1980's Vintage Furniture

In 1985, Jonathan M. Nelson designed a chair while he attended Domus Academy in Milan, Italy.   The chair was wide above with dainty legs and was named TiTi,  an Italian named bird known for a similar body type.

Titi Chair

Once back in the U.S., Jonathan started to work on developing a furniture company manufacturing metal furniture with the Titi chair as its first piece.  He was able to work with prototype metal worker, Bill Bey in Bally, PA.  Bill was a metal fabricator who developed prototypes for many furniture companies, notably Knoll, and Richard Schultz, who were close by. 

Denise Pilato (Nelson), Bill Bey, Jonathan Nelson in the Bey's travel trailer, 1988

Once the Titi was developed, a design patent was applied for and received and it was produced in small production runs.  It was also, at the time, published in the book:  397 Chairs, which was a retrospective book on chairs designed in the 80's, sponsored by the Architectural League of New York. 

Chairs 326 & 327, by Jonathan Nelson

Here's the thing....when you're making a piece of furniture or a product, at the time, you never envision that one day it will be an antique or considered vintage...yet time passes and one day you're old(er), and it happens....

1stdibs catalog page

You find a product you designed years ago, for sale in an auction for vintage furniture.  In this case-- not too bad Jonathan Nelson....your father would be proud!  Congratulations!