The Millers visited the Knoll and Herman Miller showrooms in New York to select furniture for the house. Writing to the Millers after their trip, Girard makes his case why the Eames Compact Sofa is the right sofa for the Millers. It seems the Millers had serious reservations about purchasing the sofa.

Alexander H. Girard to J. Irwin Miller, 11 December 1955, 1/6, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f006_096-099)

On this day, Alexander Girard wrote to Florence Knoll (known as Shu by friends and colleagues) after the sudden death of Hans Knoll, her husband and business partner at Knoll Associates. Along with offering condolences, Girard also detailed an upcoming visit by J. Irwin and Xenia S. Miller to the Knoll showroom in New York City.

Alexander Girard to Florence “Shu” Knoll, 28 November 1955, 1/1, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f001_010)

Alexander Girard sent a memo to J. Irwin and Xenia S. Miller before a trip to the Herman Miller and Knoll showrooms in New York City. The memo details items that needed to be inspected and selected for the new house, including a desk for the guest room, a kitchen table, and side tables. Along with the memorandum, Girard sent leaves from the 1955/1956 Herman Miller collection trade catalog.

Alexander Girard to J. Irwin Miller, 14 November 1955, 1/1, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f001_018-020)

Alexander Girard wrote to J. Irwin Miller and offered candid observations on the personalities of Hans Knoll and Dan Kiley. Girard also answers questions about various interior decorating matters that Miller posed in a previous letter.

Alexander Girard to J. Irwin Miller, 1/1, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_B001_f001_096-100)

After visiting both the Herman Miller and Knoll showrooms, J. Irwin Miller wrote to Alexander Girard to share his and Xenia’s thoughts on various items for the new house.

J.Irwin Miller to Alexander Girard, 7 December 1955, 1/1, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f001_007-008)