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
Recognized Seller Listings
Rosewood Cabinet by Florence Knoll for Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood credenza with finished back and marble top. Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll.
Category
1960s Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Pair of Rosewood Cabinets by Florence Knoll for Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of rosewood credenzas / nightstands with finished backs and marble tops. Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll.
Category
1960s Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Marble
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sliding Door Storage Cabinet.
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sliding Door Storage Cabinet, Model 541, designed in 1952. This piece features square tubular chrome plated legs, painted lacquered doors and o...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sideboard in Teak
By Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, sideboard, teak, steel, walnut, United States, 1961
This minimalistic sideboard was made with the aim of creating office furniture that woul...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Rosewood Credenza by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood credenza with marble top. Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll.
Category
1970s Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Marble
Florence Knoll Triple Dresser in Oak and Travertine
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A triple dresser on brushed stainless base in oak with travertine tops. Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll.
Category
1960s Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Florence Knoll Oval Dining Table with 3/4"Italian Carrara Marble Top
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll Oval Dining Table with 3/4" Italian Carrara Marble Top and signature knife edge.
Legs are solid-steel plated.
Knoll Label on underside
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble
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
Category
1960s American Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Leather
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Teak and Grey Upholstery
By Knoll, 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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Florence Knoll Rosewood and Travertine Credenza
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood Florence Knoll credenza with travertine top.
Category
1970s Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Travertine
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sideboard with Marble Top
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, sideboard, lacquered oak, metal, Carrara marble, United States, 1960s.
Credenza with chromed base designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International. This exceptional and minimalistic designed credenza has elegant details, such as the chromed base and handles. The wood is lacquered into a deep black color, which nicely combines with the light white marble top with fine grey veins. The silver metal base and handles bring some freshness to the quite dark cabinet...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Metal
Large Florence Knoll Boat Shaped Conference Table in Walnut with Metal Frame
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Florence Knoll International, large dining table, walnut, metal, United States, 1963.
Large dining or conference table with boat shaped top in walnut. The table has six cylindrical metal legs. The top of this table shows the beautiful grain of the luxurious walnut. Nicely contrast of the natural and elegant top with modern and clean base. Due to its tapered shape, everyone at the table will be able to look each other in the eye. A perfect table for any dinner or meeting.
Florence Knoll (1917) was trained as an architect and had a sense of style from a very young age. During her school time at Cranbrook, Eliel Saarinen (then the headmaster) and his family included her in their family. In 1936 she met Alvar Aalto and was trained by Marcel Breuer, Walter Gropius and (as if the long list of eminent designers is not long enough) 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 she 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...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
Florence Knoll Hanging Cabinet for Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll Hanging Cabinet for Knoll International, Model 121
Birch case with drop front doors. Inside pull-out drawer with flatwar...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Leather, Birch
Florence Knoll Three-Seat Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll Three-Seat Sofa reupholstered with Great Plains "Teddy" warm silver heavy boucle made of alpaca, and wool.
Solid maple-turned tapered legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Bouclé, Maple
20th Century Florence Knoll Chromed Two Position Credenza Mod. 2544, 60s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Turin, Turin
In 1941 Florence moved to New York where she met Hans Knoll who was establishing his furniture company. With Florence’s design skills and Hans’ business acumen and salesmanship, the ...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Lounge Chair in Teak
By Knoll, Florence 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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Florence Knoll, Model 75 Stools, Birch, Iron, Knoll Associates, USA, 1948
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of birch and iron stools, model 75, designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll Associates, USA, 1948.
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Iron
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Brown Fabric Upholstery
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century rectangular museum bench with a brown fabric upholstered square channeled seat resting on a square chrome tube frame. (FLORENCE KNO...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Florence Knoll T-Bar Walnut Laminate Coffee / Cocktail Table
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century rectangular coffee / cocktail table with a walnut laminate top in three sections supported on a T-shaped black metal base. (FLORENCE KNOLL)(Similar table: DUF0082).
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Florence Knoll White Laminate and Walnut Square Nightstands / End Tables
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American mid-century square nightstands / end tables with white laminate tops above a walnut base with a single drawer, resting on four squar...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Wood, Laminate, Walnut
Pair of Florence Knoll / Knoll Light Orange Upholstered Settees
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century two-seat settees with peach color faintly textured upholstered seat and back cushions supported on black powder coated metal frames. (FLORENCE KNOLL / KN...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
Florence Knoll American Mid-Century T-Bar Walnut Coffee / Cocktail Table
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century rectangular coffee / cocktail table with a walnut top supported on a T-shaped black metal base. (FLORENCE KNOLL).
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Florence Knoll for Knoll International Brown Marble End / Side Tables
By Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American mid-century square end / side tables with brown marble tops resting on square steel bases with four square legs. (FLORENCE KNOLL FOR KNOLL INTERNATIONAL)(PRICED AS P...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Marble, Metal, Steel
Florence Knoll Eight-Drawer Credenza in Teakwood
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll Eight-Drawer Credenza in Teakwood, features Notch pulls with chrome details, Four file drawers and Four pencil drawers, chrome plated adjustable feet, with lock.
[Kno...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Chrome
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....
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates American Mid-Century Wooden Slat T-Bar Bench
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century rectangular bench with a wooden slat seat resting on a beige powder coated metal frame with four legs. (FLORENCE KNOLL FOR KNOLL ASSOCIATES).
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
Florence Knoll Circular Parallel Bar Cocktail / Coffee Table
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century 'Parallel Bar' cocktail / coffee table with a circular walnut top supported by three satin chrome-plated steel legs. (Florence Knoll).
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Beige Fabric Upholstered Lounge Armchair
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century lounge armchair with beige textured fabric upholstery and matching antimacassars, resting on four broad tapered wooden legs.(FLORENCE KNOLL FOR KNOLL INTERNATIONAL)
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Florence Knoll for Knoll International American Mid-Century Orange Upholstered L
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century lounge armchair with textured orange fabric upholstery, resting on four broad tapered wooden legs. (FLORENCE KNOLL FOR KNOLL I...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Fabric, Wood
Florence Knoll Dining Table with Cherry Wood Beveled Edge Top
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll dining table with Cherry Wood beveled edge top, features comb figured veneer with bird peck accents on a four-star chrome base legs solid...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Chrome
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.
Category
1970s North American Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll Custom Wall-Mounted Cabinet by Knoll Associates
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll custom wall-mounted cabinet by Knoll Associates for H.J. Heinz Co, Pittsburgh.
This custom wall-mounted cabinet with a Calcutta marble top...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Marble, Aluminum
Florence Knoll Dining Table or Desk in Grigio Marquina Satin Finish
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll dining table or desk in grigio marquina satin finish
78" long 48" wide and 29" high. Chrome plated steel base.
Versatile mini...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Marble, Steel
Florence Knoll Rosewood Dining Table or Desk
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll rosewood dining table or desk, highly figured rosewood veneer top with beveled edge detail. Solid steel brushed chr...
Category
1960s American Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll Desk
By Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Knoll International Planed Office Group double pedestal desk with modesty panel model 1503.
Features five drawers one for files.
Modesty panel shows steel reveal details.
(Ten mor...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Florence Knoll Side Tables
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of early brushed steel tables with ebonized wood tops. Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll.
Category
1950s Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll Wall-Mounted Cabinet
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare Knoll leather tab storage case, can hang on wall or sit on bench.
Walnut, with original faux laminate top.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
1960s Lounge Chair by Florence Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A lounge chair formed by an armless button-tufted upholstered seat resting on a matte steel, rectilinear architectural frame.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Eero Saarinen for Knoll International Set of Four Dining Chairs in Plywood
By Eero Saarinen, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll International, set of four dining chairs, coated iron, plywood, velvet, United States / Belgium, design 1948, production 1960s
Four organic shaped chairs des...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Iron
Florence Knoll Oval Dining Table
By Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Florence Knoll Desk
By Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Knoll International Planed Office Group double pedestal desk with modesty panel model 1503.
Features five drawers one for files.
Modesty panel shows st...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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