Architect, designer, and writer George Nelson was a central figure in the mid-century American modernist design movement; and his thoughts influenced not only the furniture we live with, but also how we live.
Nelson came to design via journalism and literature. Upon receiving his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Yale in 1931, he won the Prix de Rome fellowship, and spent his time in Europe writing magazine articles that helped bring stateside recognition to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Gio Ponti, Le Corbusier and other canonical modernist architects.
In the 1940s, Nelson wrote texts that suggested such now-commonplace ideas as open-plan houses, storage walls and family rooms. D.J. De Pree, the owner of the furniture maker Herman Miller, was so impressed by Nelson that in 1944 — following the sudden death of Gilbert Rohde, who had introduced the firm to modern design in the 1930s — he invited Nelson to join the company as its design director. There Nelson’s curatorial design talents came to the fore.
To Herman Miller he brought such eminent creators as Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, and the textile and furniture designer Alexander Girard. Thanks to a clever contract, at the same time as he directed Herman Miller he formed a New York design company, George Nelson & Associates, that sold furniture designs to the Michigan firm. Nelson's studio also sold designs for clocks to the Howard Miller Clock Company, a manufacturer that was initially part of Herman Miller before it became an offshoot that was helmed by Howard Miller, D.J. De Pree's brother-in-law.
Nelson’s New York team of designers (who were rarely individually credited) would create such iconic pieces as the Marshmallow sofa, the Coconut chair, the Ball clock, the Bubble lamp series and the many cabinets and beds that comprise the sleek Thin-Edge line.
For dedicated collectors, as well as for interior designers who look beyond “the look,” there is a “cool factor” inherent to vintage pieces from George Nelson and others. Nelson was in on it from the start, and it’s valuable to have a piece that was there with him.
But still, as is evident from the offerings from dealers on 1stDibs, in any of the designs, in any iteration whose manufacture Nelson oversaw and encouraged, there are shining elements of lightness, elegance, sophistication — and a little bit of swagger. George Nelson felt confident in his ideas about design and didn’t mind letting the world know.
Lane Furniture Nightstand w/ Inlay
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Single end table with cabinet space designed by Lane Furniture. Features delicate rosewood inlay tapered legs and sliding door. Please confirm locati...
Walnut
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Nightstand with Drawer and Open Shelf
Located in Seattle, WA
This vintage mid-century modern nightstand features clean lines, tapered legs, and a warm blonde finish. The design includes a single pull-out drawer with integrated molded wood pul...
Wood
1960s Mid Century Modern Vintage Single Nightstand With Drawer
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Single Nightstand This vintage nightstand is a must-have for anyone looking to add a touch of retro style to their bedro...
Wood
Lane Single Drawer End Table/Nightstand Alta Vista
By Lane Acclaim
Located in Medina, OH
Vintage Lane Alta Vista Side End Table or Nightstand with a Single-Drawer. This piece has been professionally refinished and is ready to be brought into your home for everyday use. ...
Walnut
$1,850
H 25 in W 21.5 in D 16.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Nightstand, End Table, West Michigan Furniture Co Frank Metz
By West Michigan Furniture Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid Century Modern Nightstand, End Table, West Michigan Furniture Co. Ebony, Walnut, Metz One part of a stunning bedroom set. Fully refinished, fine grained walnut with ebonized columns and restored bronze drawer pulls. This lovely, sleek and stylish bedside stand or end table has a single drawer and a lower open compartment. This stand can be purchased with the other pieces from the bedroom set at a discounted price or on its own as is listed here. In 1889 Frank W. Hadden, George P. Hummer and Frank Metz...
Wood
$2,450
H 22.5 in W 36 in D 18 in
Clean Lined Modern Nightstand designed by Harvey Probber Refinished Your Color
By Harvey Probber
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined modern nightstand, designed by Harvey Probber, circa 1960s. This piece is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choice of color. It has a nice, wide sca...
Brass
Kipp Stewart Drexel Declaration Nightstand
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
A stunning figured walnut night stand by Kipp Stewart for the Drexel Declaration line. The top shelf floats above two drawers with handsome porcelai...
Mid Century Modern Nightstand with Drawer
By Bassett Furniture
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern nightstand by Bassett Furniture features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, unique rosewood trim around the edges, single dovetailed drawer with sculpted wood pull, durable Formica top, and tall tapered legs. Matching lowboy dresser with mirror...
Walnut
Single Drawer Teak Nightstand by Gunnar Nielsen
By Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Gunnar Nielsen Manufacturer: Tibergaard Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 18″ wide x 17″ deep x 22.75″ tall, Cubby: 17" wide x 16.5" deep x 8.5" tall...
Teak
$2,500
H 24.25 in W 18 in D 18.5 in
C. 1955 George Nelson Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series Nightstand / End Table
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Nightstand / Cabinet from George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series, originally designed in 1946. This particular example was produced by Herman Miller C. 1955. This piece featu...
Aluminum
George Nelson Thin Edge Rosewood Nightstand
By George Nelson
Located in San Francisco, CA
George Nelson design "Thin Edge" series nightstand for Herman Miller. Made from highly figural rosewood on tapering aluminum legs with a white lacquer cubby and an adjustable shelf. ...
Rosewood
Greta Grossman for Glenn of California Side Table
By Greta Magnusson Grossman, Glenn of California
Located in San Francisco, CA
Greta Magnussen Grossman tiered side table for Glenn of California. A rare form by an iconic designer seldom seen on the market, a tiered table for books, objects or magazines. Made...
Laminate, Walnut
Niels Clausen Nightstands for N.C. Mobler, Denmark
By Arne Vodder
Located in San Francisco, CA
Niels Clausen design rosewood nightstands for N.C. Mobler, Denmark. Sophisticated design by a Danish design master executed in Brazilian rosewood with his signature drawer pull desig...
Rosewood
Danish Nightstands by Johannes Andersen for Dyrlund
By Johannes Andersen, Drylund
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Johannes Andersen design nightstands for Drylund, Denmark. High quality materials and construction techniques combined with simple but elegant Danish design. Newly refinished...
Teak
Paul McCobb Planner Group Side Tables for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Paul McCobb design Planner Group side tables for Winchendon Furniture. Original matched pair in solid maple with brass cone shape pulls, labeled and in very good original con...
Maple
George Nelson Rosewood Thin Edge Dresser
By George Nelson
Located in San Francisco, CA
George Nelson design rosewood thin edge tall chest for Herman Miller. Featuring five drawers, two with fitted dividers on aluminum legs and original...
Aluminum
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.
Maggie and Anne Genovese, of Forsyth, teamed up with fashion designer Nikki Kule to reimagine some classic pieces.
