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.
$9,000 / set
Set of custom ordered Florence Knoll Benches
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Amarillo, TX
Florence Knoll Pair of benches USA 1954 leather, steel Measures: 48 W x 19.5 D x 16.75 H inches Pair of custom-sized Florence Knoll benches in a custom flat steel finish wit...
Steel
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 Two Seater Relax Sofa
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the ultimate in relaxation and comfort - the Two Seater Relax Sofa by Knoll. Crafted with high-quality materials, this sofa combines luxury with sophistication. Its sleek...
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 ...
Chrome
Original Florence Knoll Sofa Modell 65a Couch Knoll Intenational
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Vintage Sofa von Knoll International zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Florence Knoll Bassett und ist bekannt unter der Modellbezeichnung 65a. In un...
Steel
1960s Florence Knoll Chrome and Green Mohair Bench 36x18 2x Available
By Florence Knoll, 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
Vintage Florence Knoll Slipper Lounge Chairs Restored in Leather
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful set of unique and very high-quality 'slipper chairs' model 51W, an early design by American designer Florence Knoll dates from 1955 and is becoming more rare to find nowa...
Upholstery, Wood
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
$3,430Sale Price|40% Off
Lounge Chair Model 31 by Florence Knoll Bassett for Knoll International Set of 2
By Florence Knoll
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Florence Marguerite Knoll Basset was one of the most renowned American designers and architects of the 20th century. In 1954 she designed the model 31 armchair, which has developed i...
Metal
Florence Knoll 51W Lounge Chair, 1955
By Knoll, Florence 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
2012 Florence Knoll 3 Seat Leather Sofa w/ Custom Leather
By Florence Knoll, 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
1960s Florence Knoll Armless Slipper Lounge Chair in Fabric
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an Armless Slipper Lounge Chair, Model 51, originally designed by Florence Knoll in 1955. This particular example dates back to the 1960s. The chair is comprised of a solid s...
Steel
$790Sale Price|20% Off
Tabouret modèle "75" de Florence knoll pour Knoll International, 1950
By Florence Knoll
Located in SAINT-SEVER, FR
Tabouret modèle "75" de Florence knoll pour Knoll International Florence KNOLL (1917-2019). Rationnel tabouret modèle "75" à assise circulaire en bois mélaminé noir, piétement tripode en tiges de métal cintrées laquées noir. Édition Knoll 1950...
Metal
2013 Florence Knoll Lounge / Club Chair in Grey Leather with Chrome Base
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Florence Knoll Club Chair, model 1205S1. The piece was originally designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, and this particular example dates to 2013. The design featur...
Steel
1950s Florence Knoll Associates Three Seat Sofa Redone by East Penn Upholstery
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original Florence Knoll three-seater sofa, designed by the renowned Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll Associates. This example was produced during the later ...
Steel
$9,500 / item
Parallel Bar Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A "parallel bar" frame sofa with a button tufted back on chromed steel legs.
Steel
2022 Florence Knoll Three Seat Bench in Dark Brown Leather and Chrome
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Florence Knoll Bench, designed for Knoll in 1954. This bench dates to 2022, and is seemingly pristine (or near pristine). The design incorporates a simple chromed steel fra...
Steel
C. 1958 Pair of Florence Knoll 84 ULB Lounge Arm Chairs in Fabric and Wood
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an unusual pair of Florence Knoll Armchairs, model 84 ULB, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1956. We date this pair to C. 1958, and the listed price includes the pair....
Steel
Knoll Associates Couch, Park Avenue, New York, Made in Italy
By Florence Knoll, 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
$8,200 / set
Pair of Lounge Chairs
By Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
These are classic and good condition chairs! The upholstery is original and in pretty acceptable condition if one does not want to re-upholster. Hard to find this originality. Flor...
Steel
Large three-seater sofa, by Florence Knoll, Knoll International, circa 1970
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Paris, FR
Large three-seater sofa, chrome steel frame, new foam padding for the upholstered seat and back cushions, new off-white rustic wool cover. Designed by Florence Knoll in 1954. Lenght:...
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Florence Knoll modular leather sectional with Modernica tags
By Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Five-piece vintage Florence Knoll white leather sectional / living room set with Modernica tags. 1990s. Leather is in strong and supple with some signs of use and marks. Metal is ha...
Metal, Steel
Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Sofa
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Sofa. This was reupholstered at one point in time in an off white faux leather vinyl. There are a couple areas of damage to ...
Steel
1955 Florence Knoll #26BC Sofa Reupholstered in Neutral Tones of Taupe Brown +
By Florence Knoll
Located in Kensington, MD
+ Gorgeous & supremely comfortable 3-seat sofa designed by Florence Knoll in 1955 + Defined by angularity, the sofa form is pared down to essential elements by Florence Knoll i...
Chrome
Model 2530-6, 4-Seater Bench in Dedar Blue Fabric by Florence Knoll, USA 1960s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in GORINCHEM, NL
A refined and highly architectural example of Florence Knoll’s influential approach to modern furniture design, the Model 2530 four-seat bench perfectly embodies the disciplined eleg...
Steel, Chrome
1960s Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Three Seat Sofa in Black Fabric
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an early Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Sofa, originally designed by Florence Knoll in 1955. This piece was produced in the USA and dates to the 1960s. The sofa features ...
Steel
Mid-Century Pair of Stools Model 75 by Florence Knoll, 1950
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Mid-Century Pair of Stools Model 75 by Florence Knoll, designed 1948 for Knoll Associates, USA.
Metal
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...
Metal
Florence Knoll Relax Tabouret Model 2530 R1C
By Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The sleek, geometric design of this stool exemplifies the precise, rational approach to craftsmanship that Mies van der Rohe instilled in Florence Knoll. Its versatile style makes it...
Chrome
1977 Florence Knoll Two Seater Loveseat in Grey Fabric from IBM
By Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Florence Knoll Settee Sofa, Model 1205S2, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll in 1954. This particular example was produced by Knoll Studio in the USA in 1977. I...
Steel
Seating Group by Florence Knoll for Knoll Sofa, 1960s
By Florence Knoll
Located in Handewitt, DE
Seating group, model 67A, by Florence Knoll for Knoll Sofa. The seating group consists of a 3-seater sofa, 2 easychairs and a rectangular coffee table with a marble top. The sofa and...
Marble, Chrome
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.
Metal
Original Florence Knoll Sessel Modell 65a Knoll Intenational
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Vintage Sessel von Knoll International zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Florence Knoll Bassett und ist bekannt unter der Modellbezeichnung 65a. I...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Florence Knoll, Chrome Base, 1950s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
This pair of original lounge chairs, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in the 1950s, captures the essence of mid-century modern design. With their clean architectura...
Chrome
$11,440Sale Price|20% Off
Sofa Model 67A by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, USA, 1950s
By Florence Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Sofa Model 67A by Florence Knoll for Knoll International the sofa is new upholstered in Knoll textile fabric.
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern 4-Piece Living Room Set by Florence Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 4 American Mid-Century gray wood upholstered living room / salon set resting on teak legs & base with seat & back cushions (att: FLORENCE KNOLL)(loveseat, 3 armchairs)
Teak
Mid-Century Pair of Tufted Chrome Base Florence Knoll Club Chairs
By Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of original Knoll club chairs with polished chrome bases designed by Florence Knoll, circa 1960s. Vintage condition with Knoll Associates Park Ave labels intact. Please confirm...
Upholstery
Florence Knoll Grey Tuxedo Lounge Chair
By Florence Knoll
Located in Rochester, England
A rare, original “Florence Knoll” lounge chair from the world renown furniture house of Knoll Studio, dressed in a sublime, tactile woven-wool fabric, and with polished chrome framew...
Wool
Pair of Florence Knoll / Knoll Light Orange Upholstered Settees
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American Mid-Century two-seat armless Settees with a green geometric upholstered seat and back cushions supported on black powder coated metal frames. (FLORENCE KNOLL / KNOLL...
Metal
Pair of Florence Knoll for Knoll International Black & Silver Bar Stools
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Mid-Century American bar stools standing on black metal, rectangular legs anchored by a silver metal stretcher with seat upholstered in a neutral tone, salt and pepper weave ...
Fabric
Florence Knoll "Model 26" Sofa in Forest Green British Wool & Leather Piping
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
Florence Knoll's influence on Mid-Century design is immeasurable. As a visionary at Knoll, she curated groundbreaking furniture collections and pioneered modern commercial interiors ...
Leather, Fabric, Wool, Walnut
2012 Pair of Florence Knoll Lounge Chairs with Custom Leather
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a classic pair of lounge chairs with arms designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in 2012. The chairs were custom ordered for the executive suite of a corporate offi...
Steel
Florence Knoll stool / bench in leather for Knoll Associates
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Amarillo, TX
Florence Knoll stool Knoll Associates USA 1984 leather, steel 17 h × 18 w × 18 d inches Vintage piece.
Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll Tan Leather Button Tufted Lounge Chair, 1970s
By Florence Knoll, 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 ...
Steel
$10,000Sale Price / set|23% Off
Florence Knoll Sofa Set
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
an early and hard to find sofaset . complete restored to perfect condition !
Metal
2015 Florence Knoll Two Seat Settee Loveseat Sofa in Purple Fabric, Model 1205S2
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Florence Knoll Settee Sofa, Model 1205S2, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll in 1954. This particular example was produced by Knoll Studio in the USA in 2015. I...
Steel
Florence Knoll leather lounge chair 65 for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Florence Knoll leather lounge chair 65 for Knoll International. Produced from 1958-1975! This series has exceptional seating comfort and a timelessly modern look. Dxhxl: 78x81x72 cm...
Chrome
2019 Florence Knoll Club Lounge Chair in Black Leather with Polished Chrome Base
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Florence Knoll Lounge Chairs, originally designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll in 1954. These particular examples were produced by Knoll Studio in the USA during 2019. The c...
Steel
Florence Knoll lounge chairs model 65a for Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Florence Knoll lounge chair from 1956 model 65a. The chair is part of a seating group that consisted of an armchair, 2-seater and 3-seater with or without armrests. This series was p...
Chrome
Completely Restored Florence Knoll 25 BC Three-Seat Sofa by Wohnbedarf, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Renens, CH
Three-seat sofa designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, and produced under license by Wohnbedarf AG, in the early 1950s. The sofa still has the original Wohnbedarf metal shield on the underside, which is in many cases lost after almost 70 years of age. The “25 BC...
Wool
Parallel Bar Sofa, Model 57, by Florence Knol, USA, 1960s.
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sofa Model nº57, "Parallel bar" series, designed by Florence Knoll in 1959 and produced by “Knoll International” during the 1960s. The sofa, two-seater, with arms at both ends, is...
Chrome