Florence Knoll Furniture
American, 1917-2019
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.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Creator: Florence Knoll
Early Florence Knoll Armless Sofa and Chair Set
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an early and rare Knoll sofa and chair set. This sets one and only home was non-other then a Richard Nuetra estate in the Hollywood Hills. N...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll Coffee Table, White Laminate, Black Steel Frame
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Signed Florence Knoll cocktail table. Original white laminate and lacquered steel legs and frame. Very heavy duty construction and super durable.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
20ft Vintage Midcentury Florence Knoll Conference Table
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
Florence Knoll
Trained as an architect, Florence Knoll's own pieces for Knoll are simple, architectural designs that stand the test of time. Her lounge seating, sofas, tables, and...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Classic Florence Knoll for Knoll Studio Tufted Tan Leather Lounge Chairs
By Florence Knoll, 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...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Lovely Pair Florence Knoll Chrome Marble Side End Tables Mid-Century Modern
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair of Florence Knoll chrome and marble side tables. The larger has an awesome green shiny marble with tons of white veining-19" T...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Marble, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Modular Sectional Sofa, 1960s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Landscape sofa that provides unique comfort and modern straight lined.
This stunning formed sofa has a frame of chromed steel and is finished in finest beige fabric.
Its outstandin...
Category
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll Rosewood Table or Bench
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Highland, IN
This stunning long piece by Florence Knoll can serve as either a coffee table or a bench. A base of brushed steel supports a segmented top of rich, bookmatched rosewood. Florence's r...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Parallel Bar Sofas By Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A "parallel bar" frame sofa with a button tufted back on chromed steel legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Exclusive Credenza with Refrigerator and Marble Top, by Florence Knoll, 1961
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Schagen, NL
When Florence Knoll transformed the traditional private office configuration by replacing the executive desk with a table, she needed to provide an alternative to the lost storage sp...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Marble, Steel
Early Vintage Florence Knoll Dining Table or Desk
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Early vintage Florence Knoll dining table.
Model 301
Literature: Knoll Furniture 1938-1960, Rouland and Rouland, pg 105
Comes with 1 (18") leaf.
Measures: 60" wide without le...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Wood
Architectural Florence Knoll T-Angle Table Bench
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Early Florence Knoll 'T-Angle' table bench with original black laminate tops. Would serve well and an oversized coffee table or cocktail table but it is built in a way that would eas...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Early Production Florence Knoll End or Occasional Table Knoll, New York
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic modernist architectural design white laminate round top solid polished steel "x" base, retains early Knoll label.
Florence Knoll Bassett (born May 24, 1917) is an American...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Quite Unique Florence Knoll Three-Door Hanging Cabinet
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Designed in 1947 and made by Knoll International. Only build on special order.
One drop front door and two sliding doors. One cutlery drawer and several shelfs.
Signed. Teak wood -...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Florence Knoll Side or End Table by Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Highland, IN
This great little table designed by Florence Knoll perfectly exhibits her highly refined design sensibility and the quality of vintage Knoll production. The round teak top is support...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll Sofa Set
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
an early and hard to find sofaset . complete restored to perfect condition !
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Sideboard by Florence Knoll Bassett for Knoll International, 1960s, set of 2
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Lasne, BE
Set of 2 wooden sideboards with metal legs and 4 drawers. Wear due to time and age.
Category
1960s Central American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
Sideboard 541 by Florence Knoll Bassett for Knoll International, 1950s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Lasne, BE
Wooden sideboard with 4 doors containing 2 drawers, 2 shelves and a large shelf by Florence Knoll. The handles are in metal. Wear due to time and age of the sideboard.
Category
1950s Central American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
Florence Knoll Sideboard Wall Mounted 1952 Seagrass Teak by Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Munster, NRW
Extremely rare wall-hung sideboard (Mod°123) from 1952, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International - this version was produced in 1952 in a small edition by Knoll in Stuttgar...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Seagrass, Teak
Florence Knoll for Knoll 72” Black Leather Bench
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Florence Knoll 72" Black Leather Bench for Knoll. Classic Knoll Design! Fits in perfectly to so many spaces! Functional and Elegant. All Original Condition with some nice patina....
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Double Wall Wardrobe by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, Germany, 1960
By Florence Knoll
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Double wall wardrobe by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, Germany, 1960.
Beautiful wall cabinet made by Knoll International, see also the sticker in the photo.
These ca...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Knoll Parallel Bar Sofa in Gray Velvet
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Providence, RI
Completely restored Knoll Parallel Bar sofa. Minor wear to the steel, appropriate for its age. All upholstery and foam replaced.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Floating Sideboard Seagras Florence Knoll International Mid Century Model 123
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, BE
Extremely rare wall-hung sideboard (Mod°123) by Florence Knoll produced by Knoll International Stuttgart in 1952.
The sliding doors are woven with seagrass.
The body is made of walnu...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Seagrass, Walnut
Florence Knoll Seagrass Sideboard Model 116
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Sideboard model 116 designed by Florence Knoll in 1948 for Knoll International, USA. The sliding doors are woven with Seagrass, a beautiful warm and subtle detail. Stitched leather s...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
Florence Knoll T-Angle Dining Table for Knoll Associates
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Saint Paul, MN
The T Angle dining table by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates is a sleek and modern addition to any dining room. With its unique frame, it adds v...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Iron
Coffee Table "Tulip" by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Florence Knoll
Located in Brussels , BE
Coffee table "Tulip" by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, 1960s.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Marble
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard 116 by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1952
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Sideboard by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1952. Veneered with maple wood with characteristic handles from brown leather. The sliding doors are covered with coarse, bright ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Walnut Credenza
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
As part of the furniture of Cydsa (Celulosa y Derivados, S.A.) founded in 1945 in Mexico, credenza in walnut, with two shelves by side, restored on the outside and changing the color...
Category
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
Early Production 3 Drawer Chests Designed by Florence Knoll / Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic architectural design. Early production dresser or chest of drawers designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International.Retains original KNOLL label.
Beautiful walnut grain ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Early Production Florence Knoll 3-Drawer Chest/ Dresser / Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic architectural design ,, Early production dresser or chest of drawers designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International.Retains original KNOLL label..
Beautiful walnut gr...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll Black and White Lacquered Credenza
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A modern take on the Classic, presented is an eye-catching black and white lacquered sideboard/credenza designed by architect and designer Flor...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
Florence Knoll International Chair Armchair Model 25 BC
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This armchair was designed by Florence Knoll Bassett for Knoll International.
Model 25 BC. From the 1960s and rare.
It features the original black, white, and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Florence Knoll International Sofa Model 25 BC
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This sofa was designed by Florence Knoll Bassett for Knoll International.
Model 25 BC. From the 1960s and rare.
It features the original black, white, and ecru...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Original Florence Knoll Marble Oval Dining Table or Desk for Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Echt, NL
Largest version of the Florence Knoll 2480 dining table or desk in very good condition.
Designed in 1961 for Knoll International.
The frame and legs a...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Chrome
Early Florence Knoll No. 75 Stool for Knoll Associates, circa 1950
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Florence Knoll designed No. 75 stool for Knoll Associates. Comprised of a round birch seat supported by three wrought iron hairpin style legs with white enamel finish and the origina...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Florence Knoll furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Florence Knoll furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Florence Knoll furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Florence Knoll were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Adrian Pearsall, Harvey Probber, and Craft Associates. Prices for Florence Knoll furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $600 and can go as high as $30,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,800.
Creators Similar to Florence Knoll
Questions About Florence Knoll Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Florence Knoll made a number of well-known furniture designs and founded the company Knoll, Inc. Some of her most acclaimed pieces include the Florence Knoll lounge chair, the Florence Knoll sofa, the Florence Knoll bench and the Florence Knoll settee. Shop a variety of Florence Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
- Who is Florence Knoll?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Florence Knoll was an architect and furniture designer who greatly influenced mid-century design. She established the furniture company Knoll, Inc., which continues to manufacture pieces inspired by her designs. Knoll died on January 25, 2019, at the age of 101. Find a collection of Florence Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To pronounce Florence Knoll, say "FLO-rens Noll." The "K" in the designer's last name is silent. Florence Knoll's maiden name was Florence Marguerite Schust, pronounced "shusht." She changed her name after marrying Hans Knoll in 1946. Find a range of Florence Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
- Where does Florence Knoll live?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Florence Knoll lived in the U.S. throughout her life. She was born in Saginaw, Michigan, on May 24, 1917, and she died in Coral Gables, Florida, on January 25, 2019. From 1940 to 1941, she attended the Chicago Armour Institute in Chicago, Illinois. After that, she lived and worked in New York City for many years. On 1stDibs, find a range of Florence Knoll furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024What Florence Knoll called the Womb chair after it was created is unknown. However, its creator Eero Saarinen stated that Knoll inspired him to make the piece by asking him to design the most comfortable chair ever, saying specifically that she wanted something that felt like "a basket full of pillows." Presented with the challenge, Saarinen went primal. What, the designer figured, better signifies the very essence of comfort than the womb? "It was designed on the theory that a great number of people have never really felt comfortable and secure since they left the womb,” the designer said of his chair. Find a selection of vintage Womb chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022No, Florence Knoll didn't usually put a number on her pieces. To identify Florence Knoll furniture, look for a tag or mark that bears the name "Knoll" or "Knoll, Inc." On chairs, the labels are usually on the bottom cushion. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted Florence Knoll furniture.
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