleo Baldon, Terra
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of rare Campaign style / X-Bar or Counter Stools (model number XBS-35) by Southern California architect/designer Cleo Baldon/Terra Furniture. Designed in 1964, constructed of wr...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
