George Nelson is an interesting historical figure who was behind some of the most iconic office furniture and leisure furniture designs in history.

However George Nelson, the man who designed truly distinctive furniture, is quite curiously underexposed.

The late American designer is recognisable through some of his more notable furniture pieces like his 1940’s 'atomic' clocks and the amazing marshmallow sofa, behind these furniture pieces lies a wealth of superior engineered and subtle designs. There have been few books on Nelson who died in 1986 and even less exhibitions.

When George Nelson worked as design director at Herman Miller he cultivated the industry careers of Ray Eames and Isamu Noguchi, however, his reputation appears overshadowed by theirs.

Recently some of London’s contemporary and vintage stores have been paying homage to the understated designer as they host a joint selling exhibition of Nelson's office furniture and social furniture designs which feature rare products which are currently out-of-production.

Why do some of the furniture show's curators feel that Nelson has been under appreciated?

Simon Alderson said:

“It may be down to the eclecticism of Nelson's work, that it can't be easily pigeon-holed. Nelson was much freer than the Eameses - he understood how sculptural form can emanate from anatomical form”.

When Ettore Scottsass, Italian designer maestro met George Nelson in Milan, he wrote:

“I don't know if you have ever happened to receive a calm, absolutely calm man in your house, and suddenly you know the air around you has changed, that words have changed, that normal reference points of your life have changed.' Wow! Ever have the feeling you've been missing out on something?”