The Modern House

Talk about social change! The postwar period in the 1940s saw profound and extensive changes in American life: the GI Bill, which sent hundreds of thousands of soldiers to college—and on to professional careers; suburbanization—the movement of vast numbers of Americans from city apartments to newly built suburban homes; changes in income levels and gender roles. The list goes on and on.

George Nelson, who said, "Design is a response to social change," was focused on the change in living environments. "The modern house," he said, "is a good house because it is a 'natural' house." He was speaking as an architect and leading a design movement toward living spaces very different from prewar housing concepts. He understood that people would no longer be born and raised and die in the same house, that Americans had become mobile, and that they needed furniture to support the new American life style.

Nelson's Storagewall was the antithesis of what that "average manufacturer" might have produced.

"Simple and Even Stark"

One of Nelson's first designs for Herman Miller was a series of wood cabinets. But they were as far from traditional casework cabinetry as they could possibly be. The cabinets were different sizes and different configurations, but they were all done in the same finishes, so they could be used together in dozens of ways. They were the Storagewall deconstructed.

You could use them as standard furniture if you wanted. Or you could stack them, place them side by side, place them atop the Platform Bench, cover a wall with them for a built-in look you could take with you when you moved, or combine them to divide one room from another.

The cabinets were featured in a 1948 LIFE magazine article called "Top American Designers make it simple, slim and comfortable," which also featured the work of Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen, among others.

For the first time since the 18th Century, Americans can buy furniture created and signed by designers of distinction and originality. Some of their work is shown here. It is very modern, simple and even stark, because its designers...feel that these qualities are more in tune with present ways of living than traditional imitations of Chippendale, Sheraton and Duncan Phyfe.

Change Again

As we shift into new ways of living at home in the 21st century, there is a need for modular, easily movable furniture pieces that serve more than one purpose—bookcase, media storage, filing, breakfront, bar, room divider. The Nelson Basic Cabinet Series fills the bill; these pieces save space, while providing lots of efficient storage.

That's why we decided it was time to reintroduce them. They are as useful in the homes of today as they were in the postwar boom.

General Dimensions

• H:16.5"
• W:18"
• D:18.5"

Care & Maintenance

With regular care and maintenance, your Herman Miller product will provide many years of superior performance and satisfaction. To maintain quality, please follow the cleaning procedures outlined here.

The instructions for the care and maintenance of Herman Miller products are provided to you as a service. No warranty is implied since results may vary.

Solid Wood and Veneer

For normal cleaning, dust furniture daily with a slightly damp, soft cloth. Wipe dry with a dry, soft cloth in the direction of the wood grain. Once a month, clean the surface with a soft cloth dampened with a quality cleaner formulated for wood furniture. Wipe the surface in the direction of the wood grain to remove dirt and fingerprints. Wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth. Twice a year, apply a good quality emulsion wax to the finish with a soft cloth. Emulsion wax is clear and prevents fingerprints.

For minor repair of water rings, stains, and scratches, rub the surface lightly in the direction of the wood grain using No. 000 steel wool. Apply a scratch-removing polish with a color and value that simulate the veneer. If the scratches are deep, consult a professional furniture refinisher.