Modern Icons: The George Nelson Swag Leg Desk and Chair
Sculptural chrome legs and a compact form were prophetic in 1958, as the design works perfectly with technology today
Thanks to space-saving laptops and paperless offices, George Nelson's 1958 Swag Leg Desk is more functional than ever. This compact desk has clean lines and a very light profile that doesn't clutter a room.
Manufactured by Herman Miller, the desk has sculptural chrome legs that were a Nelson innovation. He brought similar swag legs to a molded plastic chair as well. Both the desk and chair, as well as a few other swag leg pieces, have been rereleased by Herman Miller and are widely available today. Here's how to use them in a range of settings around the house.
Manufactured by Herman Miller, the desk has sculptural chrome legs that were a Nelson innovation. He brought similar swag legs to a molded plastic chair as well. Both the desk and chair, as well as a few other swag leg pieces, have been rereleased by Herman Miller and are widely available today. Here's how to use them in a range of settings around the house.
In today's paperless office, The Swag Desk's lack of storage is not an issue. It has plenty of room for writing, hunting and pecking or drawing. There's room on the top shelf for tucking your iPod dock, day planner and a plant out of the way of your work space.
Nelson Swag Leg Desk
While the desk is clean lined, Nelson had some fun with gently curved pedestal legs and playful pops of bright color in between the cubbies.
A grommet for cable management has been added to the back of the desk. It also has a slim pencil drawer that pulls out from the front.
A grommet for cable management has been added to the back of the desk. It also has a slim pencil drawer that pulls out from the front.
The curved metal legs gave the desk its name. According to the Herman Miller website, Nelson said, "Wouldn't it be beautiful to have some kind of sculptured leg on a piece of furniture?" Remember, back in the '50s, a curved leg meant a lot of labor-intensive hand carving.
In his usual innovative fashion, he experimented with metal so that the legs could be mass produced. "Swaging" is a method that uses pressure to taper and curve a metal tube, which is how the legs are formed.
In his usual innovative fashion, he experimented with metal so that the legs could be mass produced. "Swaging" is a method that uses pressure to taper and curve a metal tube, which is how the legs are formed.
The desk is an apt choice for the bedroom due to its light profile. From this angle, it almost appears to float over the floor.
In usual George Nelson fashion, the desk works well with other pieces from his colleagues, like this Wire Chair that Charles and Ray Eames designed in 1951.
Speaking of chairs, have you been admiring that chair with similarly curved legs in some of the photos above? It's the coordinating Swag Leg Chair, which was also originally released in 1958 and recently rereleased by Herman Miller.
While the chair works well as a task chair in an office, it's also a striking addition as dining room or kitchen table seating. Here it's part of an eclectic mix of modern chairs and a more rustic farmhouse table and bench.
The chair's form takes inspiration from its curved legs and its plastic molding process from the Eameses. Here the curves stand out in contrast to this very blocky wood table.
Herman Miller also offers a swag leg round dining table, rectangular dining table and this work table.
Browse more modern icons
More George Nelson designs:
Bench | Pendant Lights | Clocks | Coconut Chair | Marshmallow Sofa
Browse more modern icons
More George Nelson designs:
Bench | Pendant Lights | Clocks | Coconut Chair | Marshmallow Sofa