| You may not be familiar with the name George | | | | whimsical touch all his own. |
| Nelson, but if you like retro modern furniture | | | | The Marshmallow Sofa, created for Herman Miller |
| styles you're almost certainly a fan of his work. | | | | in 1956, became one of the icons of the period. |
| Universally recognized as one of the founding | | | | Created of 18 apparently free-floating cushions |
| fathers of modernism, Nelson created designs | | | | strategically affixed to a streamlined metal frame, |
| that forever changed how people relate to their | | | | the sofa combined comfort and efficiency in a |
| homes and the objects in them. | | | | revolutionary new style. This lighthearted take on |
| Nelson's remarkable career spanned 50 years and | | | | seating, which was one of the forerunners of the |
| included success as an architect, author, publisher, | | | | 1960s pop art movement, is still manufactured |
| teacher, and designer. His work was based on the | | | | today. |
| perspective of finding solutions to the problems of | | | | The Coconut Chair, also created for Herman Miller |
| modern life, and the concepts on which he based | | | | and introduced in the mid-fifties, is among Nelson's |
| his designs remain as popular and vital today as | | | | best known designs. Named for its resemblance |
| they were during the mid century years. | | | | to a quartered coconut, the chair consists of a |
| Though remembered by most for his enduring | | | | curved, cushioned triangular shell perched on a |
| designs in home furnishings and accessories, | | | | simple chrome framework. The chair's remarkable |
| Nelson actually played a seminal role in developing | | | | comfort makes it a perennial favorite, and its |
| the modern view of what a home is and how it | | | | simple styling makes it a perfect addition to any |
| should work. In his book "Tomorrow's House", | | | | modern room. |
| which he co-authored with Henry Wright, he | | | | The Nelson Bench, a precise geometric |
| introduced the concept of the family room. | | | | arrangement of pale wood slats on an open yet |
| He also pioneered the idea of the storage wall, | | | | sturdy square base, was introduced in 1948. A |
| forever changing the way we utilize interior | | | | true multi-purpose design, the bench could serve |
| spaces. Creating modular wall storage provided a | | | | as seating, platform, or table, and was |
| way for homeowners to revel in post-war | | | | constructed to provide maximum durability and |
| prosperity while maintaining the clean, uncluttered | | | | efficiency while maintaining a light and airy look. |
| look characteristic of modernism. | | | | The Nelson Bench is a ubiquitous part of both |
| However the remarkable furniture and | | | | public and private decor today. |
| accessories Nelson designed remain his most | | | | Nelson's innovative designs in home accessories, |
| lasting legacy. Working with the renowned Herman | | | | particularly his oversized, stylized wall clocks, |
| Miller company throughout the mid century period, | | | | quickly became icons of mid century style. His |
| Nelson introduced a totally new way of looking at | | | | Sunburst Clocks, Starburst Clocks, and Ball Clocks |
| home furnishing. His designs combined the sleek, | | | | are still widely available. |
| uncluttered simplicity of modernism with a | | | | |