Image source: Herman Miller — Nelson Daybed
© Herman Miller and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research.
Nelson Daybed
George Nelson's 1949 daybed with removable bolsters, a sofa by day and a bed at night.
838 × 692 × 1924 mm
1949
Approx. $3,400 (reference price; varies by region and retailer)
Official product information
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Description
Overview
The Nelson Daybed is George Nelson's sofa-and-bed design, originally designed in 1949 and reissued by Herman Miller with removable back or side bolsters. It converts from a sofa to a bed for a momentary respite or a full night's rest.
Construction
A beveled-edge wood platform frame on stainless steel hairpin legs or tapered wood legs, with dual-density foam cushions finished with rounded welt-cord piping.
Specifications
The sheet drawing gives 33 in wide, 75.75 in long and 27.25 in high, not labelled on the drawing.
Story
An early version in 1941
Herman Miller's product page says Nelson designed an early version of the daybed for his own use in 1941, then refined it and launched it in 1949.
Image source: Herman Miller — Nelson Daybed · © Herman Miller and the respective rights holders. Quoted to accompany INTEBEE's independent design commentary and research. · View official product page ↗ · Image use & copyright policy
Design that evolves
The page ties the daybed to Nelson's view that design should evolve as human behavior changes and that furniture should relate to the whole interior.
More by George Nelson
Nelson Marshmallow Sofa
George Nelson's 1956 sofa of 18 round cushions floating on a brushed steel frame.
Nelson Swag Leg Armchair
A flexible two-part shell sits on George Nelson's pressure-formed steel legs.
Nelson Cane Bench
George Nelson's 1952 bench with a natural cane top and solid wood frame
Nelson Basic Cabinet Series
Modular storage with standardized proportions and configurable details
Collection
George Nelson Collection
The Nelson Collection at Herman Miller: George Nelson's Platform Bench, Daybed, Coconut Chair and Marshmallow Sofa, plus Thin Edge casegoods, lamps and clocks.
