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 Settee Loveseat in Limani Mohair & Brushed Bronze
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
When Florence Knoll designed this collection, she never intended for it to become one of the most recognizable furniture series of the twentieth century. Her goal was simply to creat...
Metal, Bronze
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
Danish 1940's Curved "Banana" Loveseat or Small Sofa in Red Mohair
By Viggo Boesen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Banana shaped Viggo Boesen style curved sofa made in Denmark in the 1940s. This sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round lines and iconic feet. Solid and sturdy...
Mohair, Beech
Fabric and Foam "Gladis" Loveseat by Aqua Creations
By Aqua Creations
Located in linden, NJ
Following the success of the Gladis Lounge Chair which was originally introduced in 2009, Aqua Creations created the Gladis Collection. The first inspiration was a finger print. Aqua...
Fabric, Foam
$4,000
H 31 in W 58 in D 36 in
Mid-Century Modern Two-Seater Loveseat Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning signed Dunbar 2 seater loveseat sofa. This piece is upholstered in it's original celery green woven wool in very nice to excellent condition. The loose seat cushions are qui...
Upholstery, Walnut
$5,500
H 26.75 in W 62 in D 33 in
Danish 1940's Curved "Banana" Loveseat or Small Sofa in Green Mohair
By Viggo Boesen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Banana shaped Viggo Boesen style curved sofa made in Denmark in the 1940s. This sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round lines and iconic feet. Solid and sturdy...
Mohair, Beech
$3,730
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 30.32 in
Two-Seat “Ecco” Loveseat by Slettvoll in Cognac Leather and Rattan, Norway 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
Two-Seat “Ecco” Loveseat by Slettvoll in Cognac Leather and Patinated Rattan, Norway, 1970s This beautifully preserved two-seat “Ecco” loveseat by Slettvoll Manilla Furniture, part ...
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
'Brigadier' Loveseats by Cini Boeri for Knoll, Italy, 1980s
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Exceptional sofa from the award-winning Brigadier Series by renowned Italian architect and designer, Cini Boeri (1924–2020). Crafted in the 1980s for Knoll, these sofas feature a sle...
Leather, Lacquer
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Settee Loveseat
By Woodard Furniture Co., Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Stylish wrought iron garden, patio poolside settee loveseat, attributed to Salterini. Clean, ready to use condition, currently in later white paint finish which shows some wear, norm...
Wrought Iron
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 59.5 in D 32 in
Leather Box Style Loveseat Sofa by Charles Pfister for Knoll
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Chic, sophisticated, and voguish loveseat sofa, designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll. This example was executed in grayish blue leather, it is in good, original condition, showing l...
Leather
Danish 1950s Settee or Loveseat in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa late 1940s-1950s. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on beech leg...
Wool, Beech
Vintage 1970s Pencil Reed Loveseat in Off-White Bouclé Settee
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A sculptural pencil reed loveseat from the 1970s, newly upholstered in an off-white textured bouclé. This two-seat settee showcases the refined linearity of reed construction, paired...
Bamboo, Reed
Modern Caned Teak Rattan Loveseat in Blue and White Sunbrella Fabric
By McGuire
Located in Southampton, NJ
A double cane solid teak settee with newly upholstered seat & back bolster cushions in blue and white stripe Sunbrella fabric. Substantial, fine craftsmanship, ready for use. Seat He...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood, Teak
Vintage Florence Knoll Relaxed Two-Seater Sofa Neutral Ivory
By Florence Knoll
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer this vintage Florence Knoll Relaxed Two-Seater Sofa for Knoll, circa 1970s–1980s, upholstered in a beautifully textur...
Steel
Florence Knoll two-seater sofa in mustard yellow leather, 1970
By Florence Knoll, 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
Florence Knoll Mid Century Relaxed Chrome Loveseat Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Florence Knoll Mid Century Relaxed Chrome Loveseat Sofa This loveseat measures: 62.5 wide x 35 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 18.5 and arm height of 23.25 inches Go...
Chrome
$2,295
H 28.5 in W 50 in D 29.75 in
2- Seater Loveseat in Solid Teak & Original Fabric, Domino Møbler, Denmark, 1970
By Domino Møbler
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a splendid Danish-made two-seater loveseat that is as comfortable as it is stylish. Crafted in the mid-1970's by the lauded Domino Møbler this petite sofa is crafted fro...
Teak
Early Florence Knoll Settee
By Florence Knoll
Located in Gladstone, NJ
Early Florence Knoll Settee
Upholstery, Wood
Florence Knoll two-seater sofa for Knoll International, 1954
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
A Florence Knoll two-seater sofa, designed in 1954 and produced by Knoll International in the 1970s. This iconic piece of furniture combines sleek geometric lines with a minimalist a...
Chrome
Florence Knoll Sofa on Steel Base in Heather Grey Tweed Fabric
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Vintage original Florence Knoll sofa in heather grey tweed fabric. Although unsigned or tagged, this is 100% knoll, and most likely from t...
Steel
Florence Knoll 2-Seater Sofa, Classic Mid Century Modern, Knoll
By Florence Knoll, 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...
Chrome
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...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Florence Knoll Slipper Chairs for Knoll with Chrome Base
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice pair of Florence Knoll-designed armless chairs can be put together to make a love seat, circa 1980's original fabric in a light grey color, good condition with some normal wear ...
Steel, Chrome
Florence Knoll Sofa
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is an icon of Mid-Century Modern design, a loveseat by Florence Knoll for Knoll International. The simple form and clean lines of this sofa, set atop a slee...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.75 in W 56 in D 29 in
Early Florence Knoll Mid Century Parallel Bar Walnut Blue Settee Love Seat Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Early Florence knoll mid century parallel bar walnut blue settee love seat sofa. Sofa measures: 56 wide x 29 deep x 29.75 high, with a seat height of 15 i...
Upholstery, Walnut
Florence Knoll Sofa
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is an icon of Mid-Century Modern design, a loveseat by Florence Knoll for Knoll International. The simple form and clean lines of this sofa, set atop a slee...
Chrome
Florence Knoll for Knoll Mid-Century Loveseat Sofa
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is an icon of Mid-Century Modern design, a loveseat by Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates. The simple form and clean lines of this sofa, set atop a sleek c...
Chrome
Florence Knoll Leather Settee Sofa for Knoll Studio, Signed
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Florence Knoll leather settee for Knoll Studio features soft supple Spinneybeck leather over a chrome base, signed with Knoll Studio logo a...
Chrome
Pair of Mies Van der Rohe Settees
By Florence Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Mies for Knoll International settees, features rosewood plinth bases reupholstered in spinneybeck, tufted button seats and side bolsters. Retains orig...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 28 in W 56 in D 32 in
Mid-Century Modern Original Florence Knoll Loveseat 2-Seat Black Vinyl Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid-Century Modern original early 1960s #67 Florence Knoll loveseat 2 seat black vinyl faux leather sofa. Great vintage condition. Low profile ...
Steel
Florence Knoll Settee / Loveseat by Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A two cushion settee / loveseat with inset clear birch conical legs , angled arms and side profile upholstered in a Damask fabric with slight shimmering back round . A early producti...
Fabric
1950s Florence Knoll 'Parallel Bar' Settee
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Settee designed in 1954 by Florence Knoll composed of a matte chrome-plated steel and enameled steel frame. Foam and upholstery were updated in roughly the 1980s. Light plum upholste...
Chrome, Steel