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
Dealer: Modern Design Connection
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.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Fabric
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.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Velvet
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...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Metal
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.
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Florence Knoll 3-Seat Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Florence Knoll 3-seat sofa. Nice original condition.
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Fabric
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 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
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
Rare Sideboard No.119 by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
In my opinion the nicest sideboard of Florence Knoll. wonderful clear lines and a elegant touch.
does have a real back and can be used as room divider.
Category
1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Teak
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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...
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Mid-Century Modern Early Knoll Walnut 2-Door Credenza
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Early Florence Knoll 3-Seat Model 26 Sofa
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Very early Florence Knoll sofa, circa late 1940s, in vintage oatmeal nubby wool Knoll fabric, with down seat and back cushions. The six inset legs make...
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Mid century modern walnut chrome style of Knoll credenza cabinet
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Mid century modern walnut chrome style of Florence Knoll or George Nelson Thin Edge credenza/cabinet. It is a 75” long walnut credenza...
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Florence Knoll for Knoll Small Hanging Cabinet / Bar
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Located in Philadelphia, PA
Florence Knoll for Knoll 1 Door Folding down Cabinet. 2 Available, one other one is shown in listing with legs. Cabinets were designed to hang or flo...
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Red Leather 72" Bench by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
What a bold statement! Not the obligatory black leather, this Florence Knoll 72" Bench for Knoll is executed in the most exquisite red spinneybeck leather. Classic Knoll Design, fits...
Category
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1960s Florence Knoll Sofa Reupholstered in Wool Mohair
By Florence Knoll, 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...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Green Verde Marble Top Credenza or Cabinet
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek modern classic cabinet designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll. It features a dark mahogany case, stainless steel legs and a rare gree...
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
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H 25.5 in W 75 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll for Knoll with Black Marble Top Credenza
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek modern classic cabinet designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll. It features a dark mahogany case, stainless steel legs and a black mar...
Category
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Florence Knoll Bench
By Florence Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Very long Florence Knoll bench designed for Knoll, brown upholstery and chrome base, 8 legs, unusual size.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Florence Knoll Black Leather Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
A midcentury Knoll classic designed by Florence Knoll. This three person sofa features tufted black leather upholstery with chrome plated steel legs. Measures: 90".
Recently restored.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Pristine Florence Knoll Sofa for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pristine Florence Knoll sofa for Knoll International. Upholstered in gorgeous Sina Pearson fabric.
Florence Knoll was a pioneering designer and entrepreneur who created the modern look and feel of America’s postwar corporate office with sleek furniture, artistic textiles and an uncluttered, free-flowing workplace environment.
To connoisseurs of Modernism, the mid-20th century designs of Florence Knoll, were — and still are — the essence of the genre’s clean, functional forms. Transcending design fads, they are still influential, still contemporary, still common in offices, homes and public spaces, still found in dealers’ showrooms and represented in museum collections.
Ms. Knoll learned her art at the side of Modernist masters. She was a protégé of the German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eliel Saarinen, the Finnish architect and teacher and the father of the architect Eero Saarinen. And she worked with the renowned Bauhaus architects Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. Throughout her career, influenced by the German Bauhaus school of design, she promoted the Modernist merger of architecture, art and utility in her furnishings and interiors, especially — although not exclusively — for offices.
In the 1940s, she married and became a business partner of the German-born furniture maker Hans Knoll, and over 20 years she was instrumental in building Knoll Associates into the largest and most prestigious high-end design firm of its kind, with 35 showrooms in the United States and around the world.
While her husband handled business affairs, Ms. Knoll was the design force of Knoll Associates. It grew to become the leading innovator of modern interiors and furnishings in the 1950s and ’60s, transforming the CBS, Seagram and Look magazine headquarters in Manhattan, the H. J. Heinz headquarters in Pittsburgh and properties across the United States, Europe, Asia and South America, including American embassies.
Her “total design” favored open work spaces over private offices, and furniture grouped for informal discussions. It integrated lighting, vibrant colors, acoustical fabrics, chairs molded like tulip petals, sofas and desks with chrome legs...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Stainless Steel
Previously Available Items
Nice Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Lounge Chair
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Foam and fabric in good condition - recently re-upholstered with Kvadrat fabric. some use to metal.
Category
1930s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Fabric
No. 580 Walnut Dining or Conference Table by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
A wonderful table with amazing shape. 78cm at the ends - 105cm in the middle.
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Wonderful No.26 3-4 seater sofa by Florence Knoll / like new!
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
modern after all this years.... a matching set of 2 lounge chairs also available!
Reupholstered. Foam, webbing and fabric new!!
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Wonderful Set of No.25 Lounge Chairs by Florence Knoll / Like New
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Modern after all this years....
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Impressive Florence Knoll Executive Desk
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Big chromed base with oak top. Wonderful grain. Can also be used as conference or dining table. Early base with high adjustable ends.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Oak
Early Florence Knoll Rare Armchair or 3 Available
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
3 armchairs for re-upholstery. 3-seat sofa also available.
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Beautiful Florence Knoll Oval Table or Desk
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Walnut top and chrome base in wonderful condition. Designed in 1961.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Rare Florence Knoll No. 121 Hanging Cabinet
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Walnut outside and maple inside. Signed and documented.
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Early Walnut Sideboard by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
signed and in good condition. made by knoll international.
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Sideboard by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
made by knoll international.
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Furniture
Florence Knoll Stool No. 75 (3)
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Florence Knoll
Set of Three rare and early hairpin stool designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International. Legs are in enameled iron - laminate...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Furniture
Materials
Iron
Boat-Shaped Florence Knoll Coffee Table
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Florence Knoll
very nice boat shaped coffee table from Florence Knoll. Maple or birch wood on black tube steel legs. signed. Never seen in that size, special order?
Category
1950s American Mid-Century 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.
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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