The Herman Miller Summer Picnic Posters, Part One

The Beloved Picnic Posters plus Guests Emily Nunn, Kate McDermott and Domenica Marchetti Share Delicious Summer Fare

Herman Miller Summer Picnic Poster, 1985 by Stephen Frykholm.

It’s the 100th Anniversary of Herman Miller, the company that brought the legendary and lasting furniture designs of Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, Isamu Noguchi and more into our homes and offices.

To celebrate this milestone I thought it would be fun to look back at the posters that in-house graphic designer Stephen Frykholm created from 1970-1989 for the annual company picnics.

This from Herman Miller, A Way of Living by Phaidon:

Stephen Frykholm’s playful poster series enjoyed near universal acclaim — making art fans out of picnicgoers, and picnic fans out of museum attendees. In 1980 New York’s Museum of Modern Art was among the first institutions to acquisition the designs…The curator of a 1982 Smithsonian exhibition that featured Frykholm’s picnic poster art called it “a fitting part of the universal phenomenon of celebrations.”

I’ve asked some of the wonderfully talented people who write here on Substack if I could share recipes from their archives to bring some of the posters to life for our own summer celebrations.

Thank you so much to Emily Nunn, Kate McDermott and Domenica Marchetti for generously participating in Part One of The Herman Miller Summer Picnic Poster series.

Seven Layer Salad Summer Picnic Poster, 1982

Herman Miller Summer Picnic Poster, 1982 by Stephen Frykholm.

Emily Nunn’s Summer Roll in a Salad Costume

Want a masterclass in superb writing, wit and fabulous salads? Read Emily. — JH

A Summer Roll in a Salad Costume

Photo: Emily Nunn

Cherry Pie Summer Picnic Poster, 1975

Herman Miller Summer Picnic Poster, 1975 by Stephen Frykholm.

Kate McDermott’s ‘Best of Show’ Cherry Pie

Kate McDermott makes out-of-this-world pies, her home is called “Pie Cottage” and it is as enchanting as her prose. — JH

#78: Recipe for Best of Show Cherry Pie

Photo: Andrew Scrivani

Ice Cream Summer Picnic Poster, 1972

Herman Miller Summer Picnic Poster, 1972 by Stephen Frykholm

Domenica Marchetti’s Granita di Caffè con Panna and Pistachio Ice Cream with Shaved Chocolate

“Buona Domenica” is such a treat —every Sunday morning it’s like a quick trip to Italy. Gorgeous writing and food from Domenica Marchetti. — JH

Granita di Caffè con Panna

Photo: Domenica Marchetti

Recipe for Pistachio Ice Cream with Shaved Chocolate : HERE

Photo: Domenica Marchetti

Part Two of the Herman Miller Picnic Poster celebration next time with

Anne Byrn: Between the Layers

, Andrew Janjigian

Wordloaf

and

ingredient by Rachel Phipps

There will be corn, fried chicken, lemonade and more tasty surprises.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Jolene