Mid-century modern design in America wouldn’t look the way it does without Knoll. The company’s acclaimed seating — lounge chairs, armchairs, office chairs and other furnishings created by a who’s who of designers and by Knoll’s pioneering cofounder, Florence Knoll (1917–2019) — helped define high-rise corporate culture and was rapidly adopted for use in living rooms, where it endures as a timeless favorite all over the world.
“Many of the designs that he had at that time were ones that I did not approve of,” Florence Knoll once recalled of her German-born husband, Hans Knoll (1914–55), the son of German modernist furniture manufacturer Walter Knoll.
A native of Michigan, Florence already had a world-class immersion in design when she met Hans. Orphaned at age 12, she was enrolled at Kingswood School, part of the Cranbrook Academy of Art, which became the go-to school for legends of mid-century design. Florence became very close with Cranbrook head Eliel Saarinen, his wife and their son, Eero. She later studied with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and worked for Marcel Breuer and Bauhaus school founder Walter Gropius. When Florence married Hans in 1946, he had been at work since 1938 on his own eponymous furniture line in New York City.
With Florence’s design acumen, the Knolls turned the company into a powerhouse of modernist design. The Knoll Planning Unit, created by Florence in the mid-1940s, designed office spaces for the likes of GM and CBS, helping to define the postwar corporate aesthetic.
The department’s small team designed furniture with practicality, efficiency and sleekness in mind, attributes that clearly define furnishings such as Eero Saarinen’s sculptural Executive chair, which was introduced in 1948 as the Model 72 and used for the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. (The armed version, which followed in 1950, was also specified for the campus, an architectural project of Saarinen’s.) This seating, as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients, soon became desirable for apartments and houses.
Knoll collaborated with an all-star cast of designers, including Saarinen, whose Womb chair arose from Florence’s request for “a chair that was like a basket full of pillows.” The catalogue includes some of the century’s most recognizable forms: Saarinen’s Tulip chairs, Harry Bertoia’s wire-lattice Diamond chair, the Cyclone table by artist Isamu Noguchi and pieces by Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Jens Risom, Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who granted Knoll exclusive permission to produce his designs. The manufacturer continues to produce the only authorized version of the elegant and oft-copied Barcelona chair, which Mies created in collaboration with designer Lilly Reich, his creative and romantic partner.
By 1950 — when production for Knoll was moved to East Greenville, Pennsylvania — more than one third of the designs in the company’s portfolio were Florence’s own. She thought of her furniture as “meat and potatoes,” mere practicality.
“People ask me if I am a furniture designer,” she once said. “I am not. . . . I designed the fill-in pieces that no one else was doing.” But decades later, her own designs, like the Florence Knoll sofa, with its clean architectural lines, and her Bauhaus-inspired Lounge chair, are icons in their own right.
In 2021, Knoll was acquired by Herman Miller, another legendary American furniture manufacturer that turned a number of designers into mid-century household names. The combined company operates under the name MillerKnoll.
Find a collection of vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs.
Knoll Brown Leather Fabricius Sofa
By Preben Fabricius, Knoll
Located in Rochester, England
The Fabricius Sofa embodies timeless luxury and modern sophistication. Designed with meticulous attention to detail and crafted from the finest materials, it is a true statement piec...
Steel
1949 Jens Risom No. 23 Sofa with New Upholstery Signed H.G. Knoll Products
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptionally rare and early Jens Risom Sofa, model number 23, produced by Knoll and labelled H.G. Knoll Products. This particular examples dates to circa 1949....
Fabric, Wood
Tan Leather Sofa by Richard Schultz for Knoll
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Toledo, OH
This 1970 sofa designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll features a leather cushioned front and back, and was created with modular sections that hang from a ste...
Steel
Original Knoll Brigadier Dreisitzer Leder weiß Cini Boeri 1980
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes, weißes Dreisitzer Sofa (Modell: Brigadier) von Knoll aus den 1980er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Ciri Boeri, einer der einflussreichste...
Leather, Wood
Tan Leather Sofa by Richard Schultz for Knoll
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Toledo, OH
This 1970 sofa designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll features a leather cushioned front and back, and was created with modular sections that hang from a ste...
Steel
1960s Eero Saarinen for Knoll 152 White Tulip Stools 4x Available
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are 152 Tulip Stools, originally designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956. These particular examples were produced by Knoll in the USA in the 1960s. The stools are comprised of vinyl ...
Aluminum
$1,258Sale Price|50% Off
Hannah & Morrison for Knoll Grey Sling Sofa, 1970s
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Rochester, England
Designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Ivar Morrison for Knoll, this Sling sofa is a fantastic example of 1970s design. Inspired by sail boats, the Sling sofa features an industrial ...
Fabric
1950s Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Three Seat Sofa for Reupholstery
By Florence Knoll, 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 ...
Steel
1970s Two-Seat Sling Sofa by Hannah Morrison for Knoll in Fabric and Aluminum
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Two-Seat Sling Sofa, designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll in 1971. It features a polished cast-steel frame, and has an upholstered seat & back. The uphols...
Steel
1960s Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll International Brown Leather Three Seat Sofa
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a gorgeous Model No. 263 three-seater sofa, designed by Mies Van Der Rohe and produced by Knoll International. These pieces were produced in the late 1960's to ear...
Leather, Walnut
Mid Century Sofa Bastiano by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Knoll, around 1960
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
This iconic Bastiano sofa, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Knoll around 1960, is a masterful expression of Italian Mid-Century modern design. Defined by its bold architectura...
Fabric, Upholstery, Ash, Lacquer
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
1950s Florence Knoll Associates Three Seat Sofa Redone by East Penn Upholstery
By Knoll, Florence 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
2013 SM1 Sofa in Orange Leather by Shelton Mindel for Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 2013 production SM1 Sofa, designed by Shelton Mindel and produced by Knoll. The sofa was specially ordered in orange leather with very nice hand feel. It's in terrific cond...
Steel
2008 Knoll Divina Two Seat Sofa/Settee by Piero Lissoni in Volo Leather Model 68
By Piero Lissoni, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Divina Two-Seater Settee, designed by Piero Lissoni for Knoll in 2001. This example dates to 2008. The piece is upholstered in a chocolate-brown leather, likely Volo leathe...
Steel
Florence Knoll Parallel Bar Sofa
By Knoll, Florence 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
$1,960Sale Price|30% Off
Mid Century Modern 2 Seat sofa table Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern 2 Seat armchair sofa with middle white laminate table by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll. Made in American circa 1960s....
Aluminum, Steel
Robert Venturi Grandma Sofa in the Original Tan / Taupe Leather for Knoll.
By Knoll, Robert Venturi
Located in Kansas City, MO
A single Robert Venturi matching leather Grandma Sofa manufactured by Knoll, 1980s. Very good original condition. No tears or scuffs to the leather. Light signs of use. Minimal hone...
Leather
Brigadier black leather sofa by Cini Boeri, Knoll, 1980s
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Knoll Brigadier in black leather is a timeless statement of modern luxury and sophisticated comfort. Featuring premium craftsmanship, sleek lines, and ...
Leather, Wood
Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Mid Century Sofa
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Mid Century Sofa This sofa measures: 91 wide x 36 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height of 24.75 inches Good Vintage Condition ...
Upholstery, Wood
Original Florence Knoll Sofa Modell 65a Couch Knoll Intenational
By Florence Knoll, 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
Midcentury Modern Jens Risom Model 37 Sofa for Knoll, 1940s
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
1940s Jens Risom Model 37 loveseat sofa for Knoll in charcoal grey upholstery atop tapered stained birch legs, a class Midcentury Modern design. The high back features a row of butto...
Upholstery, Birch
Rare No. 704 Richard Schultz Knoll International Daybed / Sofa
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Convertible sofa designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll International. MID 1950'S..Ingenious design as the seat pulls forward and up to create a flat and level bed. Wonderful and...
Stainless Steel
$5,696Sale Price|30% Off
Knoll Matic Compact Sofa by Piero Lissoni
By Knoll, Piero Lissoni
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the Matic Compact Sofa by Knoll - a refined fusion of modern design and luxurious comfort. Crafted with high quality materials, this sleek sofa features a sturdy frame an...
Aluminum
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
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
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
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Bauhaus Red Barcelona Lounge Chair for Knoll, 1972
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Vicenza, IT
Barcelona lounge chair, designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe in 1929 and manufactured by Knoll International in 1972. Made of chromed steel and leather. Excellent vintage condition. ...
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
1999 Charles Pfister for Knoll Settee Loveseat from IBM Headquarters Model 1052C
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Tuxedo Love Seat Settee, Model 1052C, designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll in 1971. This example dates to 1999. The piece retains its original upholstery, which ...
Steel
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Red Barcelona Lounge Chair for Knoll, 1972, Set of 2
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 2 Barcelona lounge chair, designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe in 1929 and manufactured by Knoll International in 1972. Made of chromed steel and leather. Excellent vintage co...
Chrome
Rare Richard Schultz Knoll International Daybed / Sofa No. 703
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Munich, DE
Convertible sofa designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll International. The seat pulls forward and up to create a flat and level bed. Wonderful and classic Mid-Century Modern design up...
Metal, Chrome
Otto Zapf Follow Me Sofa, Beech Frame, Mid-Century Modern, 1976
By Otto Zapf, Knoll
Located in bari, IT
Original comfortable Follow Me two-seater sofa maple wood frame and original fabric seats in good condition, designer Otto Zapf for Koll International 1970s production. The seat is slightly reclining Industrial designer Otto Zapf was born into a family of cabinetmakers in 1931 in Rossbach, former Czechoslovakia. In 1945 his family moved to Germany, to Eschborn near Frankfurt, where, discouraged by the dustiness of his father’s carpenter’s studio...
Fabric, Beech
Otto Zapf Follow Me Sofa, Maple Wood Frame, Mid-Century Modern, 1976
By Otto Zapf, Knoll
Located in bari, IT
Original comfortable Follow Me two-seater sofa maple wood frame and original fabric seats in good condition, designer Otto Zapf for Koll International 1970s production. The seat is slightly reclining Industrial designer Otto Zapf was born into a family of cabinetmakers in 1931 in Rossbach, former Czechoslovakia. In 1945 his family moved to Germany, to Eschborn near Frankfurt, where, discouraged by the dustiness of his father’s carpenter’s studio...
Fabric, Beech
Completely Restored Florence Knoll 25 BC Three-Seat Sofa by Wohnbedarf, 1950s
By Knoll, Florence 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
1990s Heli Three-Seat Sofa by Otto Zapf for Knoll International in Brown Leather
By Otto Zapf, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an original Heli three-seat sofa, initially designed by Otto Zapf for Knoll International in 1983. This particular piece was produced in Czechoslovakia in the early 1990s, an...
Steel, Aluminum, Enamel
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
1980s Charles Pfister for Knoll Grey Fabric Loveseat / Two Seat Sofa
By Charles Pfister, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a two-seat sofa, originally designed by Charles Pfister for Knoll in 1971. This particular example was produced in the United States during the 1980s. The design features cle...
Foam, Wood, Fabric
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
C. 1941 Jens Risom for Knoll Associates Three-Seater Sofa/Settee w/ New Webbing
By Jens Risom, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a three-seater settee, designed by Jens Risom for Knoll Associates in 1941. The piece has a frame constructed of pine (or possibly birch), and has newly re-done webbed straps...
Copper
2000s Piero Lissoni for Knoll Divina Lounge Chair in Brown Leather 4x Available
By Piero Lissoni, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a circa 2008 production Divina lounge chair, designed by Piero Lissoni and produced by Knoll. Four chairs are available, though the price listed is for each one. The chairs c...
Steel, Chrome