Last week the SBD team had an opportunity to visit the Driehaus Museum to tour their “Art of Seating” exhibit that showcases 200 years of design. The museum explores the art, architecture, and design of the late 19th and early 20th century with a focus on the Gilded Age. It is located in the heart of the loop in the beautifully-restored Nickerson Mansion that is now owned by philanthropist, Richard Driehaus.
Upon entering, we were blown away by how detailed the museum is. Every inch of the home was thought out, and every design element was intentional including the woodwork, the tiles, the marble, and the wall coverings. As designers, it’s inspiring to see this amount of detail and intention. We were also impressed by the historic furnishings, many of which were done by the stained-glass master, Louis Comfort Tiffany, with numerous pieces from Richard Driehaus’ personal collection.
The Art of Seating exhibit was the main event, taking us through the evolution of seating design and showcasing how the design elements changed over time. It features chairs crafted by legendary designers George Hunzinger, the Herter Brothers, the Stickley Brothers, Frank Lloyd Wright, Isamu Noguchi, and more. With such an impressive collection, we suggest that you go check it out for yourself! You’ll be amazed by how truly beautiful this museum is, but if you can’t see it personally, then enjoy some highlights from our tour below: