Classic and newly designed desks and storage components balance the buzz of home activities with the beauty of design
Herman Miller is responding to the ways individuals balance daily tasks at home by providing smart furnishings for a variety of lifestyles. Known for its high-performance work environments and mid-century modern furnishings, the company will introduce the Lifework Portfolio, a line of five signature desks and multiple storage units designed for the home. The collection will be publicly unveiled at the 2008 International Contemporary Furniture Fair, at New York's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, May 17-20.
Lifework is a new term coined by Herman Miller in response to the growing range and volume of activities taking place in the home, including professional work, personal computing and correspondence, pc-based games and entertainment, paying bills, or schoolwork. Recognizing the need to create a hub for these activities, Herman Miller has developed a holistic experience of honest design and practical, efficient solutions for individuals and families.
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The company pursued a research-driven approach to home-based work styles, with a commitment to purposeful quality design. Herman Miller challenged four award-winning design firms--Kaiju Studios, Industrial Facility, Blu Dot, and Korb+Korb--to address intelligent home integration and elegant use of space.
According to Marg Mojzak, director of Herman Miller for the Home, the desk is no longer confined to the home office. "The desk has migrated to a variety of living spaces and has become the site of miscellaneous technologies, cords, and documents," she said. "The Lifework Portfolio responds to the demand for functional and stylish contemporary work spaces that can harmonize with any area of the home."
Cord management, dual surfaces, storage, and room to organize are characteristics of the Lifework Portfolio that adapt to the ways people work and live. Products from the portfolio carry trim, versatile dimensions, including natural materials and finishes, which complement an array of living spaces and aesthetics.
"We chose to create an eclectic portfolio of products to support a mix of needs and tastes," added Paula Kendra, senior product manager for Lifework Portfolio. "From the classic desk and storage designs of Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson to the products from designers new to Herman Miller, we want our audience to have a beautifully designed, quality product that provides a sense of satisfaction when they sit down to complete a task."
Airia
Designed by Kaiju Studios, the Airia desk and media cabinet reflect a balance of function and simplicity. Its elegant form and high-performance laminate top are enhanced by a walnut veneer. A secondary surface displays peripherals to keep the work surface clutter-free, while cables remain concealed in its housing.
Enchord
London-based Industrial Facility created an elegant and intuitive desk solution with two work surfaces. The top surface, available in oak or white laminate, floats above a lower surface, available in white or pesto green, that provides simple open storage and wire management. The desk may be complemented with a mobile cabinet for work materials, supplies, and peripheral computer equipment.
Cognita
Blu Dot solves for seating and organization with the Cognita storage bench. It includes two drawers, a catch-all supply tray and room for high density filing. Cognita may be paired with a desk or stand alone within the residential environment. It is available in an attractive walnut veneer finish and three cushion color options.
Sense
Herman Miller is introducing North American consumers to the work of Swiss design firm Korb+Korb through its intuitive design concept called Sense. It offers height-adjustable legs for ergonomic support and tool-free assembly. Companion items for Sense include a refined desktop storage cabinet with sliding doors and a media cabinet for filing and display. The elegant walnut finish and white doors accentuate Sense and add to its European flair.
Eames
The Eames desk and storage unit collection originally was unveiled in 1949 by Charles and Ray Eames at an exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts. It forever changed the home office landscape with its mix of bright colors and dimpled plywood panels. Reflecting classic, mid-century modern design, the Eames desk and storage units remain versatile and timeless.
Nelson
Introduced in 1958, the swag leg group by George Nelson is known for the distinctive design of its legs. Nelson insisted that they be metal, machine formed, and pre-finished. Swaging--using pressure to taper and curve a metal tube--proved the best way to produce the legs, which are 16-gauge steel and have adjustable glides. Its comeback in 2007 included a makeover of the Nelson desk, with a cable access hole for wires, two pencil drawers, and cubby holes decorated with brightly painted hardwood dividers.
"The collection of designs is a wonderful expression of Herman Miller's rich archive of renowned furniture pieces and our commitment to new contemporary design--stylishly serving real needs in today's busy modern home," added Kendra.
Lifework Portfolio desks and storage components carry a one-year warranty and will be available in August 2008 from certified Herman Miller Lifework Portfolio retailers throughout the United States and Canada. The list prices for items in the portfolio range from $346-$3,408.
About Herman Miller, Inc.
The designs and services of Herman Miller enhance the performance of human habitats worldwide, making customers' lives more productive, rewarding, delightful, and meaningful. The company's award-winning products, complemented by furniture management and strategic consulting services, generated over $1.9 billion in revenue during fiscal 2007. Widely recognized both for its innovative products and business practices, Herman Miller is a recipient of the prestigious National Design Award for product design from the Smithsonian Institution's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, and in 2008 was once again cited by FORTUNE magazine as both the "Most Admired" company in its industry and among the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America. The company trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol MLHR.
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