Henry Shepley, a partner in the prominent Boston architecture firm Coolidge Shepley Bulfinch and Abbot, asked Breuer to furnish the entrance hall of their newly designed building for the B. B. Chemical Company. Breuer ordered Isokon chairs and six of the largest plywood nesting tables. He also designed some custom furniture for the space, including six chairs and two sofas with cut-out plywood sides. The firm of Irving & Casson - A. H. Davenport Co. manufactured Breuer's custom designs. Shepley reported that the President of the company had received comments that the furniture looked too small for the lobby. Shepley graciously stated that he thought the proportions of the lobby were at fault, rather than Breuer's furniture but asked Breuer to suggest a few taller pieces to ameliorate the situation.