Does anyone know why they stopped producing the George Nelson Steelframe line made for Herman Miller? I am particularly fond of this style of his. I think I like it's rarity but most of all the contrast between all the colors and the either black or white steel and formica tops. It is similar in style to the Eames ESU series but I see very little people collecting Nelson's or maybe I just not looking enough.
I've been trying to find images of interiors where this style is used. Anyone have images to share? There's a lot of this design applied to the original Eichler house kitchens and built in furniture and shelving. In my opinion
a perfect match to all those steel house prototypes.
If you haven't watch this you should. But this style can be seen on this video at around 08:17 of this video. Some of it is Nelson's furniture. It's a film called "The American Look" from the 1958.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9118785157777261461&hl=en#
Also I know that Vista Furniture of California made furniture in this style too but I have found very little of it. Anyone know anything about this company? where they just knocking off Nelson designs?
Here are some from Vista Furniture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandiv999/2913821050/
I Believe this is vista too but not sure. The handles are definitely not Nelson's:
<img class="wpforo-default-image-attachment
Herman Miller
usually discontinued pieces only when thye sales dipped below expectations.
Based on what I've read, I believe that the Steelframe group was not a huge success and sold mainly to families who used them in their kids rooms.
I like the Steelframe group, but I prefer the Basic Storage and Thin Edge groups more.
Also, the Eames ESU group was not a success, either.
By the way, I was trying to get Herman Miller to reissue 3 or 4 Basic Storage Pieces to go with the bench, as well as stand alone with legs since there isn't a whole lot good chests of drawers available these days.
I have always been fond of...
I have always been fond of the Nelson Steelframe series too. I am actually looking for a desk if anyone has/knows of a cheap one - can have it shipped to family in NY 😉
The ESU series is also great, prices are high in Europe so the poor original sales figures have probably helped to push up prices now.
Not for every taste definitely
Most people think it's too rough and generic, which it is really, but that's what I like about it. That is the reason why I also like Eichler homes and its generic look.
Barry, where did you read about it being used mostly for kids? I'd like to read more on the subject.
I also spotted what can possibly be a Vista Furniture chest drawer (because of the handles) on this video of the Disney Monsato House of the future. Take a look at minute 7:41 into the movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoCCO3GKqWY&feature=player_embedded
Anyone has any info on Vista Furniture?
Not what I ment
To the eyes of those who don't like Eichler homes it may seem generic. I love them and to me, they are not generic at all.
But what I'm trying to dig is more of the Nelson and Vista steelframes. Perhaps vista kept exploring this look after Herman Miller discontinued them?
I uploaded some images of the vista furniture I've found. I can't recall where they came from but they were selling them online. Notice the Handles.
vista/esu
Hi, I have (what I believe to be) a vista 8 drawer unit that I wanted to be more like a ESU, so I pulled out the top six drawers and formica top and replaced with plywood. Then I did not want to throw away the drawers, so I hung them on the wall for storage. My pulls are different from what you have pictured but most likely a Vista piece.
I don't know anything about vista, but a few years ago they used to be a fairly common find...I guess I am not the only one who appreciates them.
ok...don't laugh!
Here are a few pic's. The 2 remaining drawers on unit are the original (wall papered?) green. I painted the handles black to match the steel frame. The ply is natural finish with a few coats of satin poly. I had some panels I cut for the back, but with all the wires from the electronics I did not put them on. Now, the 6 extra drawers I completely refinished, now walnut exterior with white interior...kind of shadow boxy effect on wall...excuse all the junk.
So, have you seen these pulls before on Vista pieces?
Great!
That's very clever setag. I think it looks sweet. I see you have a turntable there and at first I was trying to figure out how you'd put some records in but I guess the plywoods slide just like the drawers huh? Bang & Olufsen did some storage units for their system that included a turntable and the turntable slot slides right out just like yours.
All in all I think it looks good even the drawers. I would have never thought of that. The good thing is you could still put everything back together. I'd be afraid to do this to a Nelson unit but to this one I think it's valid.
Thanks so much for sharing. Now we got more different handles/pulls. Could this be Vista too?
From what I read
back in the 1950's, the Steelframe and ESU were not popular due to them being too cold, sterile and metalic for most modern people's home usage. But, as stated before, they did sell for kid's rooms.
Similarly, the business world didn't find them appropriate, either, so they were discontinued when the sales fell below acceptable levels.
Some of the steelframe seating, however, sold in office waiting rooms, banks, etc. They were available while they were selling.
The steelframe handles are quite rock solid. The ESU pieces were somewhat fragile - it was the masonite - and vintage specimens are rare and valued highly these days.
Companies like Herman Miller and Knoll kept their products available as long as they sold, except when the manufacturing process was problematic.
Ok Just for reference here's...
Ok Just for reference here's some stuff I pulled out. The first two images are from the Disneyland Monsanto's Home of the Future Promotional Video. As you can see the handles/pulls on it appear to be similar to those Vista I've found.
The third image is from the "American Look" (1958) Film by Chevrolet. I believe those are Nelson's. There is a side table, a small desk/table, and a 5 drawer. The coffee table is possibly his too.
Just making up a story here but the "American Look" film was done in 1958 possibly the end of production for this Nelson line and not sure when this Disney video was done, but possibly done after Vista took over the design? (hence the different handles). The Monsanto home was an attraction from 1957 to 1967. Vista possibly made them starting in the 1960's? I don't know...
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