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.
Steelcase Coalesse Modern Leather and Chrome Bar Stools, Set of Eight
By Coalesse, Steelcase
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of eight contemporary or Modern "Switch" bar stools By Coalesse for Steelcase USA, 2010 Leather upholstered seats and backs, with chrome frames. Measures: 16.5"W x...
Chrome
Steelcase Coalesse Modern Leather and Chrome Bar Stools, Set of Six
By Coalesse, Steelcase
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six contemporary or Modern "Switch" bar stools By Coalesse for Steelcase USA, 2010 Leather upholstered seats and backs, with chrome frames. Measures: 16.5"W x 2...
Chrome
Steelcase Coalesse Modern Leather and Chrome Bar Stools, Set of Four
By Steelcase, Coalesse
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four contemporary or Modern "Switch" bar stools By Coalesse for Steelcase USA, 2010 Leather upholstered seats and backs, with chrome frames. Measures: 16.5"W x ...
Chrome
Steelcase Coalesse Modern Leather and Chrome Bar Stools, Pair
By Coalesse, Steelcase
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of contemporary or Modern "Switch" bar stools By Coalesse for Steelcase USA, 2010 Leather upholstered seats and backs, with chrome frames. Measures: 16.5"W x 20"D...
Chrome
Steelcase Coalesse Modern Leather and Chrome Bar Stool
By Coalesse, Steelcase
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous contemporary or Modern "Switch" bar stool By Coalesse for Steelcase USA, 2010 Leather upholstered seat and back, with chrome frame. Measures: 16.5"W x 20"D x 41.5"H. S...
Chrome
John Widdicomb Style Modern Parsons Leather Dining Chairs, Set of Six
By John Widdicomb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Modern Parsons dining chairs In the manner of John Widdicomb USA, Circa Late 20th Century Maple frames, with beige leather upholstered seats and backs. Meas...
Leather, Maple
Minimal Leather Chrome Cantilever Bar Stools
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of sleek, minimal, post-modern bar stools feature flat bar chrome, cantilever bases with cream leather upholstery.
Chrome
Set of Four Brazilian Leather and Stainless Steel Bar Stools by Fernando Jaeger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of four modern bar stools by Fernando Jaeger (ca. 1990s, Brazil). Composed of stainless steel frames with square foot rests supporting sculptural brown aniline leather seats. Lea...
Stainless Steel
Cattelan Italia "Toto" Modern Adjustable Bar Stools, Set of Six
By Cattelan Italia
Located in Astoria, NY
Set of Six Cattelan Italia Adjustable "Toto" Swivel Bar Stools, each with silver-tone leather seat and back above chrome base, "Made in Italy" labels to undersides. Tallest height: ...
Chrome
Savor Royce Metal Chrome Bar Stool Caress Taupe Leather Century Furniture F
By Century Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Savor Royce Metal Chrome Bar Stool Caress Taupe Leather Century Furniture F. Item features a heavy steel construction, polished chrome finish, taupe leather upholstery, clean moderni...
Steel
Set of Six De Sede DS 218 Bar Stools by Paolo Piva in Nappa Leather
By Paolo Piva, De Sede
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This set of six bar stools with red seats made of high-quality nappa leather is in excellent condition. The leather seats show minimal signs of wear. The cubic frames made of polishe...
Stainless Steel
Set Of 4 Steelcase Coalesse Switch Stools
By Steelcase
Located in Pasadena, TX
Set Of 4 Steelcase Coalesse Switch Stools Made In USA The Switch Collection provides a versatile line of contemporary side, dining, and lounge seat...
Chrome
