Born in the United States in 1908,  George Nelson is considered one of the greatest exponents of modernism in his country. He graduated in architecture at Yale University, in 1928, and then landed in Rome which was for him the starting point of a series of travels throughout Europe, during which he formed his personal idea of design, strongly influenced from the modernist currents with which he came into contact. From Gropius to Van der Rohe, from Le Corbusier to Ponti, his training took place, in the sign of modernism, but with different influences and shades that are reflected in his personal style: rigorous but not serious, with flashes of color and poetry. In fact, these are projects that are always respectful of the function for which they are created, which however do not neglect the relational aspects between the individual and the object. The furnishings, lights and accessories designed by George Nelson always arouse sympathy and despite the essentiality of the lines and elements, they are never cold or repulsive, but rather invite you to discover and use.

Color as a common thread in projects by  Vitra

Marshmellow by Vitra

Among the most representative projects of Nelson's kaleidoscopic style, there are undoubtedly those produced by Vitra. First of all, the iconic Marshmallow sofa: designed in 1956, it upsets the classic idea of a sofa, reinterpreting it in a playful, pop key, without however derogating from the function and comfort of the furniture itself. The sofa, made up of 18 colored and round cushions, can be modularly expanded and this has made Marshmallow also suitable for large contract spaces. Within the Vitra collection, the Home Desk from 1958 is equally iconic, interesting because it explains Nelson's approach: rigorous and essential lines with a chromatic joke in correspondence with the storage compartments. Designed as a “lady's” desk, it is now one of the favorite choices for the home office area. In the image, we see it together with the Sunflower Clock , by the same designer. Wall clocks are in fact another recurring theme in Nelson's production. Finally, with a surprisingly contemporary style, the Nelson Bench , designed in 1946 with seat in natural ash and base in black painted ash, is a splendid interpretation of wood and works both as a bench and as a low table.

Nelson Bench by Vitra

Sunflower Clock by Vitra

The organic and light shapes in the lamps by  Hay

Bubble lamp by Hay

Pear Wall by Hay

Soft and poetic shapes make up the series of  lamps produced by Hay and first designed by Nelson in 1946. His model was an elegant silk lampshade that Nelson wanted for his office but found too expensive. This prompted him to carry out material research that led him to a self-crosslinking spray used by the US military. By applying this spray on a steel frame, he was able to obtain a texture and an appearance that was completely similar to the refined silk model he had been inspired by, and to its warm and diffused light, but at a very low cost. Today the collection presents a great variety of shapes and sizes and has also been enriched by the wall version, characterized by the simple but elegant plate with steel arm and walnut support.

Bubble by Hay

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest trends in design and our experts' tips about furnishing and to not miss our exclusive and reserved promotions! Do you need help? Our design service is at your disposal to help you decorate your home with a unique style: your own. Contact us sending an email to [email protected] or calling +39.090.6258945.