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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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Creator: Florence Knoll
2013 Florence Knoll Lounge / Club Chair in Grey Leather with Chrome Base
2013 Florence Knoll Lounge / Club Chair in Grey Leather with Chrome Base

2013 Florence Knoll Lounge / Club Chair in Grey Leather with Chrome Base

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is an original Florence Knoll Club Chair, model 1205S1. The piece was originally designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, and this particular example dates to 2013. The design featur...

Category

2010s American Modern Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Steel

1960s Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Three Seat Sofa in Black Fabric
1960s Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Three Seat Sofa in Black Fabric

1960s Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Three Seat Sofa in Black Fabric

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is an early Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Sofa, originally designed by Florence Knoll in 1955. This piece was produced in the USA and dates to the 1960s. The sofa features ...

Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Steel

Florence Knoll leather lounge chair 65 for Knoll International
Florence Knoll leather lounge chair 65 for Knoll International

Florence Knoll leather lounge chair 65 for Knoll International

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE

Florence Knoll leather lounge chair 65 for Knoll International. Produced from 1958-1975! This series has exceptional seating comfort and a timelessly modern look. Dxhxl: 78x81x72 cm...

Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Free-Standing Lacquered Credenza Designed by Florence Knoll, 1950s
Free-Standing Lacquered Credenza Designed by Florence Knoll, 1950s

Free-Standing Lacquered Credenza Designed by Florence Knoll, 1950s

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Dallas, TX

When Florence Knoll revolutionized private office design by replacing the typical executive desk with a table desk, she needed a place for all the filing and storage that had traditi...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Original Midcentury Florence Knoll Sideboard 1950 Ahorn Knoll Intenational
Original Midcentury Florence Knoll Sideboard 1950 Ahorn Knoll Intenational

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 Knoll International zum Verkauf an. Das von Florence Knoll entworfene Sideboard verfügt über zwei K...

Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Metal

2000 Florence Knoll Coffee Table w/ Chromed Steel Base and Marble Top 36 inch
2000 Florence Knoll Coffee Table w/ Chromed Steel Base and Marble Top 36 inch

2000 Florence Knoll Coffee Table w/ Chromed Steel Base and Marble Top 36 inch

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Florence Knoll Coffee Table, Model 2518MC, originally designed in 1956 by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates. This particular piece was produced in Italy in 2020. The tabl...

Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Marble, Steel

1950s Florence Knoll T Angle Square Dining Table with Black Laminate/Formica Top
1950s Florence Knoll T Angle Square Dining Table with Black Laminate/Formica Top

1950s Florence Knoll T Angle Square Dining Table with Black Laminate/Formica Top

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a T Angle dining table, Model 309, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1952. This particular example dates to the 1950s. It features a square top of black l...

Category

1950s American Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Steel

2019 Florence Knoll End Table 29 x 29 with Glass Top and Satin Frame
2019 Florence Knoll End Table 29 x 29 with Glass Top and Satin Frame

2019 Florence Knoll End Table 29 x 29 with Glass Top and Satin Frame

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a glass and satin chrome end table, model 2515T, designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll Studio. It was produced circa 2019 and was rarely used. Florence Knoll app...

Category

2010s American Modern Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Steel

1960s Florence Knoll Round Walnut Side Tables, A Pair Model 2562 T
1960s Florence Knoll Round Walnut Side Tables, A Pair Model 2562 T

1960s Florence Knoll Round Walnut Side Tables, A Pair Model 2562 T

By Knoll, Florence Knoll

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a pair of walnut and steel circular end tables, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in the 1960s. They feature round walnut tops supported by steel bases. The ...

Category

1960s American Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Steel

2015 Florence Knoll Two Seat Settee Loveseat Sofa in Purple Fabric, Model 1205S2
2015 Florence Knoll Two Seat Settee Loveseat Sofa in Purple Fabric, Model 1205S2

2015 Florence Knoll Two Seat Settee Loveseat Sofa in Purple Fabric, Model 1205S2

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is an original Florence Knoll Settee Sofa, Model 1205S2, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll in 1954. This particular example was produced by Knoll Studio in the USA in 2015. I...

Category

2010s American Modern Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Steel

Knoll Studio “Florence Knoll” Lounge Chair Armchair in Grey Wool
Knoll Studio “Florence Knoll” Lounge Chair Armchair in Grey Wool

Knoll Studio “Florence Knoll” Lounge Chair Armchair in Grey Wool

By Florence Knoll

Located in Barrowford, GB

On offer on this occasion is a rare, original “Florence Knoll” Lounge Chair, from the world renown furniture house of Knoll Studio, dressed in a sublime, tactile woven-wool fabric, a...

Category

2010s German Modern Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Metal

Tufted Leather Bench by Florence Knoll
Tufted Leather Bench by Florence Knoll

Tufted Leather Bench by Florence Knoll

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A two-section International style bench in chromed steel and tufted leather.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Steel

C. 1958 Pair of Florence Knoll 84 ULB Lounge Arm Chairs in Fabric and Wood
C. 1958 Pair of Florence Knoll 84 ULB Lounge Arm Chairs in Fabric and Wood

C. 1958 Pair of Florence Knoll 84 ULB Lounge Arm Chairs in Fabric and Wood

By Florence Knoll, Knoll

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is an unusual pair of Florence Knoll Armchairs, model 84 ULB, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1956. We date this pair to C. 1958, and the listed price includes the pair....

Category

1950s American Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture

Materials

Steel

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.

Questions About Florence Knoll Furniture

  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Florence 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Florence 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, 2022
    To 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Florence 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, 2024
    What 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, 2022
    No, 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.