Herman-Miller's newly introduced Aalto Collection is really something to behold — and be held by. There's a spirit-lifting warmth and comfort that exudes from each piece, both as an icon of modern art and as incredibly practical and embracing furniture.

The Famous Aalto Armchair 400

With its low-slung look and solid shape, the Aalto Armchair 400 was affectionately nicknamed the "Tank."

The wide, sturdy armrests are made of bent, laminated birch. Birch is a wonderfully durable wood that ages gracefully, taking on a rich, honey color.

The fun Zebra print upholstery adds dramatic flair to the simple and elegant chair shape.

And it's large enough for lounging — the seat measures 23 1/2" deep, 21 3/4" wide, and 14 5/8" high.

The Aalto Tea Trolleys

Either alone or in concert with the Tank, the Aalto Tea Trolley also has that has a refined, contemporary look and comes in two configurations.

The strong, light frames are thick layers of birch formed into closed loops and cut into narrow sections. The large white wheels are banded with durable, floor-sensitive black rubber tread. Of course, the handle and edge banding are also solid birch.

The Tea Trolley 900 (pictured on the left) features a rattan basket and a ceramic tiled surface. The Tea Trolley 901 has shelves with black linoleum or white laminate surfaces.

The Aalto K65 High Stool

OK, I confess: when I first saw this piece the word "comfort" didn't exactly spring to mind. Man, was I surprised.

The low back and simple seat on this taller version of Aalto's famous stool adds just the right amount of support. It's perfect for a breakfast bar (or any bar, for that matter).

Simple and sturdy, the seat has a solid birch core with birch laminate and face material. It also has a beautiful patina and is available in three colors: birch, black, red, or white.

Check out the entire Aalto Collection

These are just a few examples of a collection that is equally easy on the eyes, the back and the environment.

Birch is a nontropical, renewable resource. (Artek, the exclusive manufacturer of the Aalto Collection, plants two birch trees for every one used in the production of Aalto furniture.)

Aalto felt rapid industrialization was leading to social alienation where people were slipping into a secondary role. So he brought a human perspective to design and, in the process, became a pioneer of modernism with a clear message: Aesthetics and functionality belong to all.

And, true to this post-Industrial Age philosophy, the entire collection is handcrafted. There's also less waste and less glue used during the manufacturing process. Laminated layers are only used where the leg bends; the rest is solid wood.

Click here to visit our Aalto Collection page. Or, if you like, you can give us a call toll-free at 1-877-MY-OFFICE and one of our experts will be happy to answer all your questions.