Dear Nelson Swag Leg Work Table,
We’ve been together now for the past six months, and yet I still get butterflies when I see you standing there each morning. Sure, you’ve got great legs, but behind that walnut veneer lies a solid foundation—one upon which we shall surely write history together. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Yours, Heather
Happy Valentine’s Day! I’ve got a soft spot for this holiday, especially now that my kids are old enough to get it. This past weekend was spent making cards and talking about love. Is there anything finer? We will be celebrating all week here at Lifework. I’ve asked our contributors to write a love letter to their favorite piece of Herman Miller design (inspired by a sweet post over on Unplggd devoted to Evernote). Today we start with Jordan and his yellow Eames molded plastic chair. You’ll have to stop by to see which pieces we’ve chosen. Cerentha
The furniture in my apartment (a typically small-ish Brooklyn one bedroom) is carefully curated, which means I’m fond of each piece; but the piece I love the most is a vintage Eames plastic side chair with a stacking base. It was a birthday present given to me several years ago from my wife and father-in-law; of course, though that might be the main reason I like it so much, that’s only one of the reasons that it’s my favorite chair.
Because I use it at my desk, it is probably the chair I use the most in my apartment. Even though it must be at least 35 years old, the chair is still sturdy, incredibly comfortable, and clearly designed and built to last.
I find the design particularly satisfying because it immediately communicates exactly how it was made, hiding no materials or articulations. Its organic shape, contoured to the body, is playful, smart, and elegant; it adds a beautiful burst of color to the room; it is lightweight and easy to move; and, most importantly, the cats love lounging in it.
Two last reasons to love the Eames molded plastic side chair: it is currently manufactured in environmentally friendly materials and is 100% recyclable; and, after over 60 years since it was first designed, it remains terrifically affordable.
“We followed Alexander Girard where he led us because we knew he had impeccable taste and incredible astuteness about space, color and pattern. He provided…emotional attachment.” That was DJ De Pree, Herman Miller’s founder. His relationship with Girard began in 1952 when the designer was hired to head the fabric and textile division. Over the next 20 years Girard’s work with Herman Miller brought him together with designers like the Eameses and George Nelson. His colorful textiles incorporated geometric patterns and folk art-inspired images that gave life and vibrancy to the company’s furniture designs.
It seems fitting with Valentine’s Day fast approaching to take a look at his “Love Heart” (1972) and the “International Heart”(1967) Girard, who grew up in Florence, Italy, said “the whole world must know about itself…The colors vary, their languages vary, but their spirits and aspirations are interwoven into one incredible rich humanity.” The ‘International Heart’ with the word love in 16 languages certainly speaks to that sentiment. In the 1967 Herman Miller catalog the “International Heart” is referred to as “Love Heart” and “A tribute of Love and Friendship to your wife, sweetheart, or customer.” A nice broad sweep there! The price? $2.25 for a 15 1/2 inch square.
While, for me, the singular “Love Heart” is a testament to Girard’s extraordinary skill as a designer. He has taken a simple graphic, boldly red heart and graphically imposed the word love inside it.
And to finish here are some inspiring words from Girard: “The hope for good design lies in those designers who believe in what they do, and who will only do what they believe … contrary to hearsay, it is possible to make a living that way.” I think that rings true for all of us.
