About Heller
Modern design is serious fun.
Since 1971, Heller has championed a revolutionary idea: exceptional design shouldn't be exclusive. Through innovative manufacturing and an unwavering commitment to quality, we've transformed how people experience modern furniture—making the extraordinary accessible, the beautiful practical, and the timeless affordable.
Our Story
Our journey began when founder Alan Heller discovered a set of stackable dinnerware designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli. The original Italian manufacturer had closed, leaving this Compasso d'Oro-winning design without a home. Alan saw the opportunity to bring this brilliant design to America, launching Heller with the now-iconic Hellerware in 1971. Those vibrant, stackable plates and cups didn't just fill kitchen cabinets—they democratized good design, proving that plastic could be beautiful, durable, and worthy of museum collections.
This first success established our enduring philosophy: collaborate with the world's greatest designers to create products that are simultaneously sophisticated and accessible, using cutting-edge manufacturing to ensure they're built to last generations.
A Legacy of Innovation
In 1998, we expanded into furniture with Mario Bellini's revolutionary chair—a single-piece marvel that earned its own Compasso d'Oro in 2001. Since then, we've partnered with design luminaries including Frank Gehry, Philippe Starck, and a new generation of visionaries like Hlynur Atlason, Anna Dawson, and JUMBO Studios.
What Makes Heller Different
We take modern seriously (ourselves, less so). Our products embody four essential qualities:
- Timeless Design that transcends trends and contexts—equally at home in a SoHo loft or a suburban garden
- Uncompromising Function that puts comfort and usability first
- Sustainable Innovation including recycled materials, recyclability, and groundbreaking regenerative technology
- American Craftsmanship with our furniture proudly made in the USA
From our contract-grade Bellini chairs gracing museums worldwide to our playful Gehry cubes brightening public spaces, every Heller piece proves that modern design isn't about when something was made—it's about creating objects so well-conceived they remain relevant forever.
The Future of Forever
Today, Heller continues to push boundaries. We're nurturing emerging talent, developing revolutionary materials, and expanding what modern furniture can be. Our products ship ready from our warehouse because we believe great design should be accessible when you want it, not months later.
Whether it's a Fortune Chair inspired by an immigrant's first American meal or a Vignelli bench whose rational proportions work anywhere, every Heller product tells a story—of innovation, accessibility, and the enduring power of good design.
Welcome to Heller. Where modern is forever, and forever starts now.