The Bertoia wire bench gets my vote on this one.

Hey! Unfair question. :)

It would totally depend on the context. I can imagine them both looking great in the right place.

I will admit, I lust for the Knoll Bench. too bad it is bigger than my apartment.

I prefer the rectangular teak coffee tables. I think they are by Lane. They are in several House Tours and Home Cheap Home.

I completely agree that, in theory, the Nelson bench is a lovely, multitalented piece of furniture (although slats would cause me no end of trouble). Having said that, nothing says "modern bench" like the sleek sensuality of the Knoll.

I own the George Nelson bench but now am kind of sorry I do, because it has become such a cliche. Also, due to the slats, it's uncomfortable for sitting on or putting your feet on when reading or watching TV. The padding on the Knoll is way better. In white leather? fabulous.

Aalto bench 153A/B.

Tough, the Nelson is more iconic to me, the way the light filters through it is great. With that said, the Knoll is way more comfortable.

As for the best? Going with the Nelson on this one.

Someone beat me to the Bertoia bench.. by far a more elegant solution than Nelson and not as visually heavy as the Knoll.

thepeoplescortney - I've never seen the Bertoia Wire Bench before. Thanks for the info.

the bertoia wire bench is lovely, but you could buy almost a half dozen of the nelson bench for the cost of it. as for the nelson bench being cliche, it is a great design and great design is never cliche. if the piece works in a thoughtfully designed space, then who cares how many people have it? it is like using the same typeface for graphic design. we can use the same components for a vastly different end result. i wish the case goods that used the bench as a base were still in production, it made this such a versatile piece.

the knoll bench always felt a little too 'dynasty' to me. almost in the same way the barcelona chair seems a bit cold and used only by the super rich who more than likely didn't put much thought into it other than writing a check to their interior designer. i'm not saying these pieces cant and aren't used well, just that they seem uninviting in a way.