Decorating
The Making of an Icon: George Nelson’s Coconut Chair
The designer of this innovative lounge chair turned to the inverted shell of a coconut for inspiration and made it comfortable, too
George Nelson was a multi-talented figure – a designer, architect, editor and writer – and he became one of the key players in American modernist design. Nelson trained as an architect but, in 1947, he jumped ship and became director of design for the Herman Miller furniture company. He held the position until 1972 and, during that time, the likes of Charles and Ray Eames, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi all worked under his supervision. A great number of classic pieces were created during this exceptionally fertile period and, both through Herman Miller and his own studio, Nelson was involved in the design of much of the 20th century’s most iconic modernist furniture.
Introduced in 1955, the Coconut lounge chair is one of Nelson’s best-loved designs. Instead of creating a traditional shape that follows the human body, he designed the chair along totally new lines, as a deliberately easy-going type of seating. Wonderfully simple, surprisingly comfortable and still looking current today, the Coconut chair is now an icon of American modernist design.
Introduced in 1955, the Coconut lounge chair is one of Nelson’s best-loved designs. Instead of creating a traditional shape that follows the human body, he designed the chair along totally new lines, as a deliberately easy-going type of seating. Wonderfully simple, surprisingly comfortable and still looking current today, the Coconut chair is now an icon of American modernist design.
The Coconut chair
Nelson designed the Coconut chair in 1955. The idea of sitting in a coconut slice may not initially seem appealing, but the chair is famed for being extremely comfortable. Nelson said he developed it “to give lounge seating comfort, together with great freedom of movement”. With its shallow sides and soft curves, the chair is designed to let you sit in any position and move with ease.
Nelson designed the Coconut chair in 1955. The idea of sitting in a coconut slice may not initially seem appealing, but the chair is famed for being extremely comfortable. Nelson said he developed it “to give lounge seating comfort, together with great freedom of movement”. With its shallow sides and soft curves, the chair is designed to let you sit in any position and move with ease.
Foodie inspiration
The Coconut chair wasn’t Nelson’s only seating design inspired by food: he came up with the Marshmallow sofa the following year, after all. Nelson believed in the value of a wide range of influences on design, while always keeping its impact on people and society at the forefront. Rather than specialising, he believed designers should cultivate a broad base of knowledge and understanding. “Total design is nothing more or less than a process of relating everything to everything,” he said.
The Coconut chair wasn’t Nelson’s only seating design inspired by food: he came up with the Marshmallow sofa the following year, after all. Nelson believed in the value of a wide range of influences on design, while always keeping its impact on people and society at the forefront. Rather than specialising, he believed designers should cultivate a broad base of knowledge and understanding. “Total design is nothing more or less than a process of relating everything to everything,” he said.
Built for comfort
George Nelson compared his armchair to a coconut cut into eight sections, but he reversed the colours. The outer shell is white, like the inner flesh of a coconut, while the one-piece foam rubber cushion is darker. It comes upholstered in supple leather or fabric, and is available in a variety of colours. The third corner, which forms the backrest, is slightly longer than the two side tips to create a cosy, cocooning effect.
George Nelson compared his armchair to a coconut cut into eight sections, but he reversed the colours. The outer shell is white, like the inner flesh of a coconut, while the one-piece foam rubber cushion is darker. It comes upholstered in supple leather or fabric, and is available in a variety of colours. The third corner, which forms the backrest, is slightly longer than the two side tips to create a cosy, cocooning effect.
A domestic hit
Thanks to its equal emphasis on comfort and good looks, the Coconut chair is also a firm favourite in homes and offices around the world. The chair is produced today by Herman Miller in the USA and Vitra in Europe to Nelson’s original design, materials and detailing.
TELL US
Do you like – or even own – this iconic chair? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Thanks to its equal emphasis on comfort and good looks, the Coconut chair is also a firm favourite in homes and offices around the world. The chair is produced today by Herman Miller in the USA and Vitra in Europe to Nelson’s original design, materials and detailing.
TELL US
Do you like – or even own – this iconic chair? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Herman Miller and the Icons of Mid-Century Design Explained
History of Style: Be Inspired by the Iconic Beverly Hills Hotel
Iconic Homes That Showcase Modern Architecture
Born in 1908, Nelson studied architecture at Yale and graduated in 1928. He later went on to study in Europe, and introduced the work of many European modernists, including Mies van der Rohe, Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier, to the USA through his articles in the architecture journal Pencil Points.