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.
Pair of Vintage Eero Saarinen Tulip Swiveling Stools for Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Metal
Florence Knoll Sofa Knoll International 3 Seater Knoll International Model 26
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, BE
Authentic mid-century collectible with documented provenance: This spacious Florence Knoll Model 26-3KC sofa was produced in the 1960s and upholstered in an exceptionally high-qualit...
Steel, Chrome
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Teak and Grey Upholstery
By Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, sofa, model '2557', fabric, teak, 1955 This sofa model 2557 is designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1955. This sofa is simpl...
Fabric, Teak
Florence Knoll for Knoll Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Fuchsia
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An iconic sofa designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in the early 1960s. It features a stainless steel frame with fuchsia tweed upholstery.
Stainless Steel
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa c 1950/60's
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Incredible Mid Century classic sofa, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International ( Knoll Park Ave ). This iconic sofa displays all the sophistication, quality and beauty expec...
Chrome
Monumental Florence Knoll Bench or Coffee Table
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Custom unique Florence Knoll bench for Knoll is black leather and chrome frame. Amazing opportunity to own a one of a kind piece. This bench can also make a great soft ottoman.
Steel, Chrome
Florence Knoll - Vintage Sofa Knoll International, Mid-Century Modern 1954
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Vintage sofa by Florence Knoll, designed in 1954 for Knoll International – a true icon of modernist furniture and architectural elegance. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, ...
Steel, Chrome
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. Featuring a chrome f...
Fabric
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
$2,178Sale Price|50% Off
Rare No. 33 Sofa by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Seldom seen 3-seat version of an iconic design by Florence Knoll.
Velvet
Florence Knoll Leather Bench
By Florence Knoll
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Florence Knoll Dark Brown Button Tufted Bench Good original surface Manufacturers label present
Leather
Florence Knoll Sofa in Patterned Dedar Jacquard Velvet, De Coene, Belgium, 1950s
By Dedar, De Coene Frères, Florence Knoll
Located in The Hague, NL
A rare three-seat sofa designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International and produced by De Coene in the late 1950s. From 1954 onwards, the renowned Belgian manufacturer De Coene pr...
Steel
Knoll Saarinen Armchair Light Gray With Chrome Base Set of 5
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Bensalem, PA
Nice set of 5 modern Knoll Saarinen armchairs please feel free to reach out with any questions
Chrome
Mid-Century Button-Tufted Black Leather Armless 3-Seat Sofa
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century (Knoll style) armless black leather 3-seat sofa with chrome steel base and classic button-tufted leather seat & back Light wear, consistent with use.
Steel
Rare Florence Knoll Model 65 Slipper Lounge Chair, 1956
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
Slipper chair designed in 1955 by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll International. Rare Model No. 65, only produced from 1955-1973. We bought this chair directly from the family ...
Chrome
Florence Knoll for Knoll Ox Blood Leather Bench, 2 Available
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Florence Knoll for Knoll Ox-Blood Red 60" Leather and Chrome Bench. Very nice shape. Two Benches available! one has one small dull spot as seen in photos and the other has rub mar...
Chrome
$6,776Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of 1st edition easy chairs 25 BC by Florence Knoll in velvet, 1950s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in The Hague, NL
Beautiful set of club chairs, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International. The chairs have been newly upholstered and covered in cotton velvet. Literature: Knoll Furniture 19...
Stainless Steel
Wonderful No. 26 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Rare no.26 by florence knoll in showroom condition. Hardly used only re-upholstered and used one time for a photo shooting and very exclusive model redone with very cosy fabric in wa...
Metal
Fabulous Florence Knoll Sofa Knoll International 3 Seater Sofa , Mid-Century
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pemberton, NJ
This vintage Florenc Knoll 3 seater chrome sofa is really an amazing piece of furniture that has it all. These sofas are extremely well made and incredibly comfortable. Florence Kn...
Chrome
Pair of Florence Knoll Fabric and Steel Ottomans 1965
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Florence Knoll Model 1209PC Fabric and Steel Ottomans, 1965 Reupholstered in Spinneybeck Leather A classic pair of Florence Knoll ottomans...
Steel
Lounge Chair by Florence Knoll for Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A lounge chair formed by an armless button-tufted upholstered seat resting on a matte steel, rectilinear architectural frame.
Steel
90in Vintage Mid-Century Knoll Three-Seat Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
Iconic Florence Knoll three-seat sofa in original berry fabric. Chrome legs. Chrome has been restored. Measures: 90 in.
Chrome
1960s Florence Knoll Sofa Reupholstered in Wool Mohair
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A stunning vintage 1960s Florence Knoll sofa that we had redone and reupholstered in a beautiful Kravet wool mohair. Color is called indigo blue. A rich navy color. We had 6 extra ba...
Steel
Vintage Restored Florence Knoll Armchairs in Pierre Frey Teddy Mohair
By Florence Knoll
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
These are so beautiful and so comfortable. We love the architectural lines and geometric profile of this iconic Florence Knoll design. This pair is an early example with the walnut l...
Mohair, Velvet, Walnut
$3,500 / item
2 Florence Knoll Upholstered Benches
By Florence Knoll
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
2 Florence Knoll benches Original red upholstery. Labeled Sold individually, price is for 1 bench.
Steel
Vintage Florence Knoll Slipper Lounge Chairs Restored in Leather
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful set of unique and very high-quality 'slipper chairs' model 51W, an early design by American designer Florence Knoll dates from 1955 and is becoming more rare to find nowa...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,728Sale Price|44% Off
Very Early and Rare No. 578 Sofa by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Designed in 1954. Original condition. should be re-upholstered.
Fabric
Pair of Classic Florence Knoll for Knoll Studio Tufted Tan Leather Lounge Chairs
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic Florence Knoll tufted leather lounge chairs, originally designed in 1954, this pair is of recent production. Original Spinneybeck tan leather on satin chrome frame, both an u...
Chrome
$5,225Sale Price|44% Off
Florence Knoll Brown Sofa ~ Model 2577
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Florence Knoll three seat sofa by Knoll Associates. Model 2577. Original Naugahyde brown upholstery with chrome-plated steel base. Signed with Knoll Associates paper label. USA, ci...
Metal, Chrome
2022 Florence Knoll Three Seat Bench in Dark Brown Leather and Chrome
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Florence Knoll Bench, designed for Knoll in 1954. This bench dates to 2022, and is seemingly pristine (or near pristine). The design incorporates a simple chromed steel fra...
Steel
Pair of beige 51W Florence Knoll Lounge Chairs by Knoll Associates, USA, 1950s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of 51W florence Knoll lounge chairs by Knoll Associates, USA 1950s The chairs have a vintage upholstery. We are offering also reupholstery in our in house workshop.
Fabric, Wood
2012 Florence Knoll 3 Seat Leather Sofa w/ Custom Leather
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a classic Three Seat Sofa designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in 2012. The sofa was custom ordered for the executive suite of a corporate office in New York City...
Steel
Florence Knoll 2-Seater Sofa, Classic Mid Century Modern, Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Florence Knoll 2 seater 'lounge series' sofa with original 2nd generation upholstery in a coarse woven off-white mottled wool fabric. This sofa d...
Chrome
Pair of Early Production Florence Knoll for Knoll Lounge Chairs
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of Florence Knoll lounge chairs on maple legs. Early 1950s production. Recently covered in a Knoll Pullman chenille style textile .
Maple
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Lounge Chair in Teak
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, lounge chair, model '51', teak, fabric, United States, 1955 This slipper chair model 51 is designed by Florence Knoll. The teak frame of the chair is sleek in form. The angled seat is placed upon the squared-off frame. Maximum seating comfort is ensured by the wide seat and tilted backrest. Florence Knoll (1917-) was trained as an architect and had a sense of style from a very young age. In 1936 she met Alvar Aalto and was trained by Marcel Breuer, Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe. This meant that although she was barely out of her teens, she was educated by the best of the European modernists. When she arrived in New York Knoll worked on interior projects (being the only female) which is how she came to know Hans Knoll. When Florence joined Knoll, the planning unit started. Florence also made sure that the designs where more 'American Modernist' instead of Scandinavian, When Hans Knoll died she...
Fabric, Teak
$19,800 / set
Florence Knoll Armchairs in Pierre Frey Teddy Mohair
By Florence Knoll
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
These are so beautiful and so comfortable. We love the architectural lines and geometric profile of this iconic Florence Knoll design. This pair is an early example with the walnut l...
Mohair, Walnut
$5,154 / set
Set of six early Jens Risom chairs. France 1950.
By Jens Risom, Florence Knoll, Jean Prouvé, Marcel Gascoin
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Set of six chairs designed by Jens Risom. The oldest model features a solid oak structure and natural reed weaving for both the backrest and seat. The chairs have developed a beautif...
Oak
Florence Knoll for Knoll International 3-Seated Beige Upholstered Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American three-seated sofa upholstered in a beige weave with low back, and 3 removable seat cushions, standing on a metal frame with 6 legs. (FLORENCE KNOLL FOR KNOLL INT...
Chrome
Knoll Florence Relaxed 3-Seater Sofa
By Florence Knoll, 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. This piece reflects Florence Knoll’s design...
Metal, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Rare 'Model 66' 2-Seater Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Rare 2-seater sofa designed by Florence Knoll Basset around 1955. This armless version is called ‘Model 66’ or ‘Slipper’ and features a slim black lacquered base in steel with a funk...
Steel
Pair of Mid Century Modern Slipper Chairs designed by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of Mid Century Modern Slipper Chairs designed by Florence Knoll. They feature sleek, straight lines, creating the feeling of simplicity and elega...
Chrome
Knoll Florence Relaxed Two-Seater Sofa
By Florence Knoll, 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. With softened proportions and deeper ...
Metal, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Florence Knoll Bench in Holly Hunt Leather
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Exemplifying the superb craftsmanship and enduring elegance of mid-century modern design, the iconic Florence Knoll bench graces your living space with a touch of timeless sophistica...
Steel
Florence Knoll two-seater sofa in mustard yellow leather, 1970
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Bring timeless elegance into your interior with this iconic vintage two-seater sofa designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1954. Manufactured in the early 1970s under ...
Chrome
Florence Knoll Tan Leather Button Tufted Lounge Chair, 1970s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Florence Knoll lounge chair in tan leather with button tufted seat and back on a chrome-plated steel base. Labeled Art Metal - Knoll Corp., June 9 1971 The chair has some losses to ...
Steel
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Mid-Century Upholstered Lounge Armchair
By Florence Knoll
Located in San Francisco, CA
an early 1950s production Florence Knoll for Knoll International lounge chair with loose back and seat cushions all resting on four turned tapering legs
Upholstery
Knoll Associates Couch, Park Avenue, New York, Made in Italy
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Knoll Associates sofa on steel frame. Sofa has been restored with new webbing, foam and upholstery. Label located on the left hand side of sofa. Label is Knoll Associates, 320 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022. Made in Italy. Upholstered in Knoll textile called Infinite in Sugar (Infinite is a highly usable upholstery and wrapped panel fabric showing continuous circles defined by a fine black outline...
Steel
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Blue Upholstery and Steel
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, sofa, model '67A', steel, fabric, United States, design 1958, production 1960s/70s This sofa model 67A is designed by Florence Knoll for Knol...
Steel
Sofa by Florence Knoll Bassett for Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in MADRID, ES
Sofa model ’67C’ designed by Florence Knoll and manufactured by Knoll International. Chromed steel frame and original fabric. Germany, 1950s. Length: 216cm Width: 65cm Height: 83cm ...
Steel
Florence Knoll 1950s Parallel Bar Chair Fab Abstract Black and White Bird Fabric
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Florence Knoll 1950s Parallel Bar Chair with Fab Abstract Black and White Bird Fabric The Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Lounge Chair, Model 51, is a classic example of mid-century mod...
Metal, Steel
Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Sofa
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Sofa. This was reupholstered at one point in time in an off white faux leather vinyl. There are a couple areas of damage to ...
Steel
$8,000 / set
Pair of Florence Knoll Leather Ottomans 1965
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Florence Knoll Model 1209PC Leather Ottomans, 1965 Reupholstered in Spinneybeck Leather A classic pair of Florence Knoll ottomans, model...
Steel
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Florence Knoll Bench
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A vintage Florence Knoll bench purchased out of a local Palm Springs estate. It had been nicely reupholstered and we liked the fabric and left i...
Steel
$12,705 / item
Florence Knoll International 4-seater sofa leather
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Telgte, DE
Exceptional, balanced design Manufacturer: Knoll International Design: Florence Knoll Florence Knoll transferred the principles of the architecture of her time to the design of fur...
Steel
1960s Florence Knoll Chrome and Green Mohair Bench 36x18 2x Available
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Florence Knoll Bench, designed for Knoll in 1954. This particular example dates to the 1960s. The design incorporates a simple chromed steel frame with a padded seat that i...
Steel
$8,200 / set
Pair of Lounge Chairs
By Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
These are classic and good condition chairs! The upholstery is original and in pretty acceptable condition if one does not want to re-upholster. Hard to find this originality. Flor...
Steel
Knoll Parallel Bar Sofa Re-Upholstered in Knoll Rivington Fabric
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely complete re-upholstered vintage Knoll Parallel Bar Sofa or 2 seat settee. The fabric we chose to use is a sophisticated all-over multi...
Steel
$3,266Sale Price|40% Off
Very Early and Rare No. 578 Sofa by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
From the estate of the famous architect Viljo Revell. Hard foam. Designed in 1954. Original condition.
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Florence Knoll Club Chairs
By Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of original Knoll club chairs with polished chrome bases designed by Florence Knoll, circa 1960s. Vintage condition with Knoll Associates Park Ave labels intact. Please confirm...
Upholstery
1950s Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Three Seat Sofa for Reupholstery
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an early Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Sofa, Model 53, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1955. This piece was produced in the USA at around the same time. It is a ...
Steel