Florence Knoll Seating
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
Knoll Saarinen Armchair Light Gray With Chrome Base Set of 5
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Bensalem, PA
Nice set of 5 modern Knoll Saarinen armchairs please feel free to reach out with any questions
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Chrome
Pair of Florence Knoll Leather Ottomans 1965
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Florence Knoll Model 1209PC Leather Ottomans, 1965
Reupholstered in Spinneybeck Leather
A classic pair of Florence Knoll ottomans, model...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel
$6,400 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Florence Knoll - Vintage Sofa Knoll International, Mid-Century Modern 1954
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Vintage sofa by Florence Knoll, designed in 1954 for Knoll International – a true icon of modernist furniture and architectural elegance. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Vintage Eero Saarinen Tulip Swiveling Stools for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Metal
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa c 1950/60's
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Incredible Mid Century classic sofa, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International ( Knoll Park Ave ). This iconic sofa displays all the sophistication, quality and beauty expec...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Chrome
Florence Knoll for Knoll Ox Blood Leather Bench, 2 Available
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Florence Knoll for Knoll Ox-Blood Red 60" Leather and Chrome Bench. Very nice shape. Two Benches available! one has one small dull spot as seen in photos and the other has rub mar...
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Chrome
Florence Knoll Three-Seater Sofa Mid Century Modern 1955, Model 2557
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a Three-Seater Sofa by Knoll.
Sofa model 2557 is designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1955
91 w x 29 h x 31.5 d Seat 17 h x 22 d Arm rest 22....
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Expertly Restored - Vintage Harry Bertoia Diamond Wire Chair for Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Metal
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 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel
Pair of 'Parallel Bar' Lounge Chairs by Florence Knoll for Knoll, 1954
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Fantastic pair of lounge chairs in beautiful cognac leather from the ‘Parallel Bar’ series designed by Florence Knoll Basset around 1954. Probably manufactured around 1960 by De Coen...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Metal
Florence Knoll for Knoll International 3-Seated Beige Upholstered Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American three-seated sofa upholstered in a beige weave with low back, and 3 removable seat cushions, standing on a metal frame with 6 legs. (FLORENCE KNOLL FOR KNOLL INT...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Chrome
Relax by Florence Knoll for Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Milano, IT
The Florence Relax sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll marked a turning point in American furniture design, adapting certain Bauhaus concepts to the American reality of the 1950s. For o...
Category
2010s Italian Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Metal
Florence Knoll Sofa in Patterned Dedar Jacquard Velvet, De Coene, Belgium, 1950s
By Dedar, Florence Knoll, De Coene Frères
Located in The Hague, NL
A rare three-seat sofa designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International and produced by De Coene in the late 1950s. From 1954 onwards, the renowned Belgian manufacturer De Coene pr...
Category
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll 1950s Parallel Bar Chair Fab Abstract Black and White Bird Fabric
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Florence Knoll 1950s Parallel Bar Chair with Fab Abstract Black and White Bird Fabric
The Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Lounge Chair, Model 51, is a classic example of mid-century mod...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Metal, Steel
Monumental Florence Knoll Bench or Coffee Table
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Custom unique Florence Knoll bench for Knoll is black leather and chrome frame. Amazing opportunity to own a one of a kind piece. This bench can also make a great soft ottoman.
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Set of two cognac leather Florence Knoll lounge chairs model 65a
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in The Hague, NL
Model 65A arm chair is a design by Florence Knoll from 1956. The chair is part of a seating group that consisted of an armchair with or without armrests (slipper Chairs) and a sofa w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Chrome
$7,148 Sale Price / set
29% Off
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 Seating
Materials
Metal
Vintage Florence Knoll Bench
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A vintage Florence Knoll bench purchased out of a local Palm Springs estate. It had been nicely reupholstered and we liked the fabric and left i...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel
$2,240 Sale Price
20% Off
Red Florence Knoll Lounge Chairs
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of vintage Florence Knoll lounge chairs on steel bases. We have these totally refurbished and re-upholstered in red Maharam Messenger fabric. The bases have been polished, and...
Category
20th Century American Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel
$3,600 / set
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 Seating
Materials
Fabric
$3,574 Sale Price
33% Off
Pr. Mid Century Lounge Chairs designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Pair of iconic mid century club chairs designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates ( Park Ave ). These chairs are in very good, clean, ready to use condition, they were reuphol...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel
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...
Category
1950s American Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Mohair, Walnut
$19,800 / set
Early Florence Knoll Relaxed Sofa with Paul Smith Maharam Upholstery
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Raleigh, NC
A design classic by Florence Knoll. A stunning vintage example newly upholstered in Paul Smith stripes by Maharam, with new foam.
The chrome base shows its age and has some chrome l...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Chrome
Florence Knoll 2-Seater Sofa, Classic Mid Century Modern, Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
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...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Chrome
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Mid-Century Upholstered Lounge Armchair
By Florence Knoll
Located in San Francisco, CA
an early 1950s production Florence Knoll for Knoll International lounge chair with loose back and seat cushions all resting on four turned tapering legs
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Pair of Florence Knoll Model 65 Chrome Slipper Lounge Chairs, 1973
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of Florence Knoll Chromed Steel & Oatmeal Fabric Lounge Chairs. Featuring 1 inch reflective sturdy, solid Chromed Steel constructed framework, ergonomic angled rear legs and bac...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Chrome
Early Florence Knoll Settee
By Florence Knoll
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Early Florence Knoll Settee
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Rare Florence Knoll Model 65 Slipper Lounge Chair, 1956
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
Slipper chair designed in 1955 by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll International.
Rare Model No. 65, only produced from 1955-1973. We bought this chair directly from the family ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Chrome
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 Seating
Materials
Leather
Early Florence Knoll Armless Sofa and Chair Set
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sets one and only home was a Richard Nuetra estate in the Hollywood Hills. Price is for both items
All items are viewable at our Los Angeles Arts District showroom and warehou...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Stainless Steel
$4,750 Sale Price
50% Off
Florence Knoll, Model 75 Stools, Birch, Iron, Knoll Associates, USA, 1948
By Knoll, Florence 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 Seating
Materials
Iron
Florence Knoll Early 1950's Sofa with Magazine Holder
By Florence Knoll
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates sofa with built in magazine holder, circa early 1950s. This example is upholstered in a pumpernickel Knoll boucle which pops beautifully next to t...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Walnut
1950s Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Three Seat Sofa with Updated Oatmeal Hopsack
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an early Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Sofa, Model 53, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1955. The sofa features an updated oatmeal hopsack upholstery which was pr...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel
Pair of beige 51W Florence Knoll Lounge Chairs by Knoll Associates, USA, 1950s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of 51W florence Knoll lounge chairs by Knoll Associates, USA 1950s
The chairs have a vintage upholstery. We are offering also reupholstery in our in house workshop.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Teak and Grey Upholstery
By Florence Knoll, 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 Seating
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Pair of Armless Lounge Chairs, Model 65, by Florence Knoll for Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Dorchester, MA
Florence Knoll designed these slipper chairs in 1956 as part of a seating group that joined comfort with a clean-lined modernism. The chromed steel frames are canted at back and the ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Button-Tufted Black Leather Armless 3-Seat Sofa
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century (Knoll style) armless black leather 3-seat sofa with chrome steel base and classic button-tufted leather seat & back
Light wear, consistent with use.
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll 1960's Original Brown Mohair with Chrome Legs Vintage Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Wilton, CT
***2 AVAILABLE****Original 90" Brown Mohair Florence Knoll Vintage Sofa with Chrome plated stainless steel legs and sturdy inner wooden frame. This iconic 3 cushioned sofa was desig...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Mohair
Florence Knoll Sofa in Bronze Gray Velvet & Brushed Brass Base
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
Modern day obsession with Mid-Century design wouldn't exist if not for the momentous efforts of Florence Knoll. The most significant chapter in Knoll’s life was spent devoted to her ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Brass, Steel
Modernist Biscuit Tufted 'Relaxed' Sofa in Holly Hunt Fabric by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
This thoughtfully designed Modernist Biscuit Tufted 'Relaxed' Sofa in Holly Hunt Upholstery is by Florence Knoll, originating from the United States, Circa 2000. Featuring a chrome f...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Fabric
Pair of 1st edition easy chairs 25 BC by Florence Knoll in velvet, 1950s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in The Hague, NL
Beautiful set of club chairs, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International. The chairs have been newly upholstered and covered in cotton velvet.
Literature:
Knoll Furniture 19...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Stainless Steel
$6,672 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Florence Knoll for Knoll Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Fuchsia
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An iconic sofa designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in the early 1960s. It features a stainless steel frame with fuchsia tweed upholstery.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll International 4-seater sofa leather
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Telgte, DE
Exceptional, balanced design
Manufacturer: Knoll International
Design: Florence Knoll
Florence Knoll transferred the principles of the architecture of her time to the design of fur...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel
$12,510 / item
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 Seating
Materials
Velvet
$2,859 Sale Price
33% Off
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Mohair, Velvet, Walnut
Architectural 'Parallel Bar' Lounge Chairs / Sofa Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic American modern design.
Clean lines upholstery.
Accentuating the architectural form.
Redone a few years ago.
The bases are in original vintage condition showing minor wear ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel
Florence Knoll two-seater sofa in mustard yellow leather, 1970
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Bring timeless elegance into your interior with this iconic vintage two-seater sofa designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1954. Manufactured in the early 1970s under ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Chrome
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Lounge Chair in Teak
By Florence Knoll, 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 Seating
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Lounge Chair by Florence Knoll for 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 Seating
Materials
Steel
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 Seating
Materials
Chrome
$4,900
Florence Knoll Sofa White leather
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Ghedi, IT
Presenting a timeless Florence Knoll sofa, an icon of mid-century modern design, upholstered in pristine white leather. This elegant piece, in goode condition, showcases Knoll’s sign...
Category
1990s Italian Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Leather
Florence Knoll Brown Sofa ~ Model 2577
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Florence Knoll three seat sofa by Knoll Associates. Model 2577. Original Naugahyde brown upholstery with chrome-plated steel base.
Unsigned.
USA, circa 1960-1970.
Dimensions: 90.7...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Metal, Chrome
$5,225 Sale Price
44% Off
1960s Florence Knoll Sofa Reupholstered in Wool Mohair
By Knoll, Florence 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 Seating
Materials
Steel
$12,600 Sale Price
30% Off
Living Room Set by Florence Knoll, USA, 1960
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A stunning living room set from the “Parallel Bar” series, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, manufactured in the United States of America, circa 1960.
Made of the highest quality chrome-plated metal with beautiful beige fabric upholstery. The seats have a wonderful modern design that are very recognizable for the style of Knoll. Smooth, modern and very inviting! The armrests add to the wonderful seating comfort. This set will make a wonderful addition to any decor, adding style, class and comfort the interior!
The sizes for the chair are W. 79 x D. 50 x H. 77 (SH. 41) cm
The sizes for the sofa are W. 158 x D. 48 x H. 75 (SH. 38) cm
The set remains in very good condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
Florence Knoll Bassett (born May 24, 1917) is an American architect and furniture designer who studied under Mies van der Rohe and Eliel Saarinen. She was born Florence Schust.
In 1938, Hans Knoll founded his furniture company by that name in New York. In 1943, Florence Schust convinced Hans she could help bring in business to his company even in America’s wartime economy by expanding into interior design by working with architects. With her architectural background and design flair, she succeeded. They married in 1946, she became a full business partner and together they founded Knoll Associates. A new furniture factory was established in Pennsylvania and dealers in Knoll’s furniture were carefully added over the next several years.
Florence Knoll felt architects should contribute their design ability to furniture as well. Some of these furniture designs would become design icons of the 20th century and have remained in the Knoll line for decades due to their timeless design. When Hans Knoll died in a car accident in 1955, Florence Knoll took over operation of the company. Florence Knoll herself designed chairs, sofas, tables and casegoods during the 1950s, many of which remain in the Knoll line to this day. In 1958 she married Harry Hood Bassett.
Her American interpretation of Minimalist, rationalist design theories is clearly evident in Knoll’s storage pieces. She mixed woods and metals to great effect and added laminates as they became popular. Dressers and desks are all square in design but never lack for quality. Hanging cabinets have glass shelves, sliding doors and drop down fronts that can be used as bars.
As an architect, Knoll’s most famous creations are the Connecticut General Life...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Metal
$5,790 / set
Bench or Coffee Table by Florence Knoll, Walnut and Black Angle Iron, Stunning
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Florence Knoll architectural bench / coffee table. Three walnut panels on a black angle iron frame. Expertly refinished. No signs of use. Beautiful.
Category
1960s Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Settee by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful Mid-Century Modern settee designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates, Inc. in the United States, circa 1960s. This settee has a clean design around its edges and an el...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel, Chrome
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Iron
1950s Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Three Seat Sofa for Reupholstery
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an early Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Sofa, Model 53, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1955. This piece was produced in the USA at around the same time. It is a ...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Steel
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.
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Modern Florence Knoll Chrome Base Sofa Newly Upholstered
By Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Florence Knoll Chrome Base Sofa Newly Upholstered in a Blue Velvet
Beautiful MCM Florence Knoll Sofa made in the Style of Jonathan Adler's Lampert Sofa...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Seating
Materials
Chrome
Florence Knoll seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Florence Knoll seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating 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 seating by George Nelson, Selig, and Ward Bennett. Prices for Florence Knoll seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $850 and can go as high as $30,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,368.
Creators Similar to Florence Knoll
Questions About Florence Knoll Seating
- 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 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.
- 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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