The Hudson Valley story begins with founder David Litman, who knew from a young age how beautiful surroundings could positively impact everyday life. He and his mother had a love for antiques and the quality behind them, which inspired him to have an eye for beautifully designed and crafted lights.
However, lighting ran in the family even before David began Hudson Valley Lighting. His grandfather was greatly inspired by the introduction of fluorescent lighting to mainstream building industries at the New York World’s Fair and began to study lighting. David eventually had an apprenticeship in the lighting industry in his father’s commercial lighting factory, and although he attended college for a different major, he was drawn back to lighting and started his business: Hudson Valley Lighting.
Though the company was founded early in the century, they truly became popular in the middle of the century for hiring designers now associated with the mid century style. Charles and Ray Eames, arguably two of the biggest designers of mid century style, worked with the company to create iconic designs, but they were hardly the only big names to work at Herman Miller.
Regardless, as time went on, Herman Miller continued to adapt to the times with new and innovative styles that fit into industrial, modern, and contemporary styles. While they still create and design furniture, they’re also known for their artful lighting and decor - especially the George Nelson Bubble Lamps.