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Saturday, April 21, 2012

George Nelson CSS

George Nelson designed the Comprehensive Storage System (CSS) in 1959. Ads touted the CSS as an "innovation in flexible storage" and assured the prospective buyer that, once assembled, other components could be added without dismantling the original configuration.


CSS advertisement
modernfindings.com


We recently took a CSS unit on consignment at the store. It will be available as soon as we replace some of the mounting hardware. Till then, here is a look at it in the owner's home..



George Nelson CSS unit which will be in the store soon

18 comments:

  1. Ohh....that is the very vision of loveliness, such balance and order!
    Why would you part with it?...but lucky Mid2Mod!

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    1. From what my SIL says, everything in her house is that nice.

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  2. They remind me of the office space in Bewitched. That's good thing. Super slick.

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    1. Anything Bewitched is a good thing. Everything about that show was fun.

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  3. Reminds me of the Principals Office at my public school and the smell of craft glue and construction paper. Good Times.

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  4. I shall add one of these to my covet list.

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  5. I love these units, always have. I have had all sorts of variants of these units, and I still have a couple pieces that do not require installation in my office/studio. They are based on slats and pegs. In our living room we have a VITSOE unit that did require installation. My apartment is an industrial/geek/mod mix. It took me a while to warm up to the Vitsoe unit, but I've grown to like it.

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    1. I'd love to run across a Vitsœ unit. They're so sleek and functional...but then what else would you expect from Dieter Rams?

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  6. Gorgeous and functional!! Bet you won't have this in house very long!

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    1. The mounting hardware was misplaced by the owner's movers, so as soon as we solve that problem, I imagine it will sell very quickly.

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  7. I love the vintage ad! I agree: I doubt this will stay on the store floor for long.

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    1. We've started a file of vintage ads and catalogs. In addition to being fascinating to read, they're the most reliable source for identifying pieces we find.

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  8. We had 2 George Nelson Omni units last year (Omni was the predecessor to CSS). I LOVED them. Beautiful and endlessly functional! Those were tough to let go of!

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    1. It's really easy to get attached to some pieces. We recently sold a beautiful Danish unit just a couple of days after we mounted it on the wall. I had hoped it would stick around a while so we could admire it. We just brought in a nice CADO unit that hasn't been put up yet, and I'm sure I'll get attached to it too.

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  9. The CSS concept is just awesome. Looks amazing too.
    I bet your Nelson CSS will go in a snap!

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    1. I have a feeling you're right. The lost hardware has been found, so it will soon be installed in the store.

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