Vintage Florence Knoll Relaxed Two-Seater Sofa Neutral Ivory
By Florence Knoll
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer this vintage Florence Knoll Relaxed Two-Seater Sofa for Knoll, circa 1970s–1980s, upholstered in a beautifully textured ivory wool blend fabric with poli...
Steel
Florence Knoll Relax Tabouret Model 2530 R1C
By Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The sleek, geometric design of this stool exemplifies the precise, rational approach to craftsmanship that Mies van der Rohe instilled in Florence Knoll. Its versatile style makes it...
Chrome
$11,995
H 32 in W 90.5 in D 32 in
Early Florence Knoll Relaxed Sofa with Paul Smith Maharam Upholstery
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Raleigh, NC
A design classic by Florence Knoll. A stunning vintage example newly upholstered in Paul Smith stripes by Maharam, with new foam. The chrome base shows its age and has some chrome l...
Chrome
$6,985
H 30 in W 52 in D 31.75 in
Vintage Florence Knoll Relaxed Two Seater Sofa and Chair Ivory - Set of 2
By Florence Knoll
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a vintage Florence Knoll set, a Relaxed two-seater sofa and a chair for Knoll, circa 1970s–1980s, upholstered in a beautifully textured ivory wool blend ...
Steel
Relax by Florence Knoll for Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Milano, IT
The Florence Relax sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll marked a turning point in American furniture design, adapting certain Bauhaus concepts to the American reality of the 1950s.
Metal
Knoll Florence Relaxed Two-Seater Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, this iconic two-seater reflects her architectural approach to furniture—restrained, geometric, and timeless.
Metal, Stainless Steel, Chrome
$8,475
H 30 in W 84 in D 32 in
Modernist Biscuit Tufted 'Relaxed' Sofa in Holly Hunt Fabric by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
This thoughtfully designed Modernist Biscuit Tufted 'Relaxed' Sofa in Holly Hunt Upholstery is by Florence Knoll, originating from the United States, Circa 2000.
Fabric
Knoll Two Seater Relax Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the ultimate in relaxation and comfort - the Two Seater Relax Sofa by Knoll. Crafted with high-quality materials, this sofa combines luxury with sophistication. Its sleek...
Steel
Florence Knoll Sofa with Down Cushions
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Beautiful Florence knoll Relaxed Sofa with custom cushions added.
Steel
Knoll Dusky Pink Fabric Relax Sofa by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the Knoll Dusky Pink Fabric Relax Sofa, a timeless piece designed by the renowned Florence Knoll.
Fabric
Florence Knoll for Knoll Dusky Pink Fabric Relax Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, this sofa is a fantastic example of the modern aesthetic of the era.
Fabric
Sold
H 32 in W 33 in D 32 in
Style of Florence Knoll Office Lounge Chair Relaxed Tuxedo Armchair 1950s Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Club Chair Florence Knoll Office Lounge Club Chair Relaxed Tuxedo Armchair Chrome Base Tan Upholstery- by Knoll Associates, Knoll Industries 1950s Dimensions: 32 H x 33W x 32 D Seat ...
Chrome
Sold
H 31.5 in W 63 in D 31.89 in
Pair of Knoll Studio Relax Sofa by Florence Knoll Beige Sand Leather
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
These timeless iconic sofas were designed in 1954 by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll International in the early 2000s. The pieces are upholstered in sand beige leather and are...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 31.5 in W 90.56 in D 30.71 in
Knoll 3 Seater Relax Sofa by Florence Knoll Mid Brown Cognac 1970s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
This timeless iconic sofa was designed in 1954 by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in the 1970s. The sofa is upholstered in an amazing Mid Brown Cognac leatherand has been rest...
Stainless Steel
1950s Style of Knoll Office Club Chair Relaxed Tuxedo Armchair
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Attribution Knoll Industries 1950s Office Lounge Chair Relaxed Tuxedo Armchair Chrome Base Tan Upholstery in the style of Florence Knoll 32 H x 33W x 32 D Seat 15 H Arm rest 23 No la...
Chrome
Knoll Florence Relaxed 3-Seater Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Offered is a brand new, never used Knoll Florence Relaxed 3-Seater Sofa — an authentic original from the iconic Florence Knoll Collection.
Metal, Chrome, Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll for Knoll Beige Fabric Relaxed Three Seater Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Rochester, England
Originally designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, this sofa is a fantastic example of the modern aesthetic of the era.
Fabric
Florence Knoll Relax Leather Three-Seat Sofa by Knoll Studio
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
Florence Knoll relax leather three-seat sofa by Knoll Studio Stunning Florence Knoll for Knoll Studio Relax leather three-seat sofa, the chrome frame supporting the finest cream S...
Chrome
Florence Knoll Relax Leather Three-Seat Sofa by Knoll Studio
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
Florence Knoll Relax leather three-seat sofa by Knoll Studio Stunning Florence Knoll for Knoll Studio Relax leather three-seat sofa, the chrome frame supporting the finest cream S...
Chrome
Sold
H 31.49 in W 32 in D 32.28 in
Florence Knoll Relax Leather Armchairs 1-Place, Pair by Knoll Studio, USA
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
Florence Knoll relax leather armchairs pair by Knoll Studio A pair of '1-Place' one-seat sofas or armchairs by Florence Knoll for Knoll Studio USA, the chrome frame supporting the...
Chrome
Sold
H 31.49 in W 32 in D 32.28 in
Florence Knoll Relax Leather Armchairs 1-Place Pair by Knoll Studio, USA
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
Florence Knoll relax leather armchairs pair by Knoll Studio A pair of '1-Place' one seater sofas or armchairs by Florence Knoll for Knoll Studio USA, the chrome frame supporting t...
Chrome
Florence Knoll Leather Sofa by Knoll Studio
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
The elegant and refined Florence Knoll Relax 2-seat sofa was designed for the leading manufacturer Knoll International by the much revered, American-born architect and designer Flore...
Chrome
Florence Knoll Leather Sofa by Knoll Studio
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
The elegant and refined Florence Knoll Relax 2-seat sofa was designed for the leading manufacturer Knoll International by the much revered, American-born architect and designer Flore...
Chrome
Florence Knoll Leather Sofa by Knoll Studio
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
The elegant and refined Florence Knoll Relax 2-seat sofa was designed for the leading manufacturer Knoll International by the much revered, American-born architect and designer Flore...
Chrome
Sold
H 16.54 in W 60.24 in D 15.75 in
Relax 3-seater leather bench by Florence Knoll for Knoll International 2000s
By Florence Knoll
Located in Sas van Gent, NL
Classic design by Florence Knoll, a Relax three-seat bench by Knoll studio finished in Volo leather parchment color, fully quilted and on a chrome base.
Steel, Chrome
Knoll International & Florence Knoll Banc relax
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, this bench is featured in the collection that bears her name. It works perfectly both in public and residential spaces; in your living room or b...
Leather
$15,439 / item
H 32.68 in W 110.24 in D 40.56 in
Art Deco Sofa by Munna Design Studio with Velvet Upholstery
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
This sofa features a wonderfully elegant fan-shaped motif, with its accentuated curvy lines with decadent and lavish finish. The feminine curves are ravishingly enhanced by the diffe...
Velvet
LU Swing Sconce
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful brass LU swing sconce made by Lumfardo Luminaires in patinated brass. Wired with an E26 medium based socket. Light bulb provided as well as all mounting hardware. Priced in...
Brass
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican Green Onyx
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican marble and Mexican onyx conglomerate, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a ...
Onyx
Murano Sputnik Spherical Green Glass and Brass Chandelier
Located in Roma, Lazio
A fantastic emerald green sputnik, with a surprising design and for its very low height, which allows it to fit in both high and low ceilings. Very elegant, it will furnish and decor...
Brass
Organic Modern Table Lamp Sculptural Parota Wood Base
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
Pata de Elefante Small Table Lamp — Atomic Collection by Isabel Moncada Named ""Elephant's Foot"" for its bold, bulbous base, the Pata de Elefante Small is one of Isabel Moncada's m...
Fiberglass, Linen, Fabric, Wood
Milo Baughman Chesterfield Style Tufted Sofa
By Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
Milo Baughman Chesterfield style tufted sofa with wood plinth base. In good vintage condition, circa 1980s Dimension: 84" long 32" deep 26" tall seat height 14".
Fabric
Large vintage 1950s red velvet curved sofa Italian design
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Large curved sofa with red velvet upholstery, black metal legs with gilt brass finials, Italian design, 1950s.
Metal, Brass
On Hold|$12,500
H 32 in W 82 in D 40 in
Postmodern Patinated Green Buffalo Leather Sofa by Roche Bobois
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Fabulous, perfectly patinated green buffalo leather sofa by Roche Bobois.
Leather
Todd Merrill Custom Blue Velvet Sectional Sofa and Ottoman
By Todd Merrill
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing monumental cobalt blue silk velvet sectional sofa with ottoman designed by Todd Merrill Custom for a Samantha Todhunter installation. Dramatic scale and presence inspired by ...
Steel
Saporiti Large Sofa in Structured Turquoise Upholstery
By Saporiti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Saporiti, sofa, fabric, metal, Italy, 1950s Large sofa manufactured by Saporiti. This sofa is designed to be comfortable, soft and inviting. It has three seats with round sloping ar...
Metal
Harvey Probber American Mid-Century Green Velvet Round Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century large round sofa with a low curved partial backrest and emerald green velvet upholstery with a button tufted removable seat cushion, resting on five short brass ...
Metal, Brass
Todd Merrill Custom Sectional Sofa with Schumacher Snow Leopard
By Schumacher, Todd Merrill
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental bespoke 9 piece modular sectional sofa having a double-tufted back designed by Todd Merrill for a Samantha Todhunter design installation. Dramatic scale and presence inspi...
Brass
$23,081
H 27.56 in Dm 118.12 in
Rare and Exceptional 'Gilda' Circle Sofa in Velvet by Michel Ducaroy, 1972
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Echt, NL
Very rare extra large 'Gilda' circle sofa in excellent condition. Designed by Michel Ducaroy in 1972. The sofa is manufactured by 'Roset' the company name of Ligne Roset prior to 1...
Metal
$27,500
H 46.46 in W 101.58 in D 20.28 in
Ernesto Valabrega for Studio Vittorio Valabrega Decorative Fireplace Mantel
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Valabrega for Studio Vittorio Valabrega, decorative fireplace mantel, lacquered wood, plaster, glass, iron, Italy, 1930s This striking decorative fireplace mantel, presumabl...
Iron
Mid Century Rosewood Case Sofa Jack Lenor Larsen
By Milo Baughman, Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid Century Modern Rosewood Case Sofa with Original Jack Lenor Larsen fabric. Chrome base. All cushions come off. 85w 34d 24h 15.5seat
Velvet, Rosewood
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Desk with Return
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Desk with Return This desk measures: 80.75 wide x 18.5 deep x 45 high The return measures: 59 wide x 29.5 deep x 29 inches high, with a c...
Chrome
Architect, furniture designer, interior designer, entrepreneur — Florence Knoll had a subtle but profound influence on the course of mid-century American modernism. Dedicated to functionality and organization, and never flamboyant, Knoll shaped the ethos of the postwar business world with her skillfully realized office plans and polished, efficient designs for sofas, credenzas, desks and other furnishings.
Knoll had perhaps the most thorough design education of any of her peers. Florence Schust was orphaned at age 12, and her guardian sent her to Kingswood, a girl’s boarding school that is part of the Cranbrook Educational Community in suburban Detroit. Her interest in design brought her to the attention of Eliel Saarinen, the Finnish architect and head of the Cranbrook Academy of Art.
Saarinen and his wife took the talented child under their wing, and she became close to their son, the future architect Eero Saarinen. While a student at the academy, Florence befriended artist-designer Harry Bertoia and Charles and Ray Eames. Later, she studied under three of the Bauhaus masters who emigrated to the United States. She worked as an apprentice in the Boston architectural offices of Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer; Ludwig Mies van der Rohe taught her at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
In 1941, she met Hans Knoll, whose eponymous furniture company was just getting off the ground. They married in 1946, and her design sense and his business skills soon made Knoll Inc. a leading firm in its field. Florence signed up the younger Saarinen as a designer, and would develop pieces by Bertoia, Mies and the artist Isamu Noguchi.
Florence Knoll's main work came as head of the Knoll Planning Group, designing custom office interiors for clients such as IBM and CBS. The furniture she created for these spaces reflects her Bauhaus training: the pieces are pure functional design, exactingly built; their only ornament from the materials, such as wood and marble. Her innovations — the oval conference table, for example, conceived as a way to ensure clear sightlines among all seated at a meeting — were always in the service of practicality.
Since her retirement in 1965, Knoll received the National Medal of Arts, among other awards; in 2004 the Philadelphia Museum of Art mounted the exhibition “Florence Knoll: Defining Modern” — well deserved accolades for a strong, successful design and business pioneer. As demonstrated on these pages, the simplicity of Knoll’s furniture is her work’s great virtue: they fit into any interior design scheme.
Find vintage Florence Knoll sofas, benches, armchairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.