1. The Charles and Ray Eames Foundation - Committed to preserving the home, studio, and legacy of the Charles and Ray, the foundation offers a rewarding and inspiring way to be a part of their creativity. Members are hosted annually at an appreciation event at the Eames House and enjoy a number exciting benefits. Join the Eames Foundation here.

2. Eames Molded Wood Side Chair - Herman Miller carries on the innovative legacy of Charles and Ray — combining their classic design with new technology and three beautiful wood finishes. Choose from white ash, walnut, or santos palisander atop 4-leg, wire, or wood dowel bases. They are sure to enhance any space, from dining room to living room to office. Available now from Herman Miller.

3. Giant House of Cards - Updated and enlarged, this new version of the classic Eames House of Cards is the perfect patio or sun porch activity. Pick a sunny afternoon and construct your own unique and colorful structures. Each set contains 20 die-cut, 11″ x 7″ cards. Find them at the Eames Office.

4. Eames Desk Unit - Debuting in 1949 at the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Eames Desk mixes architectural and industrial elements, like a workspace extension of their iconic Case Study home in California. The desk includes a spacious desktop, storage cubby and a file drawer. Choose from neutral or vibrant color schemes. Get yours at Herman Miller.

*Add the complementary and iconic Eames Storage Unit to expand your workspace even further.

5. Music for the Films of Charles & Ray Eames, Elmer Bernstein - Produced from archival recordings, this album presents four scores composed by Elmer Bernstein for the films of Charles and Ray Eames, including Toccata for Toy Trains, House: After Five Years of Living, the Polavision Vignettes, and Westinghouse in Alphabetical Order. A must-have for any fan of Eames or Bernstein. Get it from the Eames Office.

6. Eames Molded Plastic Chairs in Fiberglass - Thanks to the careful development of a sustainable fiberglass — both in production and at the end of its life thanks to Herman Miller’s new “Take Back” program — Herman Miller can both honor its commitment to the environment and return this classic look and feel to the Eames Molded Plastic Chair. Coming in August, with nine rich, vintage colors to choose from. Learn more about their debut at Herman Miller.

1. Vesper Notes App, Q Branch - The internet was all a’Twitter this week about Vesper, a new note-taking app for iOS. Unlike similar apps, Vesper offers the capability to group and organize notes, photos and more in whatever way you wish, with no preset system. Bring your mobile productivity to a new level of personal customization. Download it from Apple’s App Store.

2. Setu Chair, Studio 7.5 - Setu Chair is ready to go to work immediately. There’s no set-up, just roll it into your chosen space and have a seat. Setu’s Kinematic Spine will flex and flow with you while you work; its Lyris 2 fabric provides air circulation and balanced weight distribution. Fluid movement and curve-conforming support. Get great finishes and material colors at Herman Miller.

3. Lihit Lab Teffa Bag in Bag - This is your mobile, handheld office designed to keep everything in its place. With seven sections on the front, it’s perfect for phone, writing implements, and journals. Unzip it and slide in a notebook, magazine, and even your iPad or tablet. There are even two more pockets on the back for paper, cards, and more. It’s durable and robust in polyester with a choice of four colors. Get yours at JetPens.

4. Aeron Chair, Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick - You know its name, you know its reputation — form-fitting support that can adapt to your every curve and every move while keeping you cool and collected. Everywhere you roll, whether at home, office or small business, Aeron is the everywhere chair. Customize yours at Herman Miller.

5. Waterproof Waxed Canvas Lunch Bag - Sourced and made in the USA, this is a serious lunch bag, made to last. Handmade with waxed canvas, it keeps its shape and closes securely with an oil-tanned leather strap and brass buckle. The days of brown bagging it are over (unless you choose brown canvas, of course). There’s orange, blue, and slate, too. From Kaufmann Mercantile.

6. Embody Chair, Bill Stumpf and Jeff Weber - Experience a work chair that aids external and internal comfort — everywhere. Embody’s advanced design supports your posture and body-movements, yielding improved blood and oxygen flow that enables the brain to focus. You’ll be cool, you’ll be creative, you’ll be amazed. Get them at Herman Miller.

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It’s certainly a tale of good luck, a good deal, and good design. And just for the record, the video interview of the couple calls Herman Miller’s founder “J.D. Du Pree” (it’s D.J. De Pree, but we won’t hold it against anyone) and refers to Charles Eames as “Chuck,” but it’s still a remarkable story that we think would have made them both smile. Check it out here.

The space is there to help make managing the conference easier. But it also happens to showcase — in quite a vivid way — some of our newest offerings and updated designs. Notably, anchoring the plaza-like setting is a long Layout Studio Table surrounded by Eames Aluminum Group Management Chairs upholstered in vibrant Alexander Girard Hopsak material. Along the sides, Eames Sofa Compact designs in classic Maharam Pressed Plaid join Nelson Pedestal Tables and new Eames Molded Fiberglass Shell Rockers to add comfort, utility, and an eye-catching punch of color.

It’s just a taste of the people-focused design solutions we’re presenting in our main showrooms during this year’s exhibition. If you’re at the show, please stop by Suites 318, 321, and 330 to experience our breakthrough “Living Office” concept. Not at NeoCon? Get a sneak peak at our spaces — which were just awarded “Large Showroom Winner” and “Best of Competition” — at hermanmiller.com/neocon-2013.

1.Hang-It-All, Charles and Ray Eames - Start in your entryway or mudroom and add the playful hues and functional utility of the Eames Hang-It-All. Solid wood balls in a spectrum of bright colors finish the ends of its sturdy, powder-coated white wire frame. You’ll be hanging hats and coats for every season and putting a smile on your face while you’re at it. Find the Hang-It-All at Herman Miller.

2. Tavolo XZ3 Table, Studio Technico Magis - Enhance your breakfast nook or dining room with the minimalist, mid-century style of the Tavolo XZ3 Table. Easily dressed up for fine dining or set casual for everyday eats, the sturdy design features a criss-crossing steel rod base available in chrome, white, or black epoxy resin. Top it off with round or rectangular table tops in white or black. Create yours at Herman Miller.

*Practically a sibling of the Eames Molded Plastic Chair, mix them up for the perfect set.

3. Mirra Chair, Studio 7.5 - Add thoughtful, supportive, and affordable task seating to your home office or studio with the Mirra Chair. Its one-piece elastic back rest cradles you no matter your size and shape, while the AireWeave suspension seat keeps the pressure balanced and the temperature cool. Sitting smart means working smart. Find them at Herman Miller.

4. Thin Edge Buffet, George Nelson - Bring incomparable style, elegance, and generous storage to your living space with the Thin Edge Buffet. Beautifully finished in your choice of five sustainable veneer options, the buffet features adjustable shelves behind its twin hinged doors as wells as four spacious drawers. Perfect for dining items, office objects, even living-room media. Customize yours at Herman Miller.

5. Aluminum Group Lounge Chair Outdoor, Charles and Ray Eames - Like its indoor siblings, the Aluminum Group Lounge Chair Outdoor is a striking mix of sculpture and design. This time though, thanks to state-of-the-art Outdoor Weave fabric, you can savor its comfort and style poolside or on the patio. It’s durable enough to hold color and shape against the elements, but light and supportive enough to comfort you all season. Choose from four weave colors and two base/frame colors. Get them at Herman Miller.

6. Noguchi Table, Isamu Noguchi - As an undeniable design icon, sculptor Isamu Noguchi’s classic table would be virtually impossible to improve on, except maybe having a few more base finishes to choose from. You can stay with the classic black or try handsome natural tones like cherry, walnut, and white ash. No matter the finish, you’re sure to enjoy its sculptural beauty and simplicity for a lifetime. Find it at Herman Miller.

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1. Nelson Night Clock - Despite its unmistakable mid-century modern charm, the handsome tone of the Night Clock’s solid brass frame, combined with its acrylic dome-covered face, make this a timely nightstand icon more than 60 years later. Powered by a single AA battery, there’s no cord allowing the Night Clock to stand on its own and draw compliments. Find one at Design Within Reach.

2. Herman Miller Select™ Nelson Tray - A tribute to the original 1961 molded-top Tray designed by Nelson, this limited-edition sunburst design was produced by Herman Miller until February 2012. The unique pattern includes hand-chosen veneers in walnut and santos palisander wood inlaid into white ash. Stylish service indeed. Get yours — while they last — at Design Within Reach.

3. Nelson 6-Drawer Miniature Chest with Base - The miniature chests, designed in 1952, reflect the profound influence the culture and design of Japan had on Nelson. Like traditional tansu, the Miniature Chests contain many small drawers ideal for storing a wide variety of items. A dynamic storage solution with a variety of configurations, perfect for all kinds of interior settings. Find the 6-drawer chest and more at Y-Living.

*Pairs harmoniously and stylishly with the Nelson Pedestal Stool.

4. Nelson Platform Bench Cushion - So you have your perfect storage configuration combining both the Nelson Platform Bench and the coordinating Nelson Basic Cabinet Series. Now add a touch of extra comfort and pop of color with the Bench Cushion. Custom designed and made specifically for the Platform Bench, you can choose from 3 felt colors or leather upholstery at Herman Miller.

5. Nelson Swag Leg Work Table - Whether you’re crafting with the kids, finishing up a corporate merger, or collaborating with a creative team, the Swag Leg Table accommodates you with a generous 54″ x 36″ work space. Create a minimalist look with a white veneer top or add the tactile style of a walnut veneer, both with walnut edge band. Choose yours at Herman Miller.

6. George Nelson: Architect Writer Designer Teacher - No Nelson fan or admirer should be without the exhibition catalog that accompanied the Vitra Design Museum’s comprehensive retrospective of the same name. In full-color, the 352-page catalog includes a myriad of illustrations, some previously unpublished. Find it at Barnes & Noble.

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1. Classic ViewMaster Model L with Scenic Americana Reel - Try a little nostalgia with your daydreams and gaze through the beloved ViewMaster toy. It’s the perfect desk-size daydreaming accessory. Get started with the classic viewer and a reel of scenic America. Available at Amazon.*You can even make your own custom ViewMaster reels.

2. Alphabet Factory Blocks - Employ imagination, spatial relations, physics, and motor control for daydreams that add real structure to your life. No login, Bluetooth, or USB cable needed. Just a hand or two and a tabletop. Start building at House Industries.

3. Spun Chair, Thomas Heatherwick for Magis - If your work has you going in circles, try unwinding yourself for a spell in the Spun Chair designed by Thomas Heatherwick. It’s the most comfortable, enjoyable revolution you’ll ever start. Find it at Herman Miller.

4. M4U 2 Active Noise Canceling Headphones, PSB Speakers - If you’re having trouble tuning into your daydreams, try tuning out of your environment for a bit with noise canceling headphones by PSB Speakers. The natural-sounding M4U 2′s are lightweight and comfortable. Fold and stow in their travel case for mobile daydreaming. Get them at Crutchfield.

5. Scissor Chair, Ward Bennett for Geiger - Modeled from the classic hammock deck chair of yesteryear’s ocean liners, the Scissor Chair mixes refined materials and finish option with reclining comfort. Situate yourself near a window, sit back and watch the clouds bend to your imagination. Customize yours at Herman Miller.

6. Marimekko Picnic Blanket - When your workspace starts to close in on you, move your daydreaming to the park for a bit. You’ll quickly forget your worries laying down on this collectible, all-natural fiber Marimekko picnic blanket. At 57″ x 58″ it’s over 23 square feet of daydreaming space. Available on Etsy.

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1. Bordo Bello NYC: A Skateboard Design Show, May 13 – 17, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. - Hosted by AIGA Colorado, “Bordo Bello” is the annual skateboard art show featuring the work of more than 1,000 professional designers, artists, and students, creating an exhibition of skateboard decks and simultaneously supporting charitable causes. Read more…

2. Parsons BFA Product Design Flat-Pack and Micro-Manufacturing Exhibition, May 7 – 24, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. - Parsons BFA Product Design students are challenged by the Flat-Pack Studio to create a furniture than can be flat-packed in standard shipping materials from UPS; the Micro-Manufacturing Studio helps students with design, modeling, prototyping, and testing of a family of household accessories or furniture, focusing on small-scale and self-sufficient production. Learn more…

3. NYCxDesign Workshop: Sustainable Design Thinking, May 14, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. - Led by Neil Chambers, founder/CEO of Chambers Design, Inc. and author of Urban Green: Architecture for the Future, the workshop explores how environmental issues can be affected by design, as well as what successes and priorities for the future exist. Learn more…

4. BKLYN DESIGNS 2013, May 10 – 12, 10:00 a.m – 8:00 p.m. - The BKLYN DESIGNS exhibition features a distinctive array of cutting-edge design from Brooklyn-based designers and manufacturers showcasing the “iconic Brooklyn style.” Learn more… 

5. INTRO NY, May 18 – 20, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. - Network or just take a break at INTRO NY. The “capsule event” provides a unique environment comprised of a series of design-branded vignettes. The styled spaces allow visitors to talk shop, socialize, or just plain relax. It also includes an outdoor café by Brooklyn Roasting Company. Learn more… 

6. Cutlog NYC Art Fair, May 10 – 13, 10:00 a.m – 8:00 p.m. - After five successful years in Paris, Cutlog NYC debuts on the city’s Lower East Side. Some forty galleries and curators will showcase art, installations, talks, and more throughout the Clemente Soto Vélez Center’s classrooms, halls, and theaters. Outdoors the parking lot will be transformed into a showspace for sculpture, music, food, and films. Learn more…

*Is your cab budget a little stretched? Does the subway not show you enough of New York? See NYCxDESIGN x Bike! Download the free bike map.

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1. Eames Molded Wood Side Chair, Charles and Ray Eames - In its longstanding commitment to the Eames vision of continued exploration, refinement, and discovery, Herman Miller introduces the Eames Molded Wood Side Chair, a beautiful expression of their timeless design, achieved with the help of today’s 3-D veneer technology. Available now at Herman Miller.

2. Craft Design Technology Leather Pen Case - Normally found only in Japan, Craft Design Technology produces products that unite the word and worlds of its name. Their handsome and compact pen case begins with artisan-colored leathers. Then, innovative treatment and processing are added to help the leather age and wear more gracefully. Finally the materials are merged with stylish, minimal design. The perfect addition to your bag or briefcase. Find one at Vetted.

3. Branca Chair, Sam Hecht and Kim Colin - In partnering with Mattiazzi, Sam and Kim welcomed the Italian manufacturer’s mix of high-tech manufacturing and dedicated hand-craftsmanship. Their unique chair design combines highly complex, robotic-made parts with traditional shaping and finishing by hand. Find yours at Herman Miller.

4. ADA Quilt, Meg Callahan - ADA mixes up the time-honored tradition of American quilt-making with modern techniques like digital printing and industrial-machine quilting to offer a truly unique approach to a classic home accessory. Find it at Matter.

5. Medici Chair, Konstantin Grcic - Creating the unique components of the Medici Chair require a combination of state-of-the-art technology and skilled craftsmanship – a perfect collaboration for Grcic and Mattiazzi. The parts are machine made and then meticulously hand-assembled in specific order. Choose from four striking finishes at Herman Miller.

6. Quilt, Artisan Collection, Bolon Floor Coverings - The Artisan Collection blends the careful craftsmanship and creativity of traditional carpet-making with the wide array of design options that modern technology now affords. Great tactile feeling mixed with high-tech design and durability. Find them at Bolon.

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In 1939, while working at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, it was Charles and architect Eero Saarinen who explored the first single-shell expression, using molded plywood, through their Kleinhans Chair design. They did not have the ability to produce its three-dimensional curves, however. In 1941, Charles and Eero once again took on the concept of a molded-plywood single-shell chair, placing entries in the Museum of Modern Art’s “Organic Design” competition. They won first place, but once again, could not produce their design due its manufacturing difficulties.

That same year, Charles and Ray, who had met at Cranbrook, married and moved to California. There the couple experimented with their own plywood-molding techniques in attempts to render a three-dimensional, curved form. Along the way, their efforts yielded stretchers, lightweight, stackable leg splints (1942), and a glider seat (1943) for the U.S. Navy during World War II. While they learned much from these developments, they still had to cut and score the veneer in order to manipulate it.

When the war ended, Charles and Ray applied their plywood-molding process to the concept of a mass-produced chair that found comfort in dimensionally shaped surfaces instead of cushioned upholstery. When plywood still could not withstand the stresses of a single-shell form, they created a chair with separate molded-plywood panels for the back and seat: the Eames Molded Plywood Chair (1946).

By 1948, the duo returned to the single-shell form, entering a prototype in stamped metal in the Museum of Modern Art’s “International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design”; it won second place. The design was heavy and expensive to produce, however, so Charles and Ray investigated something new: plastic, a lightweight material that could be molded into organic shapes to conform to the body. The result in 1950 was the single-shell Eames Molded Plastic Chair, the first-ever mass-produced plastic chair.

Through the years, Charles and Ray — believers that their designs should be refined — allowed this chair to continue to evolve. Among its changes and updates: in the late 1980s, fiberglass-reinforced plastic shells were found less suitable for the environment. Ray and Herman Miller discussed discontinuing the chairs, and in the early 1990s, Herman Miller ceased production. By 2000, after exploring more sustainable solutions, the company reintroduced the design, sourcing it from Vitra in 100% recyclable polypropylene.

This year, the landmark design takes another step forward in its journey as the Eames Molded Wood Side Chair. This new expression of the classic introduces wood material to the form for the first time. Today’s 3-D veneer technology slices the wood into spaghetti-thin strips and then glues them back together — giving the material the flexibility to be curved, molded, and shaped into Charles and Ray’s ever-evolving, single-shell design.

The Eames Molded Wood Side Chair is available now in the Herman Miller Store. Want to try your luck in our “Everywhere in Your Day” contest? Click here.

Your living and working spaces shouldn’t be a stranger to variety either. Each has its own purpose, needs, and style. Here’s six great options for adding that Herman Miller touch everywhere you live and work.

*Don’t forget to play ”Everywhere in Your Day.” You could win great prizes, including a chance at the grand prize, an Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman!

1. Stool_One, Konstantin Grcic - In your kitchen, space can be a premium. Keep seating stylish and compact at your breakfast bar with Kostantin Grcic’s Stool_One. Sold conveniently in sets of two, the stools come in two heights and in all-black anodized aluminum, or finished aluminum in red or white. Get a couple at Herman Miller.

*No breakfast bar? Pair two Stool_One stools with the Everywhere Standing Height Table for a simple, standalone dining solution.

2. Aeron Chair, Bill Stumpf - The Aeron is the ergonomic support superstar of the office chair world. Create the perfect workspace for mind and body with its breathable mesh upholstery. The Pellicle suspension conforms to your shape while keeping you cool and collected throughout your day. Find all the Aeron options at Herman Miller.

*Need to bring in a collaborator for a bit? Sit them beside you on a Nelson Pedestal Stool, ideal for a quick brainstorm.

3. Eames Sofa Compact, Charles and Ray Eames - Despite its modern, minimalist profile, the innovative Eames Sofa Compact conserves office space without sparing any comfort. Sit three colleagues across from you and pitch your ideas in a comfy, casual review meeting. Add in a Nelson Platform Bench as a showcase surface ideal for layouts, foldouts, or whatever your working on. Configure the perfect Eames Sofa Compact here.

*After the review meeting, celebrate your victory or regain your momentum with a spin in the Spun Chair.

4. Everywhere Flip-Top Table, Dan Grabowski - Of course, not every workspace has the real estate for a dedicated conference room. Enter the Everywhere Flip-Top Table, which enters on wheels naturally, and folds down to create the perfect mobile meeting space. When the meeting is done, fold it back up and roll it on to its next big pitch down the hall. Get yours at Herman Miller.

*Don’t forget to offer cooling comfort and support to your clients and coworkers around the table with a quartet of Setu Chairs.

5. Nelson X-Leg Table, George Nelson - Subtle and uncomplicated, the X-Leg Table is the epitome of elegance through simplicity and function. Choose from multiple depths, heights, and leg finishes, as well as veneer and laminate tops. Its clean design pairs easily with everything – try a white laminate top and surround it with pops of colors from Eames Molded Plastic Side Chairs. Configure your X-Leg Table here, and don’t forget the Eames Chairs.

6. Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, Charles & Ray Eames - With the goal of designing a “special refuge from the strains of modern living,” Charles and Ray Eames created the enduring symbol of lounging comfort. The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman symbolize the union of design with innovation and style with pure comfort. Make it your own with a selection of five striking veneers and a wide array of upholstery materials. You’ll forget all about those modern living strains. Get one at Herman Miller.

* You might need to set down some refreshments nearby – try pairing the Eames Lounge Chair with another iconic design, the Noguchi Table.

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Be sure to check out the latest clue here for a chance to win an Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman!

1. Ardea Personal Light – Inspired by the graceful necks of Ardea Herons, the energy-efficient Ardea Personal Light offers a flexible illumination source that can brighten every corner of your work or craft space. Find them at Herman Miller.

2. WHOLE WORLD Water – Looking for a way to help the nearly 1 billion people worldwide without access to clean water (and help the environment, too), Yves Béhar and Fuseproject reached out to the hotel industry. WHOLE WORLD Water replaces high-priced bottled water with re-usable bottles filtered on-site. 10% of the proceeds benefit global safe water programs. Learn more at Fuseproject.

3. Jawbone JAMBOX – Gone are the towering speakers that dominated your parents’ living room. Despite its relatively diminutive size, the JAMBOX’s precision drivers and dual passive bass radiators will stir your senses with remarkably clear and full sound. Find them at Jawbone.

4. Sodastream Source – Combining a distinctive design with even greater ease of use, Yves’ Source design for Sodastream dramatically enhances the home soda maker’s beauty and functionality. Choose from white, black, red, or blue. Find them at Sodastream.

5. PayPal Here – This is a new type of swipe, the portable type: the PayPal Here mobile card reader and app. Now businesses of any size can accept credit cards, PayPal, and even checks with an iPhone, iPad, or Android device – wherever you do business. Learn more at PayPal Here.

6. SAYL Chair – Uniting inventive design with low environmental impact, Yves Béhar created the SAYL. Eschewing a traditional back frame the chair allows for a new freedom of movement without any loss of support. Customize with a wide array of colors and materials. Configure yours at Herman Miller.

And speaking of SAYL Chairs, if you play the “Everywhere in Your Day” contest here, you could win one of your very own!

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And don’t forget: right now at Herman Miller, the “Everywhere in Your Day” contest offers a colorful opportunity to learn about great design and maybe even win some for yourself. Check it out now and you could win a SAYL Chair!

1. House of Cards, Charles and Ray Eames - With their vibrant and varied decks of cards, Charles and Ray ask animal, mineral, or vegetable. Each card features a different image, die-cut on four sides allowing for a never-ending range of structures. Available in small, medium, and giant sizes at MoMA.

2. Fort Standard Balancing Blocks - Test your spacial relations and understanding of weights and balances with these faceted stone-size blocks. Each set includes ten water-based-paint tumbled blocks in a cotton bag. Get them at Design Public.

3. Hattie the Elephant, David Weeks - Hattie is a most durable and posable playmate. Her firm and friendly hardwood frame is fastened with sturdy elastic bands allowing her to move about the playroom savannah for many years to come. Find her at Areaware.

4. Rosy Casa Dolls, Marilyn Neuhart - Marilyn Neuhart originally created her dolls for children from scraps of bold printed fabric. After one found its way to Ray Eames and eventually Alexander Girard, the dolls became the centerpiece of the Textile and Objects store in 1961. Today they’re handmade in the USA. Available from House Industries.

5. Best Made Famous Red Wool Blanket - X marks the spot in the center of this signature wool blanket crafted by Best Made in partnership with legendary Pendleton Woolen Mills. Warm up with one at Best Made.

6. Hang-It-All, Charles and Ray Eames - Part coat and hat rack, part colorful wall art, the sculptural Hang-It-All is unmistakably Eames. Originally designed for a child’s space, the bright painted wood balls stand out from the wall on their welded steel frame, ready to hold everything from a hoodie to a fedora. Get yours at Herman Miller.

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1. China Shop Pattern Pillow - Like Harper’s “Pavement” pattern, “China Shop” was re-issued by Maharam Textiles in 2001. Since then the distinctive patterns have made their way to everything from Eames Wire Chair pads to decorative pillows. Hurry and win yours on auction at eBay.

2. Irving Harper Works on Paper, Michael Maharam - Explore the career and artwork of this living design legend. From his designs for Nelson Associates in the 1950s and 60s to his prolific art and sculpture, Maharam’s comprehensive monograph explores the many sides of Harper’s inspiring career. Get your at Amazon  or IndieBound.

3. Nelson Marshmallow Sofa Letterpress Card, Green Bird Press - Green Bird Press honors Harper’s iconic design for George Nelson and Associates with this bright letterpress card on 100lb Pop Tone card stock from The French Paper Company. The perfect way to send a little of Harper design to friends and family. Available from Green Bird Press on Etsy.

4. Nelson Sunburst Clock, Irving Harper - You may forget you were looking for the time whenever you gaze at Harper’s classic clock designs. The unmistakable timepieces were originally produced by Howard Miller (Herman Miller’s son) Clock Company. Now it’s time to get yours from Design Within Reach.

5. Florence by Prolon Melmac - Complete the perfect mid-century modern table with this kitchen classic – the abstract Florence pattern was designed by Harper for George Nelson and Associates and produced as Melmac dishes and serving pieces by Prolon. Get the set from Cattle Dog Modern on Etsy.

6. Nelson Thin Edge Buffet, George Nelson - The Nelson Thin Edge Buffet yields a great deal of style as well as high-efficiency utility. With two adjustable shelves with hinged doors and four deep, soft-close drawers, all exquisitely veneered, it’s a storage solution of the highest caliber. Find it at Herman Miller.

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We’re kicking off the contest with a chance to win a “Smile, you’re designed to.” poster from Fab.com — a Herman Miller favorite, especially since co-founder and chief design officer Bradford Shellhammer regularly declares his devotion to all things Eames. (Have you seen his home?) Watch for your chances to win and to get info on the latest clues by following Herman Miller on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and by visiting the contest page here. Good luck!

The result is a straightforward design that thoughtfully combines two traditional materials: steel and wood. Skilled metalworkers use a series of complex mechanical procedures to gradually shear, coin, curve, and cut the metal pieces. The legs and round seat are milled out of solid beech. Together, the materials form a chair that is strong and durable with a natural warmth. Easy to assemble and offered in a selection of painted finishes, its subtle silhouette adapts to a number of environments. “We tried to make a chair that could fit a number of people, and it doesn’t look like a chair for rich or poor, woman or man—it’s universal,” explains Erwan. “Just made in metal and wood that will last and grow old quite nicely. The chair says, ‘Believe me that I’m a chair that will last.’”

Read more about the design’s manufacturing process at Magis here. To add the chair — or any of the Steelwood family, including its stool and table — to your dining or working space, visit the Herman Miller store.

1. Eames Table Contract Base Round Outdoor - Let the meeting of the round table commence with Charles and Ray’s vision for the perfect outdoor surface. Choose from a range of elegant and distinctive options including two heights, four tabletop diameters, and a choice of three marble and one granite table materials. See all the options at Herman Miller.

2. Water Jug, Menu & Pil Bredahl - Refresh your meeting’s attendants from this tall drink of water (or tea or lemonade) designed by Pil Bredahl. With its slender waist, the pitcher makes for an easy grasp and includes an ingenious top that opens just enough for fluid and not enough for ice or citrus to escape. Available from A+R.

3. Eames Aluminum Group Side Chair Outdoor - Surround an outdoor Eames Table or Nelson Pedestal Table with these perfectly adapted outdoor versions of the classic Eames Aluminum Group. Supportive Outdoor Weave material covers their lightweight aluminum frames for a truly comfortable seat that holds its own in the elements with effortless elegance. Select from four fabric colors and choose arms and a swivel or fixed base at Herman Miller.

4. Triple Dish, Morph - For a tasty intermission, offer crudités and snacks from this curvy Triple Dish design by Morph for Joseph Joseph. Three large segments for chips and vegetables surround a removable center for dips and sauces. Available in two-tone green and white or stone grey. Grasp yours at Joseph Joseph.

5. Aluminum Portable Document Holder - Windproof your meeting agenda, notes, and memos for external discussions with this classic mobile storage solution. It’s a touch of old school with a lot of convenience, in corrosion-resistant aluminum. Perfect for every team leader. Get them at Kaufmann Mercantile.

6. Nelson Pedestal Table Outdoor - Take the classic, sculpted silhouette of George Nelson’s Pedestal Table outdoors for your meeting. With three sizes to choose from, the table can act as side table, work surface, and more. Select from five different finishes for the table top. Choose yours at Herman Miller.

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1. Beaker-Style Beverage Dispenser - Quench a throng’s thirst with this oversize beaker-style dispenser, perfect for serving up seven quarts of lemonade, sangria, tea, or water. Handmade glass with a natural cork top and silver-tone plated spigot. Get it at CB2.

2. Folding Air-Chair, Jasper Morrison - Jasper Morrison’s fresh take on the folding chair is perfect for café seating. Lightweight and sturdy thanks to its namesake air-molding process, the Air-Chair offers casual comfort and even color. Choose from four shades, all sold in sets of two. Also drains rain thanks to a runoff cut-out in its seat. Find your pair at Herman Miller.

3. Wallter Post Planter, Linda and Max Geiser - Bring your small plants, succulents, and buds up to dining level with these colorful elevated planters. Made from powder-coated spun aluminum and available in four bright tones, they’ll add a flush of flora to your café spread. Choose yours at DesignPublic.

4. Table_One Bistro Outdoor, Konstantin Grcic - There are just a few key elements to a great bistro table, and Grcic’s straightforward design has them all. Its all-weather top comes in both round and square shapes, available on both sitting or standing height pedestals. The coated concrete base guarantees its sturdy stance on windy day. Find it at Herman Miller.

5. Tuuci Hexagon Shade, AlumiTeak - When April showers or the summer sun get too heavy, take refuge beneath Tuuci’s state-of-the-art umbrella. Unlike domed umbrellas, its low-profile hexagon shade shields without obstructing. As an experienced sailor, designer Dougan Clark knew the marine-grade materials that would ensure durability and ease of use. Check it out at Design Within Reach.

6. Stool_One, Konstantin Grcic - With its striking contrast of minimalist design and cantilevered comfort, Konstantin Grcic’s Stool_One is a feast for the eyes and a comfy perch for the rest of you. For a truly chic café stool, choose the black, anodized aluminum finish. A perfect match for the Table_One Bistro. Get them both at Herman Miller.

Photos linked within text.

1. “Cut and Paste: Paper Became a Passion for Designer Irving Harper” from Interior Design magazine.

2. Hipstamatic’s office, as reimagined by design firm Envelope A+D, at California Home + Design.

3. The Los Angeles Times’ coverage of Toyo Ito, winner of this year’s Pritzker Prize, the most prestigious award in architecture.

4. Japanese architect Shigeru Ban’s temporary pavilion made from cardboard tubes at the IE School of Architecture and Design in Madrid (via Dezeen).

5. 10 inspiring quotes from the Eames family at Dwell.

6. News from PSFK that Amsterdam’s DUS Public Architecture is set to develop and create a house using a giant 3D printer.

7. The New York Times‘ feature on the 14-year renovation of the home of Scott Omelianuk, editor of This Old House.

8. “Don’t Write off the Poster,” Eye Magazine‘s look at the collaboration between the UK’s V&A Museum and the Royal College of Art seeking to prove that the poster has not been killed off by digital media.

9. “Steve Jobs: Architect” at Design Observer.

10. The opening of artist Christo’s “Big Air Package” in Germany, reported to be the most expansive indoor sculpture ever created (via designboom).

Featured in photo: Eames Molded Plywood Chair, SAYL Chair, Nelson Platform Bench

1. Steelwood Chair and Table - Designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, the Steelwood set unifies the durability of steel with the natural warmth and texture of beech wood. Sturdy, stylish, and in for the long haul, Steelwood will dine with you for many years to come. Find both at Herman Miller.

*For the breakfast bar, check out the Steelwood Stool.

2. Bread Bag, Klaus Rath for Stelton - Fresh baked bread of all kinds find the perfect home in this innovative design. Reshape the bag into to different sizes, and keep the bread warm with its embedded magnet closures. It’s even reversible. See it at YLiving.

3. Birch Serving Tray, Majamoo/Jani Martikainen - Drawing inspiration from fellow Finn Alvar Aalto’s legendary designs, Martikainen’s contoured design is a balanced, high-quality serving tray. Its handsomely proportioned curves even make for a beautiful centerpiece on your dining table. Choose red, white, or black from A+R.

4. Wood and Stoneware Vase, Javier Gutiérrez and Larent Serin - Arrange and re-arrange this contemporary three-piece vase to accommodate stems and blooms of all sizes. The three parts include a stoneware cylinder, a hand-painted wood cylinder, and a hand-painted wood cone. Available in white/silver at Design Within Reach.

5. Tavolo XZ3 Tables - With its serious mid-century-modern style credentials, the Tavolo table, designed by Studio Technico Magis, offers a stylish and sturdy solution for dining or virtually any table-based gathering. Its steel wire base comes in chrome or white epoxy resin; round or rectangular tops are white MDF with polymer covering. Choose yours at Herman Miller.

*Pairs perfectly with the Eames Molded Plastic Chairs with wire bases.

6. Oxy Pitcher, HiromiKim - Its elegant and organic shape is just the first impression Oxy makes on your dining table. The pitcher’s interior contours continue to impress with their spherical shape, facilitating a smooth pour by rolling the fluid out. Made from Limoges porcelain with a two-liter capacity. Find it at Vespoe.

Photos linked within text.

1. Apartment Therapy’s look inside Airbnb’s Eames-filled office in San Francisco.

2. The sliding facade on this home created by London-based architects dRMM and featured at CubeMe.

3. Dezeen’s report that Danish studio BIG has been appointed to spearhead a redesign the campus of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

4. These interiors captured by Toronto photographer Derek Shapton at Desire to Inspire.

5. Collossal’s feature on a sculpture of the last standing tree from a forest destroyed by the 2011 tsunami in Japan.

6. This Chair Alphabet print by Tim Fishlock at Design Milk.

7. Tina Roth Eisenberg’s keynote at South by Southwest Interactive (via swissmiss).

8. More inspiration from swissmiss, this time in Johnson Banks’ “Second Thoughts” interview.

9. Esoteric Survey’s tour of the permanent collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

10. The wonderful curiosities filling the home office of the Caselli Avenue Residence remodeled by Schwartz and Architecture in San Francisco (via Inthralld).

Featured in photo: She Said Stool by Nitzan Cohen; Burdick Group Table by Bruce Burdick

Tell us about yourself and your work: what you’re passionate about, what inspires you, and where you’re going. I recently finished directing and producing my first documentary film called “Linotype: The Film.” It is about the Linotype typecasting machine and its impact on communication and the modern news media. It is also about a bunch of awesome old guys that work with crazy machines.

As trite as this answer will be, I find my inspiration all around me. I love travel and find my clearest thinking at 30,000 feet with my computer off. Most of my favorite projects have started as a result of traveling.

I am currently teaching typography and letterpress classes at Missouri State University and working on freelance design and video projects. I just finished two years of traveling around the world with the film, so I am trying to slow down and decide what is next. I have a few ideas about upcoming films, but I don’t have a direction just yet.

Tell us about your space. What’s your aesthetic? What do you like or dislike about it? I share the office with filmmaker (and “Linotype: The Film” cinematographer) Brandon Goodwin. It is in an old brick building in downtown Springfield, Missouri and we share the building with a few other creatives.

My aesthetic is a mix of trying to be clean and modern but also accepting that I am a collector of vintage ephemera and objects. I decorate with many letterpress-printed posters along with objects found at flea markets.

Brandon and I built our own desks using solid-core doors and legs. This kept our costs down as well as gave us a hand-built feel to the space. As a collector, I can never have enough flat files to organize and sort my vintage finds.

One perk of the office is our single-malt scotch collection that everyone shares. This keeps things relaxed around the office. My current favorite is Lagavulin 16 or Glenmorangie Finealta.

Photos: Doug Wilson. See the short film of the office’s Mirra vs. Aeron competition here.

There’s a quiet battle brewing in Springfield, Missouri, where designer and filmmaker Doug Wilson shares an office with Brandon Goodwin, also a filmmaker and Doug’s co-conspirator on “Linotype: The Film – In Search of the Eighth Wonder of the World.” When we asked Doug to report in from the scene, he not only sent over an explanation, but also gave us a first-hand look with the above short film.

Doug states: “I worked previously in an ad agency with Aeron chairs and learned that a good chair is worth the investment. When we moved into our office, Brandon and I went to our local Herman Miller dealer to test out chairs. I thought I would simply purchase an Aeron, but I found the Mirra chair to be more comfortable for me and I ended up choosing my own colors and features. Brandon purchased an Aeron.”

Since the purchases, their workspace has been enthralled in an unending contest. “Any time we have friends visit the office, we have a competition to see which chair they prefer,” Doug says. “It is a friendly rivalry, but obviously I think I made the better decision. Currently, Brandon’s Aeron is winning, but the Mirra is staging a comeback.”

Which chair do you prefer? Weigh in with your comments or tell us about it on Twitter.

Video courtesy Doug Wilson and Brandon Goodwin

In honor of Women’s History Month, this week’s round-up presents some of our favorite collaborations with female designers. Working together, these pairings, teams, and ensembles channel the creative energy generated when the genders mix it up.

1. Eva, Eva Zeisel with KleinReid - After approaching ceramic artist Eva Zeisel in 1999, KleinReid began a 12-year-long collaboration, generating an exclusive line of more than 20 handmade designs. The organic curves of “Eva Centerpiece,” an 11-piece set, offer endless variations for display. Find the collection at KleinReid.

2. Mirra Chair, Studio 7.5 - Designers Claudia Plikat, Carola Zwick, Roland Zwick, and Burkhard Schmitz make up Studio 7.5, designers of the Mirra Chair as well as the Setu Chair for Herman Miller. Carola Zwick describes the chairs’ beauty as “not only what you see, it’s also what you feel.” See and sit in a Mirra or a Setu and you’re sure to agree. Find yours at Herman Miller.

3. Branca Chair, Kim Colin and Sam Hecht - The founders of London’s Industrial Facility, drawing fresh inspiration from the natural form of trees, created the single piece of wood Branca Chair to be the perfect modern chair: light, comfortable, and adaptable. Robotically produced, the minimal, durable design is both comfortable to rest in and pleasing to gaze upon. Available in three finishes at Herman Miller.

4. The Scout Regalia Bicycle, Makoto Mizutani and Benjamin Luddy - An amalgam of a mixte bike, an English-Dutch town bike, and a mountain bike, the Scout Regalia unites performance, style, and craftsmanship. The unique design is Mizutani and Luddy’s shared vision of an American-made, truly American bike. Check them out at Scout Regalia.

5. Forage Bowties, Shauna Alterio and Stephen Lloidolt - After completing MFAs at Cranbrook, Alterio and Lloidolt began collaborating on various projects, including Forage. Thanks to their shared affinity for the vintage and deadstock fabrics, the couple’s fresh designs are reaching new-classic status. (We bet Charles Eames would have loved them.) Explore all their hand-crafted products at Forage.

6. Eames Molded Plastic Chair, Ray and Charles Eames - Drawing from their shared playfulness, curiosity, and devotion to a continual design process, Ray and Charles created some of the most iconic furniture designs ever produced, including the first-ever mass-produced plastic chair. More than 60 years later, it remains a style leader in modern design. Choose from multiple colors and bases at Herman Miller.

Photos linked within text.

1. A quick tour inside the Ray Eames exhibit at the California Museum in Sacramento via Esoteric Survey.

2. Le Prado, a warm, welcoming home near the beaches of Marseilles, France, spotted by Design Milk.

3. More from Marseilles, this time from Contemporist: the simple and elegant Vieux Port Pavilion by Foster + Partners.

4. Co.Design’s peek inside a new book on Irving Harper, who designed Herman Miller’s logo and contributed to the design of George Nelson’s Marshmallow Sofa.

5. A surprising house design by Aires Mateus in Leiria, Portugal, found at I Need a Guide.

6. The Makoko Floating School project by NLÉ architects at designboom.

7. Remodelista’s roundup of “smart and skinny” houses in Japan.

8. Great shots by photographer Alan Wanzenberg at Plastolux. (We’re fans of the nicely lit image of a pair of Eames Walnut Stools.)

9. This chat with David Calvin Laufer, who presents interviews with George Nelson, Charles and Ray Eames, and Buckminster Fuller, among others, in his book Dialogues with Creative Legends and Aha Moments in a Designer’s Career (via Peachpit).

10. The renovated LeRoy Neiman Center at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Be sure to check out its interesting combo of Eames designs and colorful Caper chairs. (Via Retail Design Blog.)

Featured in photo: Eames Molded Plastic Chair; Eames Aluminum Group Management Chair; Nelson X-Leg Table

Charles and architect Eero Saarinen, and then Charles and Ray together, had experimented with a single-shell form for several years before Charles and Ray submitted a design in stamped metal in the Museum of Modern Art’s 1948 “International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design.” Their entry received second place. Its heavy, neoprene-coated form proved costly to produce, however, so Charles and Ray turned their attention to something new: plastic. They soon found that the exciting material could mold into organic shapes and comfortably conform to the body, allowing their design to do more with less.

In 1950, it was this iteration that Herman Miller made available, marking the arrival the first mass-produced plastic chair. It did not, however, mark the end of the evolution of the seating. Since its launch, the Eames Molded Plastic Chair has continually benefited from the Eames process of exploration and refinement. Details like shock mounts, color and height options, base variations, and use of upholstery have welcomed enhancements. Manufacturing processes have been closely monitored and modified. And in the late 1980s, when new findings showed fiberglass-reinforced plastic shells to be less suitable for the environment, Herman Miller and Ray Eames discussed discontinuing the design; in the ’90s, the chairs officially ceased production. After investigating sustainable solutions, however, Herman Miller and the Eames family reissued the seat in 2000 in 100% recyclable polypropylene.

This chair, like its designers, has been on a continual journey. Now, the design takes its next step forward using 3-D veneer technology, a process that provides the additional flexibility wood veneer needs to be molded into complex curves — and take on the classic form as a single wood shell.

This new expression, the Eames Molded Wood Side Chair, honors the organic shapes, sleek lines, and honest materials of Ray and Charles’ classic work — and its introduction beautifully represents Herman Miller’s longstanding commitment to the Eames vision of continued exploration, refinement, and discovery. Find out more about the new chair here, and look for it to be available soon in the Herman Miller Store.