The Michigan-based furniture maker Steelcase has a long and distinguished history, but collectors focus on its vintage office furniture and desk chairs from the 1950s to the ’70s, when, along with such companies as Knoll and Herman Miller, the firm helped define the aesthetics of American mid-century modernism.
Steelcase was founded in Grand Rapids in 1912 as the Metal Office Furniture Company, promoting steel desks and other furnishings as safer, fireproof alternatives to wooden pieces at a time when smoking in the workplace was common. Boston’s first skyscraper — the 32-story Customs House — was furnished by the company in 1915. Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect and furniture designer whose work had a profound influence on the shape of modern life, turned to the firm in 1937 to fabricate the enameled metal chairs and desks for his Johnson Wax Headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin.
In the 1950s, when Steelcase formally adopted the name it still uses today, the company developed a sleek and functional style employing rectilinear chrome frames for glass-topped tables and upholstered seating pieces. The look is similar to that of the minimal, Bauhaus-inspired designs of Florence Knoll, another icon of furniture design who helped shape the ethos of the postwar business world.
By the 1970s, Steelcase had enlivened its styling, offering such pieces as chairs and side tables designed by Gardner Leaver, with circular bases and curving supports. As you will see on these pages, Steelcase designs offer a perfect foundation for a modernist decor, with a touch of flair.
Find vintage Steelcase furniture on 1stDibs.
$11,495 / set
H 28 in W 41 in D 33 in
Vintage William Andrus for Steelcase Soft Lounge Chairs & Coffee Table Set
Located in Chicago, IL
A set of two William Andrus lounge chairs and matching coffee table from the Steelcase Soft Seating Group, 1972, one of the most significant American institutional furniture designs ...
Faux Leather, Glass, Lucite
$1,024 / set
H 22.05 in W 23.63 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Vintage Italian Mid-Century-Modern Lounge Chairs or Club Chairs, 1970s
Located in Zagreb, HR
Pair of vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs or club chairs. Beautiful and unique shape, made entirely from foam with a plastic floor. 1970-1975 production, reupholstered...
Upholstery, Foam
Pair Parsons Lounge Chairs, 1980
By Parsons
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Parsons Lounge Chairs, 1980. Original ultra-suede upholstery shows minor wear, consistent with age and use
Ultrasuede
$3,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
Pair Of Gardner Leaver For Steelcase Lounge Chairs
By Gardner Leaver, Steelcase
Located in Pasadena, TX
A pair mid century modern lounge chairs designed by Gardner Leaver and manufactured by Steelcase. Brown leather tufted seat and ...
Stainless Steel
$999Sale Price / set|66% Off
H 30.5 in W 22.5 in D 30.5 in
Matching Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Steelcase
By Steelcase
Located in Lafayette, IN
Charming pair of streel-frame arm chairs built in 1965 by Steelcase Inc. Chairs feature angular, black-painted steel frames, walnut armrests and new saddle-brown vinyl embossed with a classic, western-inspired, paisley motif. With their architectural lines, unique upholstery...
Metal, Steel
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Vinyl Lounge Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful pair of vintage modern armchairs with metal legs and tufted green vinyl upholstery. The wonderful design offers maximum comfort w...
Metal
Pair of Oversized Lounge Chairs circa 1985
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Oversized Lounge Chairs, circa 1985 Construction & Upholstery • Frames: One original hardwood frame in sound vintage condition; one fully rebuilt with reinforced joinery for...
Fabric
1960s Oversized Lounge Chairs, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1960s oversized slipper lounge chairs. The chairs are newly upholstered with black lacquered legs.
Upholstery
Mid Century Lounge Chairs By Carl Straub 1970s, Set Of 2
By Carl Straub
Located in ECHT, NL
Mid-Century Lounge Chairs by Carl Straub 1970s, Set of 2 New Upholstery in Soft Grey / Taupe Fabric.
Fabric, Beech
Pair of Otto Zapf Lounge Chairs for Knoll
By Otto Zapf, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of leather lounge chairs by Otto Zapf for Knoll International, c.1990s, USA. The plush lounge chairs feature original deep camel leather uphols...
Leather
