Dwr Swivel

As a company that produced many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, Knoll was a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States. Led by Florence Knoll, the firm would draw stellar talents such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen into its compass. Their work would help change the face of the American home and office.

The company was formed in 1938 by the German immigrant Hans Knoll. He first worked with his fellow ex-pat, the Danish designer Jens Risom, who created furniture with flowing lines made of wood. While Risom served in World War II, in 1943 Knoll met his future wife, Florence Schust. She had studied and worked with eminent emigré leaders of the Bauhaus, including Mies, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. She won Knoll over with Bauhaus notions of industrial arts, and an aesthetic that featured flat and tubular metal frames and angular forms. When Hans died in a car crash in 1955, Florence Knoll was appointed head of the company. It was as much through her holistic approach to design — a core division of the firm was dedicated to planning office systems — as Knoll's mid-century modern furnishings themselves that she brought about the sleek and efficient transformation of the American workplace.

Today, classic Knoll furnishings remain staples of modern design collections and decor. A history of modern design is written in pieces such as the elegant Barcelona chair — created by Mies and Lilly Reich — Saarinen’s pedestal Tulip chair, Breuer’s tubular steel Wassily lounge chair and the grid-patterned Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia.

As you can see from the collection of these designs and other vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and tables on 1stDibs, this manufacturer's offerings have become timeless emblems of the progressive spirit and sleek sophistication of the best of modernism.

There are few pieces of furniture as functional and enjoyable as an antique or vintage swivel chair.

Ideal for home offices and cozy living rooms alike, these lovable chairs came to life thanks to none other than Thomas Jefferson. Indeed, the third president of the United States would’ve made a great interior designer, and the swivel chair that he designed, a Windsor chair that moved on window-sash parts reconfigured as rollers, supported him while he prepared the Declaration of Independence.

When choosing the right swivel chair for your space, consider functionality: If you’re going for comfort and seeking out the best swivel chairs for your living room, opt for a plush, enveloping Milo Baughman swivel chair or the equally welcoming seats designed by Vladimir Kagan or Edward Wormley. Alternatively, if your work-from-home space is limited and thoughts of the long day ahead are driving your purchase, a minimalist Industrial-style swivel chair or a brushed aluminum model from the likes of Emeco — home of the iconic Navy chair — may be your best bet.

From sculptural mid-century modern swivel chairs that will lend a bit of “pop” to your living space to practical contemporary seating, find a collection of antique, new and vintage swivel chairs on 1stDibs today.