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 on White Indoor Outdoor Coffee Table, 1960's
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Richard Schultz for Knoll White Cast Aluminum Coffee Table, 1960's. Featuring a balanced, rectangular four foot White textured enamel cast aluminum open framework, smooth original Wh...
Aluminum, Enamel
1966 Vintage Richard Schultz for Knoll Patio Dining Table Outdoor Collection
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Patio table 1966 Vintage Richard Schultz for Knoll Patio Dining Table Outdoor Collection Outdoor Vintage Metal Table by Richard Schultz, Patio Din...
Aluminum, Enamel
Mid-Century Modern 1966 Richard Schultz for Knoll Square Patio Dining Table
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic outdoor patio dining table designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll. It features gray frame with white porcelain top. Clean ready to use condition.
Aluminum, Steel
Richard Schultz for Knoll–1966 Collection Outdoor Dining Set. Late 20th C. U.S.A
By Richard Schultz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully preserved Richard Schultz for Knoll outdoor dining set from the iconic 1966 Collection, featuring a square table with a striking blue enamel top and four matching armch...
Metal
2004 Richard Schultz for Knoll 1966 Collection Dining Table 38x60
By 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 table dates to the year 2004. The table is constructed of ca...
Aluminum, Enamel, Steel
1961 Petal Dining Table by Richard Schultz for Knoll in California Redwood
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Hanover, MA
This is one of the earliest editions of the Petal table designed by Richard Schultz and produced by Knoll circa 1961. It was supplied from Knoll with the petal tops painted white (se...
Iron
1966 Richard Schultz Patio Dining Table for Knoll
By Richard Schultz
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents 1966 Vintage Richard Schultz for Knoll Patio Dining Table Outdoor Collection Table 26.5 h x 38 x 38 Preowned vintage Original unrestored condition. Enamel top has s...
Aluminum, Enamel
Richard Schultz Petal Dining Table with Black Enamel Base and New Top
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Richard Schultz for Knoll "Petal" Red Cedar and Iron Dining Table. Featuring a new flower-like top recreated by expert wood craftsman in sturdy, smooth, finished Red Cedar. The branc...
Iron
Richard Schultz White Petal Dining Table Knoll Mid Century Modern
By Richard Schultz
Located in Lake Worth, FL
The Richard Schultz White Petal Dining Table by Knoll is a stunning piece of mid-century modern furniture originating from the United States. The top is machined high-density polyure...
Aluminum
Richard Schultz for Knoll Petal Dining Table, 1960s
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Richard Schultz for Knoll Petal Dining Table
Iron
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
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
1960s Richard Schultz For Knoll International Petal Dining Table Vintage Redwood
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an exceptionally rare vintage petal dining table, produced by Knoll and Designed by Richard Schultz. This table has a fabulous patina ...
Metal
Petal' Dining Table by Richard Schultz for Knoll, 1960
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
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
1st edition Leisure table by Richard Schultz for Knoll, 1966
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Lyon, FR
“Leisure” garden table, designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll in 1966. Crafted in aluminum, the piece was conceived in response to Florence Knoll's request to create furniture that c...
Aluminum, Enamel, Steel
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
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
Richard Schultz for Knoll Petal Table, 1960s
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Richard Schultz for Knoll Petal Table label below painted metal base
Iron
Richard Schultz Vintage Cocktail Table
By Richard Schultz
Located in Water Mill, NY
Vintage Richard Schultz cocktail table with enameled steel top and aluminum frame for Knoll.
Aluminum, Steel
Richard Schultz Vintage Petal End Table Knoll Mid-Century Modern
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern 1960 designed Petal End Table by Richard Schultz and made by Knoll Associates, America. The base made in cast iron with a white fus...
Iron
Richard Shultz for Knoll Petal Table
By Richard Schultz
Located in St. Louis, MO
Patio dining table by Richard Shultz, redwood petals and enameled metal base. New photos coming soon. Base has been repainted, redwood pedals refinished.
Vintage 1966 Richard Schultz Outdoor Square Dining Table for Knoll
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in Glendale, CA
Vintage 1966 Richard Schultz Outdoor Square Dining Table for Knoll. Executed in white enameled metal with an attractive vintage patina. Unmarked. In the late 1950s, Richard Schultz received an envelope filled with rusted bolts from Florence Knoll, who was spending time at her Florida home...
Metal, Enamel
$960Sale Price|40% Off
H 22.05 in W 55.12 in D 29.53 in
Unique Richard Schultz Coffee Table for Knoll International
By Richard Schultz
Located in Munich, DE
I never saw this model before not in real life and not in any Knoll catalog. Tabletop is teakwood.
Teak
$2,400
H 29.52 in W 49.6 in D 31.5 in
New Extendable Dinning Table for Indoor and Outdoor with Wood Top
Located in Miami, FL
New extendable dining table for indoor and outdoor with wood top and iron structure. You can choose the color, the color structure and t...
Iron
$4,650Sale Price|27% Off
H 15 in Dm 42 in
'Petal' Coffee Table by Richard Schultz for Knoll Associates, 1960s, Signed
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1st Generation original of the 'Petal' coffee table with Redwood 'petals' by Richard Schultz for Knoll Associates, designed in 1960, is a favorite amongst Mid-Century Modern col...
Iron
Richard Schultz Attributed Teak Petal Side Table For Knoll
By Richard Schultz
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The Classic Mid Century design made by Knoll. With a sun bleached Teak sectioned top in Petal form surmounting an Iron pedestal with eight spokes and central post in a Brown finish. ...
Iron
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Square Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire bamboo rattan dining table made in the California organic modern style. The table features a rare, bespoke glazed fi...
Iron
Vintage Richard Schultz for KNOLL 5-Piece Patio Set
By Knoll, Richard Schultz
Located in North Miami, FL
ALL ORIGINAL 1966 Vintage set of Richard Schultz for Knoll Patio Dining Table Outdoor Collection. Outdoor or indoor powder coated over aluminum frames with brown enamel top to table...
Aluminum, Enamel
Richard Schultz 1966 Collection Outdoor Coffee Table.
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek and sophisticated addition to any outdoor space, this 1966 Collection Coffee Table by Richard Schultz embodies timeless modernist design. Originally created for Florence Knol...
Aluminum
California Redwood Petal Side Table designed by Richard Shultz for Knoll
By Richard Schultz
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a rare vintage Petal table designed by Richard Shultz for Knoll in California Redwood. This is a vintage production dating from 1960s. This table is made of solid California ...
Wood
Redwood Petal Dining Table by Richard Shultz for Knoll
By Richard Schultz
Located in San Diego, CA
Designed to be outside this table will also look stunning indoors. This Petal Dining Table by Richard Schultz for Knoll circa 1960s is a rare version in Redwood with the old Knoll La...
Wood
Richard Schultz for Knoll 42" Petal Table
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Richard Schultz for Knoll Petal Table. 1960's design, but this model dates to only a few years old. In nice shape with just a little paint loss sho...
Metal
Sold
H 16 in W 28 in D 28 in
Mid-Century Modern 1966 Richard Schultz for Knoll Square Patio Coffee Table
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic outdoor low cocktail table designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll. It features gray frame with chocolate brown porcelain top. Clean ready to use condition.
Aluminum, Steel
Mid-Century Modern 'Petal' Dining Table by Richard Schultz for Knoll
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Now available, an iconic petal coffee table designed by Richard Schultz and manufactured by Knoll. The eight separate petal tops are made out of solid teak and are being supported by...
Aluminum, Iron
Redwood Petal Dining Table by Richard Shultz for Knoll
By Richard Schultz
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a rare vintage California Redwood petal table designed by Richard Shultz for Knoll. This is a vintage production dating from 1960s. This table...
Wood
Redwood Petal Dining Table by Richard Shultz for Knoll
By Richard Schultz
Located in San Diego, CA
This is a rare vintage California Redwood petal table designed by Richard Shultz for Knoll. This is a vintage production dating from 1960's. This table ...
Wood
Redwood Petal Dining Table By Richard Schultz For Knoll
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic, Mid-Century Modern, "Petal" dining table by Richard Schultz for Knoll features a redwood top with eight petal sections on a white enameled, cast iron, eight point star base. ...
Iron
Vintage Midcentury Richard Schultz Large Aluminum Dining Table
By Richard Schultz
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fabulous vintage Midcentury outdoor dining table. The large rectangle version. Beautiful cast aluminum from the 1966 Aluminum Leisure Series...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Richard Schultz Red Cedar Petal Dinette Dining Patio Table
By Richard Schultz
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a phenomenal, round dinette table, with a red cedar wood top on a painted metal base, by Richard Schultz, circa the 1960...
Cedar
Sold
H 29 in W 76 in D 36 in
Mid-Century Modern Richard Schultz Dining Table or Desk in Rosewood for Knoll
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An amazing clean line design by Richard Schultz and produced by Knoll in the 1960s. This features a beautiful rosewood top with chrome legs and inlay details. Beautiful original cond...
Chrome
Richard Schultz for Knoll Mid Century Gold Top Dining Table
By Richard Schultz, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Richard Schultz for Knoll Mid Century gold top dining table Table measures: 60 wide x 38 deep x 26.25 Table and top can be finished to any color All pieces of furniture can be had ...
Metal