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.
Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Two Position Credenza for Knoll Marble Top
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Secaucus, NJ
A classic and timeless design Florence Knoll two position credenza by Knoll. The iconic Florence Knoll low credenza works as well in the dining room as it does in the office. Feature...
Marble, Steel, Chrome
1960s Florence Knoll Rosewood 3-Drawer Dresser Cabinet with Marble Top
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Three-Drawer Dresser, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1958. This example dates to the 1960s and features a rich Brazilian rosewood veneer. The wooden ...
Steel
1960s Florence Knoll Twin Size Headboard in Walnut with Laminate, Model 740WP
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Twin-sized Headboard, Model 740WP, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates in 1956. This particular example dates to the 1960s. The piece has a frame of walnut, and...
Metal
1960s Pair of Florence Knoll Round Walnut & Steel Side Tables
By Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rare pair of 1960s walnut and steel circular end tables, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International. They feature round walnut tops supported by steel bases. This lovely pa...
Walnut
Original Midcentury Florence Knoll Sideboard 1950 Ahorn Knoll Intenational
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes und sehr seltenes Sideboard aus den 1950er Jahren von Florence Knoll zum Verkauf an. Das Sideboard wurde von Knoll International hergestellt und verfügt ...
Metal
1960s Florence Knoll Double Pedestal Executive Desk Chrome Wood Fully Refinished
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original double pedestal desk, model 1503, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1956. This example was manufactured by Knoll Associates in the early 1960s. It is constr...
Steel
Large oval table in marble and chrome by Florence Knoll Knoll Intl US circa 1961
By Florence Knoll
Located in Paris, FR
Largest model of the Florence Knoll 2480 dining table, designed in 1961 for Knoll International. The frame and legs are made of heavy gauge welded steel with a chromed finish. Arabes...
Marble, Steel, Chrome
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
1973 Florence Knoll International Slipper Lounge Chair Brown/Burnt Orange Fabric
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original 1973 Florence Knoll for Knoll International slipper lounge chair in burnt orange/brown fabric. This example is beautifully preserved and in honest orig...
Metal
Mid-Century Minimalist Teak Couch Side Table by Florence Knoll, 1950s
By Florence Knoll
Located in Hamburg, DE
Minimalist coffee table from Knoll International based on a design by Florence Knoll from the 1950s. Pure simplicity and minimalism. The design uses the simplest materials to create...
Metal
Florence Knoll Mid Century Relaxed Cube Club Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Florence Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Florence Knoll Mid Century Relaxed Cube Club Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 32.75 wide x 33.5 deep x 28.25 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height/chair clearance o...
Upholstery
Florence Knoll Coffee / Side Table with Laminate Top And Stainless Steel Base
By Florence Knoll
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Early Florence Knoll T-angle side table, produced by Knoll in 1952. The table has a original white laminate top and a stainless steel base. A nice example of classic modernist design...
Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll Side Table, Oak Top on Chrome Legs, USA, 1970s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Florence Knoll side table, oak top on chrome legs, USA, 1970s. Rare oak top.
Chrome
Knoll Early T Angle Extension Dining Table by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A well crafted smaller extension dining table with white Laminate top and satin black angled steel base with foot pads . This brilliant de...
Steel
1950s Original Vintage Florence Knoll Bedside End Side Table Walnut and Laminate
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a vintage 1950's Florence Knoll walnut and white laminate bedside table, produced by Knoll Associates. The table is in very n...
Laminate, Walnut
Knoll T Angle Side Table by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very nice simple side table with satin black T angled steel frame and with a white Laminate top . A very early production piece having the big fabric label to the bottom from Knoll...
Steel
$2,280Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century T Angle Walnut Panel coffee table or bench by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century T Angle Walnut Panel coffee table or bench by Florence Knoll. Made if T angle Iron frame painted black with (3) Walnut panel panels. Made in USA Circa 1950. Very clean re...
Iron
Florence Knoll T-Angle Coffee Table with Marble Top for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Florence Knoll T-Angle coffee table with marble top, Knoll International. Black enameled steel base with the signature architectural “T” profile, paired with a white marble slab. Ori...
Marble, Metal
Florence Knoll 51W Lounge Chair, 1955
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Hamburg, PA
SHIPPING COSTS NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR SHIPPING COST BEFORE PURCHASING. SEE SHIPPING INFORMATION BELOW. Designed by Florence Knoll in 1955 for Knoll Associates, this elega...
Upholstery, Walnut
Florence Knoll Mid Century Relaxed Cube Club Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Florence Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Florence Knoll Mid Century Relaxed Cube Club Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 33 wide x 33.5 deep x 29.5 high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height/chair clearance of 23...
Metal
Florence Knoll Square Marble Top Solid Chrome Base Side End Coffee Center Table
By Florence Knoll
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Florence Knoll square marble top solid chrome base side end coffee center table.
Marble, Chrome
Florence Knoll Walnut Dresser
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut chest of drawers with brushed steel base. Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll.
Walnut
Early Four Drawer Chest by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production, four drawer chest designed by Florence Knoll, 1948 for Knoll International. Chest constructed of solid maple with louvered drawers and sits on solid maple conical ...
Maple
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
Florence Knoll Solid Chromed Steel Tables with Floating Walnut Laminate Tops
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Original solid steel 24 inch square side tables by Florence Knoll with floating laminate walnut tops. We have multiple tables that can be used tide by side as a longer coffee table. ...
Steel, Chrome
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
Mid-Century Minimalist Model T-Angle Expandable Flip-Top Couch Side Table, 1950s
By Florence Knoll
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Minimalist Model T-Angle Expandable Flip-Top Couch Side Table by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1950s Convertible coffee table from the renowned manufacturer kn...
Metal
Mid-Century Minimalist Couch Side Table by Florence Knoll, 1950s
By Florence Knoll
Located in Hamburg, DE
Minimalist coffee table from Knoll International based on a design by Florence Knoll from the 1950s.Pure simplicity and minimalism. … Read more Minimalist coffee table from Knoll Int...
Wood
1960s Pair of Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Slipper Lounge Chairs in Cream Fabric
By Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Armless Slipper Lounge Chairs, Model 51, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1955. These examples date to the 1960s, and the ...
Steel
Mid-Century 'Model 51' Armless Slipper Lounge Chairs by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A refined pair of Mid-Century Modern “Model 51” armless slipper lounge chairs designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates. Characterized by their clean, architectural lines and l...
Fabric
1960s Florence Knoll Dining Table
By Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
1960s Florence Knoll Dining Table with an oval shaped marble top. The marble is supported by a wooden oval top on a solid chrome-plated steel base with 4 splayed legs. Can also be u...
Marble, Steel, Chrome
Vintage Florence Knoll modular leather sectional with Modernica tags
By Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Five-piece vintage Florence Knoll white leather sectional / living room set with Modernica tags. 1990s. Leather is in strong and supple with some signs of use and marks. Metal is ha...
Metal, Steel
iconic florence knoll oval walnut table
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
timesless and elegant florence knoll table, that can be used as dining table, conference table or desk.
Chrome
Florence Knoll Mid Century Relaxed Cube Club Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Florence Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Florence Knoll Mid Century Relaxed Cube Club Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 32.25 wide x 33 deep x 29 high, with a seat height of 18.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 2...
Metal
Florence Knoll Two-Door Cabinet in Teak-Wood
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll two-door cabinet in Teakwood, Finished on back. Features Notch pulls with chrome details, Four file drawers and Four pencil drawers, and chrome-plated adjustable feet....
Chrome
10' Florence Knoll Custom Monumental Dining Table in Absolute Black Granite MCM
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1960s mid century modern monumental double pedestal dining /conference table designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll spanning over 10’. This table features two chrome pedestal bases ...
Granite, Chrome
1960s Florence Knoll Cane and Walnut Full-Size Headboard
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a model 740 WP headboard designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1956. This particular example dates to the 1960s. The piece is constructed of walnut, and it ha...
Cane, Walnut
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
Stool No.75 by Florence Knoll, USA, 1950s
By Florence Knoll
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Designed by Florence Knoll, a legendary figure in modern design and co-founder of Knoll, this iconic Model 75 stool (often referred to as a hair-pin leg stool or side table) perfectl...
Metal
$1,520Sale Price|20% Off
Florence Knoll Chrome Coffee Table
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
Florence Knoll 30" chrome coffee table The Florence Knoll table has a spare, geometric presence that reflects the rational design approach Florence Knoll learned from Mies van der R...
Chrome
Four Drawer Chest by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll & Drake
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of four drawer chests designed by Florence Knoll, 1948 for Knoll International.
Maple
1990s Custom Florence Knoll Black Marble Oval Dining Table
By Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a custom Florence Knoll Dining Table, first designed in the United States in 1961. This particular example was produced in Italy in the 1990s, a custom order with two steel b...
Marble, Steel
1960s Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Three Seat Sofa in Fabric
By Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Sofa, Model 53, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1954. This example dates to the 1960s and was produced in the United States. The ...
Steel
Early Production Knoll Parallel Bar Cocktail Table by Florence Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Aquired from high end estate filled with early Modernist design. Early production parallel bar cocktail table by Florence Knoll, for Knoll Asscoiates. Possibly 1st year production,T...
Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll Mid Century Walnut and Chrome Dining Table
By Florence Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Florence Knoll Mid Century Walnut and Chrome Dining Table This dining table measures: 78 wide x 48 deep x 28 inches high, with a chair clearance of 26.75 inches Excellent Vintage C...
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 T Angle Walnut Bench
By Florence Knoll
Located in Gladstone, NJ
Florence Knoll T Angle Walnut Bench
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
Pair of Florence Knoll Settees with Green Geometric Upholstery
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century two-seat armless Settees with a green geometric upholstered seat and back cushions supported on black powder coated metal frames. (FLORENCE KNOLL / KNOLL...
Metal
Knoll Twins Inverse Ebony & Ivory Florence Knoll T-Angle Tables
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Hyattsville, MD
1950s Knoll Petite T-Anlge Black and White Bank Lobby Coffee Tables. Showing a lot of wear chips and scratches. White table has more wear, Black table is decent. Appear completely or...
Iron
2005 Florence Knoll Oval Dining Table with Steel Base and Wood Top
By Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Florence Knoll X-Base Dining Table that dates back to the year 2005. The table was produced by Knoll in Canada. The design features an oval wood top, paired with a sculptur...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Oval Executive Desk & Table by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Stafford, TX
Versatile table designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in the United States circa 1960s. This iconic design features a solid oval walnut wood top that sits over a chromed...
Chrome
Florence Knoll T-Angle Coffee Table
By Florence Knoll
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
The T Angle coffee table is a limited production produced by De Coene for Knoll International. This is an early and unique Florence Knoll design, which is noted in the “Knoll Furnitu...
Steel
Florence Knoll Walnut & Chrome Model 580 Dining Conference Table for Knoll, 1960
By Florence Knoll
Located in Deland, FL
Knoll International dining / conference table designed by Florence Knoll, walnut, chrome, table model 580, produced from 1958-1976. Large dining table with boat shaped top const...
Walnut
amazing no.26 florence knoll huge 245cm! sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
wonderful and all original florence knoll leather sofa. very unusual big size and in very good condition for it´s age.
Metal
A Pair Of Florence Knoll Angle Iron Tables Or Benches In Walnut
By Florence Knoll
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of classic Florence Knoll for Knoll angle iron coffee tables or benches with bookmatched walnut tops. Beautiful veneer, quality early Knoll product...
Wrought Iron
$8,202
'FK23' by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Brussels, BE
The iconic Oval FK23 designed in 1961 by Florence Knoll for Knoll. Fitting for 8 people as a dinning table or also used as an executive desk. The top is made of Calacatta marble and...
Carrara Marble, Chrome
Mid-Century Pair of Stools Model 75 by Florence Knoll, 1950
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Mid-Century Pair of Stools Model 75 by Florence Knoll, designed 1948 for Knoll Associates, USA.
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Florence Knoll, Chrome Base, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
This pair of original lounge chairs, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in the 1950s, captures the essence of mid-century modern design. With their clean architectura...
Chrome
Model 2530-6, 4-Seater Bench in Dedar Blue Fabric by Florence Knoll, USA 1960s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in GORINCHEM, NL
A refined and highly architectural example of Florence Knoll’s influential approach to modern furniture design, the Model 2530 four-seat bench perfectly embodies the disciplined eleg...
Steel, Chrome