Many of today’s most popular outdoor furniture designs exist thanks to the talents of designer Richard Schultz. Working in his fluid mid-century modern style, Schultz introduced a wealth of unimposing pieces to gardens and outdoor spaces that proved highly influential in the decades that followed. The airy shapes and timeless appeal of his vintage patio furniture and other works reflect his motto: “Form follows technique.”
Born Moses Richard Schultz in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1926, he displayed an early talent for building steam engines in his family’s basement. Although he had an aptitude for engineering, Schultz's struggles with mathematics later prevented him from completing his engineering coursework at Iowa State University. He joined the U.S. Navy, working as a radio operator. Following his military service, he enrolled at the Institute of Design in Chicago.
After he graduated in 1950, Schultz traveled to Europe, where he spent the summer sketching. When he returned to the United States in 1951, he applied for a position as a designer at the furniture manufacturer Knoll Inc. It is said that Florence Knoll — the company's cofounder and a visionary designer in her own right — hired him on the spot based solely on his sketches.
At Knoll's production facilities in Pennsylvania, Schultz was initially tasked with supporting Italian-American designer and metalsmith Harry Bertoia with the Bertoia Wire collection.
Schultz’s 715 chaise longue, with its adjustable frame and signature solid wheel, paired well with Bertoia’s celebrated woven steel-wire work. It was acquired in 1963 by the Museum of Modern Art for the institution's permanent collection. Another iconic piece Schultz produced around this time was the Petal table. Its wooden “petal” tabletop and enameled metal base were inspired by the plant known as Queen Anne’s lace.
In 1966, one of Schultz’s most esteemed series, the Leisure collection (reissued in 1992 as the 1966 collection), was developed when Florence Knoll requested some outdoor furniture for her Florida home that could withstand the salty ocean air. Schultz designed a line of aluminum patio coffee tables and lounge chairs that were not only fashionable and comfortable but also wouldn't rust.
In 1972, Knoll laid off its designers as part of the company's cost-cutting measures at the time. Schultz's role was a casualty of the reorganization, and he started his design studio — Richard Schultz Design — out of a Pennsylvania farmhouse. He enjoyed success with another of his influential pieces, the Paradigm office chair, which he sold to furniture manufacturer Stow & Davis in 1978. In 2012, Knoll acquired Richard Schultz Design and reissued many of his classic works.
Schultz is recognized today for having been one of the 20th century’s most celebrated outdoor furniture creators.
Shop vintage Richard Schultz tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Richard Schultz for Knoll White Polyurethane Petal Coffee/ Cocktail Table
By Richard Schultz
Located in New York, NY
This iconic “Petal” flower coffee, cocktail or side table was designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll . It was part of a series that won an award for Industrial Magazine in 1961 and is...
Aluminum, Steel
1973 Pair of Richard Schultz for Knoll 1966 Series Rare Armless Lounge Chairs
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original pair of rare 1966 series armless lounge chairs, designed by Richard Schultz and produced by Knoll International. This set was acquired from a the son o...
Aluminum
1993 Prototype Richard Schultz Topiary Collection Cafe Dining Chair
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Richard Schultz Topiary Collection stacking cafe chair prototype with a black powder-coated finish. This is a marvelous an...
Steel
Modern Richard Schultz petal Coffee table all off white high Gloss finish
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modern Richard Schultz petal Coffee table all off white Gloss finish. Modern version of the petal table in good vintage condition. Great classic design organic flower shaped coffee t...
Steel
1960s Richard Schultz Daybed Lounge w/ Cream Hopsack Upholstery and Metal Legs
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an uncommon Daybed, designed in circa 1958 by Richard Schultz for Knoll International. Around the same time, Florence Knoll & Charles Niedringhaus were designing their own se...
Steel
Mid Century Richard Schultz Outdoor Yellow Square 28” Side or Coffee Table
By Richard Schultz
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful and minimal design by Richard Schultz for Knoll in 1966. This is part of an outdoor collection that’s still being made and used for 50 years. The table top is made of porce...
Aluminum, Enamel, Steel
2011 Prototype Richard Schultz Mateo Collection Raw Aluminum & Mesh Dining Chair
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Richard Schultz 2011 Mateo Collection aluminum lounge chair prototype with mesh upholstery. This is a marvelous and rare example of a Mateo collection lounge cha...
Aluminum
1997 Richard Schultz Topiary Outdoor Bench with Custom Aluminum Finish #2
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptionally rare and unusual outdoor Richard Schultz topiary bench. What is particularly unique about this bench is that it has a...
Aluminum
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
Early Richard Schultz 43 inch Redwood Petal Dining Table need to realign petals
By Richard Schultz
Located in Pasadena, TX
Early Richard Schultz 42 inch Redwood Petal Dining Table Restored Rare Richard Schultz Petal Dining Table, circa 1960s. Branch-like...
Wood
Petal' End or Side Table by Richard Schultz for Knoll, 1960
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern 'Petal' end/side table designed by Richard Shultz. With a flower-like pine top on a white enameled eight-point cast iron pedestal base. Manufactured in the USA b...
Iron
Rare No. 704 Richard Schultz Knoll International Daybed / Sofa
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
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
Richard Schultz Prototype Swell outdoor lounge chair
By Richard Schultz
Located in Chicago, IL
Richard Schultz Prototype Swell lounge chair From Richard Schultz Design, Inc. USA, circa 2005 Powder-coated aluminum, nylon, vinyl. This is a prototype swell lounge chair, before ...
Aluminum
$1,323Sale Price|20% Off
elegant coffee table by knoll international
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
iconic design by richard schultz. very modern look.
Steel
1960s Richard Schultz for Knoll 1966 Collection Square Dining Table 38x38
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 1966 Collection Outdoor Square Dining Table, initially designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll in 1966. This particular table dates to the late 1960s, and has been recently r...
Aluminum, Steel
$1,999 / item
Richard Schultz's Knoll 1407 Chairs
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass, Richard Schultz, Shiro Kuramata
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Very rare chairs. These chairs by Richard Shultz designed inspired by the purist function using steel tube framing similar to bicycle manufacturing techniques. We are lucky to be abl...
Metal
Rare Richard Schultz Knoll International Daybed / Sofa No. 703
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
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
$1,500 / item
Richard Schultz for Knoll "Topiary" Table Base, 1996
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Hamburg, PA
A whimsical "Topiary" collection dining table designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll. This collection was produced in 1996 and is a fun design for any garden or patio. This dining tab...
Aluminum
2020 Knoll Richard Schultz 1966 Series Outdoor Lounge Chair w/ Arm & Beige Frame
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a 2020 production lounge chair with arms designed by Richard Schultz and produced by Knoll. This is a unique example with beige powder coated frame and beige sling...
Metal
2004 Richard Schultz for Knoll 1966 Collection Side Table 18x18x16 Inches
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 1966 Collection Outdoor Side Table, originally designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll in 1966. This particular table dates to the year 2004. The table is constructed of cast...
Aluminum, Enamel, Steel
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Richard Schultz 1996 Series Coffee Table
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Chicago, IL
Richard Schultz outdoor coffee table for Knoll. This table has a white powder-coated cast and extruded aluminum frame with white enameled porcelain on steel tabletop. The table has a...
Steel
2022 Richard Schultz for Knoll 1966 Collection Lounge Chair w/ Aluminum Frame
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 1966 Collection Outdoor Lounge Chair, Model 1966-25, originally designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll in 1966. This particular example dates to 2022. The chair is construct...
Aluminum
Unique Richard Schultz Petal Side Table Prototype
By Richard Schultz
Located in Munich, DE
the petals of this table are made of ceramic ! the serial production petals are made of wood. natural or painted white. purchased from an former knoll employee.....
Metal
1970s Richard Schultz for Knoll Dining Table with Yellow Top 38 inch
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 1966 Collection Outdoor Dining Table, originally designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll in 1966. This particular example dates to the 1970s. The table is constructed of cast...
Aluminum, Steel
1997 Richard Schultz Topiary Outdoor Coffee Table Custom Aluminum Finish Knoll
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptionally rare and unusual outdoor Richard Schultz topiary coffee table from 1997. This piece was produced by Richard...
Aluminum
1980s Richard Schultz Prototype Dining Table in Polished Stainless Steel
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Square Dining Table in polished stainless steel, designed by Richard Schultz ca. 1980. The piece is a prototype and the design never made it to the production phase, render...
Steel
1980 Richard Schultz & Knoll Prototype Flat Matte Black Outdoor Dining Armchair
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Richard Schultz stainless steel armchair prototype with perforated steel seat, produced circa 1980. This is a marvelous and rare example of this model series, which was intended to take the place of the famous 1966 series. The matte black powder-coated steel frame is in terrific shape. As quoted from Peter Schultz: "Prototypes for new seating line designed for Knoll circa 1980. Knoll requested a new design to replace the 1966 Collection which they were discontinuing. Shown in Knoll au Louvre book...
Steel
1980s Knoll 1966 Series Prototype Dining Table by Richard Schultz 75x75 in
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a large square dining table, designed by Richard Schultz for his 1966 series for Knoll (this one likely produced for Richard Schultz Design...
Steel, Aluminum
Petal' Dining Table by Richard Schultz for Knoll, 1960
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern 'petal' dining table designed by Richard Shultz. This table features a flower-like pine top on a white enameled eight-point cast iron pedestal base. Manufactured...
Iron
2022 Richard Schultz for CondeHouse Slat Chair in Ebonized Wood and Aluminum
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Slat Chair, originally designed by Richard Schultz in 1984. This particular example was produced by CondeHouse in Japan in 2022. The chair is comprised of an aluminum frame...
Oak
Prototype Richard Schultz 2002 Collection Stainless & Leather Dining Chair
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Richard Schultz 2002 Collection stainless steel dining chair prototype with custom leather sling. The arm height is 26" from the ground. Total height is approxim...
Steel
Prototype Richard Schultz for Steelcase Sheet Metal Dining Chair from Circa 1985
By Steelcase, Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a Richard Schultz sheet metal dining chair prototype for Steelcase, dating to circa 1985. This is a marvelous and rare example. The frame is in very good shape wit...
Aluminum