Nelson Open Cabinet with Drawer by Herman Miller designed by George Nelson
At A Glance: The Nelson Basic Cabinet Series includes this beautiful, precise little cabinet with one drawer - the perfect place to stash mail, keys, or those sunglasses you're forever losing track of just when you need them. A flexible element of the Basic Cabinet Series, this piece can be mounted on the Platform Bench or given black-stained wood legs to stand on its own. Similar to the aesthetic of some of George Nelson's other work, the cabinets in this series draw on some of his influences in Japanese design, and the wood legs express that style. Choose from rift-sawn natural oak or light brown walnut veneers to suit your taste.
George Nelson's vision was a living space full of things that had purpose and place but were flexible enough to change. In 1955 he stated, "People today no longer inhabit large houses with large rooms ... furniture has to fit these new dimensions comfortably and gracefully. Moreover, it has to be flexible." He created the Basic Cabinet Series in that spirit, and it has now been re-introduced by Herman Miller after being out of production since 1958.
What's To Like: The simple, Japanese-inspired lines of this cabinet give it a serene presence in your home - unlike furniture with more ornamentation, it's able to blend in anywhere you place it. The only time it'll draw attention to itself is when you use it; that's when you'll notice how well-crafted it is.
What's Not to Like: Almost $800 bucks for a cabinet seems a bit much to us, but if you're looking for Mid-Century Modern, the alternatives out there don't get much cheaper.
The Bottom Line: The Nelson Basic Cabinet Series simply reminds us that less is more, and that Herman Miller makes some of the finest furniture out there. Despite its price, the Nelson Open Cabinet with Drawer is no exception. It's versatile, sturdy, and built to heirloom-quality standards.
Details:
Overall: 16.5" h (22" h with legs) x 19" w x 18.5" d
Exquisite touches such as turned aluminum alloy drawer pull
Rich veneers add warmth and beauty
Can be mounted on the Nelson Platform Bench or choose wood legs to rest it on the floor
The Herman Miller Nelson Open Cabinet is also known by the following manufacturer Item Number: BC1618.B.
George Nelson When writing about the course of his remarkable 50-year career, George Nelson described a series of creative "zaps" - moments of out-of-the-blue inspiration "when the solitary individual finds he is connected with a reality he never dreamed of." It was these zaps that would lead to the creation of some of the most original furniture designs of the 20th century - including the Coconut Chair, the Marshmallow Sofa, and the Basic Cabinet Series.
An early zap came in the 1930s, when he was an architectural student in Rome. Before returning home, an idea struck him: He would travel Europe and interview leading modern architects, hoping to get the articles published in the U.S. He succeeded, and in the process introduced the U.S. design community to the European avant-garde. This set in motion a sequence of what he called "lucky" career breaks that were really the inevitable outcomes of his brilliance as a designer, teacher, and author.
Herman Miller is an industry leader in the integration of cutting edge technology to furniture and other household items to make everyday life more comfortable, convenient, and stylish. Herman Miller stands out at the forefront of such fields as ergonomic technologies, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, and customizable furniture items.
In addition to producing some of the most outstanding office furniture in the world, Herman Miller has also taken on the responsibility of manufacturing some of the most celebrated furniture designs by some of the world's most famous designs. These "modern classics" include works by Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, and Isamu Noguchi. Herman Miller celebrates these famous mid-century designers' works through its extraordinarily precise manufacturing techniques and industry-leading green production processes.
Herman Miller is a global company with operations, sales offices, dealers, and licensees in more than 40 countries in North America, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, serving customers virtually anywhere in the world. Herman Miller is headquartered in Zeeland, Michigan, while manufacturing facilities are located in the U.S., China, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
Standard Shipping Service: Free Inside Delivery: $0.00 Inside delivery is a cost effective way to have large, heavy items delivered inside your home or office when you just do not want to be bothered by moving and lifting. When your order reaches the local station in your area, you will be contacted to schedule a delivery appointment (with a 4-5 hour window).
Shipping Upgrades: White Glove: $99.00 White Glove service is our deluxe delivery option. This service includes a delivery appointment, placement inside your room of choice (two flights or 20 stairs max), unpacking, set up (up to 30 minutes without tools) and debris removal. Designed to be a no hassle delivery experience!
When you order this item, you have to specify whether you want it to be a bench-mount or standalone version. At this time, there isn't a way for the customer to switch it from a bench-mount configuration to a standalone version with legs.
Answered on 10/11/2010 by Gil from Smart Furniture
