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.
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Teak and Grey Upholstery
By 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...
Fabric, Teak
Pair of Mid Century Florence Knoll Lounge chairs with chrome base
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Mid Century Florence Knoll Red / Orange Lounge chairs with chrome base. Pair of 1960s Lounge Chairs for Knoll International designed 1954. Both have original Knoll Cato uphol...
Steel, Chrome
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...
Steel
Early MODERNIST Lounge Chair designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll 1940s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early production,, late 1940's iconic modernist club chair designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll A ( Park Ave ). in good, clean, ready to use (original) condition, minor wear consist...
Fabric, Teak, Walnut
Florence Knoll Sofa Knoll International 3 Seater Knoll International Model 26
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, BE
Authentic mid-century collectible with documented provenance: This spacious Florence Knoll Model 26-3KC sofa was produced in the 1960s and upholstered in an exceptionally high-qualit...
Steel, Chrome
Florence Knoll Sofa. Expertly redone in Charcoal Robert Allen Chenille Fabric.
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Armless Florence Knoll parallel bar sofa expertly reupholstered in Robert Allen Chenille fabric. Charcoal gray. Beautiful and comforta...
Steel, Chrome
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.
Stainless Steel
$6,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Steel
$4,900
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.
Chrome
$4,197 / set
Set of six early Jens Risom chairs. France 1950.
By Jens Risom, Jean Prouvé, Florence Knoll, Marcel Gascoin
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Set of six chairs designed by Jens Risom. The oldest model features a solid oak structure and natural reed weaving for both the backrest and seat. The chairs have developed a beautif...
Oak
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Chrome
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.
Steel, Chrome
Eero Saarinen for Knoll International Set of Six Dining Chairs in Fiberglass
By Florence Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll, set of six dining chairs, model 72, chrome-plated steel, leather, fiberglass, design United States, production Belgium 1960s Set of iconic chairs designed b...
Steel, Chrome
$2,280Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Iron
Wonderful No. 26 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence 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...
Metal
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...
Fabric, Teak
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...
Fabric
$2,704Sale Price|44% Off
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.
Fabric
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...
Chrome
$2,158Sale Price|50% Off
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.
Velvet
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, ...
Steel, Chrome
Florence Knoll Bench in Holly Hunt Leather
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Exemplifying the superb craftsmanship and enduring elegance of mid-century modern design, the iconic Florence Knoll bench graces your living space with a touch of timeless sophistica...
Steel
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 ...
Chrome
Collection Walter Knoll Black Leather Foot Stool 1970s Germany
By Bernd Münzebrock, Florence Knoll
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Black Leather foot stool or ottoman . Design by bernd münzebrock for Collection Walter Knoll 1970s Germany. signed .
Leather
Fabulous Florence Knoll Sofa Knoll International 3 Seater Sofa , Mid-Century
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pemberton, NJ
This vintage Florenc Knoll 3 seater chrome sofa is really an amazing piece of furniture that has it all. These sofas are extremely well made and incredibly comfortable. Florence Kn...
Chrome
$10,400Sale Price|20% Off
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.
Chrome
Florence Knoll Sofa in Patterned Dedar Jacquard Velvet, De Coene, Belgium, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, De Coene Frères, Dedar
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...
Steel
$19,800 / set
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...
Mohair, Walnut
90in Vintage Mid-Century Knoll Three-Seat Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
Iconic Florence Knoll three-seat sofa in original berry fabric. Chrome legs. Chrome has been restored. Measures: 90 in.
Chrome
Model 578 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Karis, Nyland
Elegant and architectural sofa designed by Florence Knoll, model 578, produced by Knoll International in the 1950s. The design reflects Knoll’s signature balance of clean lines and f...
Metal
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...
Mohair, Velvet, Walnut
Vintage Florence Knoll Seating Sofa Group by Knoll Studio Black Leather
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
This timeless iconic sofa living room set was designed in 1954 by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll International in the 1980s. The complete set features an amazing patinated and ...
Stainless Steel
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
Leather
Florence Knoll Model 25 Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair
By Florence Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Florence Knoll Model 25 Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair This chair measures: 31.75 wide x 33.5 deep x 28.5 high, with a seat height of 17.75 and arm height/chair clearance of 28.5 i...
Upholstery, Walnut
Florence Knoll Leather Bench, Knoll Associates Inc.
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Florence Knoll bench with early label Knoll Associates, Inc. Madison Ave, NY. We had the bench redone in brown leather. Bench measures 80" wide, 20" deep and 17.5" high. The bench...
Steel
Florence Knoll Cream Leather Love Seat Sofa With Chrome Base
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Bensalem, PA
Amazing condition, cream leather sofa by Florence Knoll please look at video and pictures for overall detail. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Chrome
$6,000Sale Price / set|20% 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...
Steel
Knoll Saarinen Armchair Light Gray With Chrome Base Set of 5
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Bensalem, PA
Nice set of 5 modern Knoll Saarinen armchairs please feel free to reach out with any questions
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A pair of exceptional vintage lounge chairs by legendary designer Florence Knoll, manufactured by Knoll International in the early 1960s during the golden age of American modernism. ...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Early Florence Knoll Relaxed Sofa with Paul Smith Maharam Upholstery
By Florence Knoll, 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...
Chrome
2012 Florence Knoll 3 Seat Leather Sofa w/ Custom Leather
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a classic Three Seat Sofa designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in 2012. The sofa was custom ordered for the executive suite of a corporate office in New York City...
Steel
$3,500 / item
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.
Steel
Lounge Chair by Florence Knoll for Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A lounge chair formed by an armless button-tufted upholstered seat resting on a matte steel, rectilinear architectural frame.
Steel
Mid-Century Button-Tufted Black Leather Armless 3-Seat Sofa
By Knoll, Florence 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.
Steel
A Pair Of Florence Knoll Angle Iron Tables Or Benches In Walnut
By Florence Knoll
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of classic Florence Knoll for Knoll angle iron coffee tables or benches with bookmatched walnut tops. Beautiful veneer, quality early Knoll product...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Florence Knoll Fabric and Steel Ottomans 1965
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Florence Knoll Model 1209PC Fabric and Steel Ottomans, 1965 Reupholstered in Spinneybeck Leather A classic pair of Florence Knoll ottomans...
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...
Metal, Steel
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. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 18...
Iron
Mid-Century Patio Lounge Chairs Florence Knoll Richard Schultz
By Richard Schultz, Florence Knoll
Located in Baltimore, MD
Set of four patio lounge armchairs by famous designer Richard Schultz for Florence Knoll, made in the United States, circa 1960's. Superbly crafted, each features aluminum white pain...
Aluminum
Knoll Florence Relaxed 3-Seater Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Offered is a brand new, never used Knoll Florence Relaxed 3-Seater Sofa — an authentic original from the iconic Florence Knoll Collection. This piece reflects Florence Knoll’s design...
Metal, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Knoll Associates Couch, Park Avenue, New York, Made in Italy
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Knoll Associates sofa on steel frame. Sofa has been restored with new webbing, foam and upholstery. Label located on the left hand side of sofa. Label is Knoll Associates, 320 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022. Made in Italy. Upholstered in Knoll textile called Infinite in Sugar (Infinite is a highly usable upholstery and wrapped panel fabric showing continuous circles defined by a fine black outline...
Steel
Rare 'Model 66' 2-Seater Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Rare 2-seater sofa designed by Florence Knoll Basset around 1955. This armless version is called ‘Model 66’ or ‘Slipper’ and features a slim black lacquered base in steel with a funk...
Steel
1960s Pair of Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Slipper Lounge Chairs in Bask Leather
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Armless Slipper Lounge Chairs, Model 51, originally designed by Florence Knoll in 1955. These examples date to the 1960s and have...
Steel
Pair of Mid Century Modern Slipper Chairs designed by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of Mid Century Modern Slipper Chairs designed by Florence Knoll. They feature sleek, straight lines, creating the feeling of simplicity and elega...
Chrome
Knoll Florence Relaxed Two-Seater Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, this iconic two-seater reflects her architectural approach to furniture—restrained, geometric, and timeless. With softened proportions and deeper ...
Metal, Stainless Steel, Chrome
$3,237Sale Price|40% Off
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.
Fabric
Pair of beige 51W Florence Knoll Lounge Chairs by Knoll Associates, USA, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, 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.
Fabric, Wood
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
Upholstery
Florence Knoll 51W Lounge Chair, 1955
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Hamburg, PA
SHIPPING COSTS NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR SHIPPING COST BEFORE PURCHASING. SEE SHIPPING INFORMATION BELOW. Designed by Florence Knoll in 1955 for Knoll Associates, this elega...
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s Florence Knoll Chrome and Green Mohair Bench 36x18 2x Available
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Florence Knoll Bench, designed for Knoll in 1954. This particular example dates to the 1960s. The design incorporates a simple chromed steel frame with a padded seat that i...
Steel