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Warren Platner

American, 1919-2006

Though vintage Warren Platner chairs, sofas and interiors are icons of mid-century modernism, the architect and furniture designer took his stylistic inspiration from as far back as 18th-century France, once saying about his seminal collection for Knoll that his design intent was to evoke “the kind of decorative, gentle, graceful kind of design that appeared in period style like Louis XV.”

Indeed, the marriage of modern sensibility and classical grace is a marker of Platner’s style across furnishings and interiors — both genres in which he left an enduring legacy.

Born in 1919 in Baltimore, Maryland, Platner studied architecture at Cornell before cutting his teeth working for design icons like Eero Saarinen and Kevin Roche, eventually serving as head of interior design in the latter’s office. In 1965, Platner opened his own office, in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he continued to hone his particular brand of graceful modernism.

Knoll released the Platner Collection of seating and tables in 1966. (Originally designed in 1962, the suite took nearly four years of development to bring to life.)

The decorative bent-metal-and-glass pieces — an armchair, a dining table and more — make certain nods to the trademarks of his former employers, but also to the shapes of historic European furniture. The sculptural elegance of his line recalls Saarinen’s iconic Tulip collection, which includes armchairs and dining tables, while his materiality aligns with Roche’s cutting-edge use of glass and metal for the headquarters of the Ford Foundation in New York.

Many of Platner’s Knoll pieces would go on to find homes in a certain fabled locale: the Windows on the World restaurant at the original World Trade Center, whose interiors Platner was tapped to outfit in the mid-1970s. Upon the opening of the restaurant in 1976, New York Times architecture critic Paul Goldberger dubbed its style “sensuous modernism” — an apt tagline for Platner’s oeuvre as a whole.

Platner died in 2006 at the age of 86. His furniture is still produced by Knoll, and original examples — along with idiosyncratic custom works he created for interior design clients — are coveted by collectors today.

Find vintage Warren Platner furniture on 1stDibs.

Iconic Designs from Warren Platner
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Platner Lounge Chair
Platner Lounge Chair
Platner Easy Chair
Platner Easy Chair
Platner Armchair
Platner Armchair
Platner Side Table
Platner Side Table
Warren Platner Bronze Wire Sofa for Knoll International, c 1966
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An original Warren Platner for Knoll International sofa, designed in 1966 and produced in the late 1960s–1970s. Part of Platner’s iconic collection that transformed industrial steel rods into sculptural furniture forms, this rare loveseat / sofa features the elusive bronze wire frame, far less common than the nickel-plated versions, and no longer in production. The curved architectural silhouette is formed from hundreds of vertical steel rods, welded with horizontal rings to create a structure that is at once airy and monumental. The base is finished in the original bronze patina, lending warmth and depth that distinguishes it from later reproductions. Knoll ceased production of the Platner sofa...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren Platner

Materials

Bronze

Warren Platner for Knoll Lounge Chairs in Knoll Wool Boucle, Pair Available
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This near-mint condition pair of authentic Warren Platner for Knoll lounge chairs (Model 1715L) are upholstered in a gorgeous red wool boucle fabric by Knoll called their "Classic Bo...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner

Materials

Nickel

Warren Platner for Knoll Lounge Chairs in Knoll Wool Boucle, Pair Available
Warren Platner for Knoll Lounge Chairs in Knoll Wool Boucle, Pair Available
$4,750 Sale Price / item
20% Off
H 30.25 in W 36.5 in D 25.5 in
Warren Platner Lounge Chairs, Restored in Loro Piana Leather and Linen, Pair
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Icons. Released by Knoll, Platner’s lounge chair lends mid-century cool to any room. The famous lounge chair is created by welding curved steel rods to circular and semi-circular fra...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner

Materials

Steel

Warren Platner for Knoll Nickel Wire Dining Table
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in New York, NY
Warren Platner polished nickel dining table base by Knoll. Includes non-original 60 inch wide clear tempered glass top— last photo shows actual table with glass top. Circa 1990-200...
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner

Materials

Nickel

Authentic Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Warren Platner for Knoll in Bronze
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An iconic classic circular cocktail table designed by Warren Platner for Knoll. It features a dark bronze wire base with round clear glass top. Very nice condition.
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner

Materials

Bronze

Warren Platner for Knoll Writing Desk in Oak and Black Leather
By Florence Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, writing desk, oak, chrome-plated metal, black leather, United States, 1970s. This writing table with two drawers and an extendable panel was designed by W...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren Platner

Materials

Metal, Steel

Warren Platner Walnut and Leather Floating Case Sofa for Lehigh Leopold, c. 1970
By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptionally rare and highly sought-after collectors piece (with celebrity provenance) is a Warren Platner Executive Leather Case Sofa designed for Lehigh Leopold in circa 1970, and features a floating Walnut case with deep brown tufted leather upholstery and cushions, over a polished steel pedestal base. When comparing to the Milo Baughman case sofa, which is very popular and in-demand, this Warren Platner sofa...
Category

1970s American Modern Vintage Warren Platner

Materials

Chrome

Warren Platner Lounge Chairs in Sapphire Velvet, A Pair
By Warren Platner
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now we have 2 pairs of Warren Platner Lounge Chairs. Priced per pair these chairs are a sublime fusion of opulence and iconic design that are timelessly chic. Crafted to perfection, these lounge chairs are not merely pieces of furniture; they are functional pieces or art. Enveloped in a sumptuous deep sapphire velvet, these lounge chairs redefine comfort and style. The allure of the plush upholstery beckons you to sink into a world of indulgence, with the rich velvety texture against your skin, a tactile symphony that will elevate your relaxation to an art form. Warren Platner was a luminary in the world of modern design, Platner's career was marked by a relentless pursuit of innovation and elegance. Trained as an architect, he seamlessly transitioned into the realm of furniture design, leaving an indelible mark with his distinctive creations. Platner's ingenuity was particularly evident in his collaboration with Knoll, a legendary name in the world of modern furniture. Founded in 1938 by Hans Knoll and later joined by his wife Florence Knoll, the company became synonymous with cutting-edge design and a commitment to quality craftsmanship. Knoll became a trailblazer, collaborating with visionaries like Warren Platner to create pieces that would go on to define an era. The Platner Lounge Chairs, with their unique design and quality materials, stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of both Warren Platner and Knoll. These chairs aren't just pieces of furniture; they are collectors' items, highly sought after by those who appreciate the intersection of art and functionality. In a world where trends come and go, the Platner Lounge Chairs stand the test of time. They aren't just a place to sit; they are an experience, a visual and tactile journey into the lap of luxury. Owning these chairs isn't just a choice; it's an affirmation of a lifestyle that values the finer things – where comfort meets design, and every piece of furniture is a statement. These chairs would look incredible in any mid century modern, contemporary or modern environment. We currently have these chairs in our gallery alongside other iconic pieces, and Arne Jacobsen egg chair, and Eero Saarinen dining set...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren Platner

Materials

Nickel

Warren Platner Lounge Chairs in Sapphire Velvet, A Pair
Warren Platner Lounge Chairs in Sapphire Velvet, A Pair
$9,800 / set
H 30.25 in W 36.5 in D 25.5 in
Browse all Furniture from Warren Platner
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Warren Platner Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$2,750StoolsBronze, Leathercirca 1970
2025$1,500Coffee and Cocktail TablesSteel, Glass1960
2025$11,695Dining Room ChairsBronze, UpholsteryUnknown
2025$1,400Coffee and Cocktail TablesGlass, Nickel2000's
2025$7,160Lounge ChairsNickel1970's
2025$4,421Armchairs, Dining Room ChairsWoolcirca 2010
2025$7,250Lounge ChairsCotton, Iron2015 circa
2025$24,400Sofas, SetteesMohair, Coppercirca 1966
2025$5,600Lounge ChairsChrome1970
2025$2,850Dining Room TablesSteelCirca 1970
2025$2,486Dining Room TablesMetal, Glass, Chrome1960s
2025$4,700Armchairs, Dining Room ChairsWoolcirca 2010
2025$14,500Desks and Writing Tables, DesksLeather, Chrome, Steel, Walnut1970s
2025$850Side TablesSteel, Glass, ChromeC1975
2025$1,755StoolsStainless Steel1966
2025$4,500Tables, Desks and Writing TablesSteel, Leather, Oak1970s
2025$3,240Tables, Side TablesGlass, Chrome, Nickel1950s
2025$2,575Chairs, Lounge ChairsMetal, Upholstery1980s
2024$12,555Lounge Chairs, ArmchairsSteel, Fabric1976
2024$10,800Lounge ChairsSteel, Fabric, Plastic, Fiberglass, Foam1960
$7,070
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$850-$24,400
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Warren Platner

More Warren Platner Designs
Platner Lounge Chair
Platner Lounge Chair
Average Price
$11,774
Number Available
26
Platner Lounge Chair
By Warren Platner
Materials
Metal, Fabric, Steel, Upholstery
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Shop All
Platner Easy Chair
Platner Easy Chair
Average Price
$18,801
Number Available
17
Platner Easy Chair
By Warren Platner
Materials
Metal, Fabric, Nickel
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Shop All
Platner Armchair
Platner Armchair
Average Price
$11,740
Number Available
17
Platner Armchair
By Warren Platner
Materials
Metal, Fabric, Steel
Styles
Mid Century Modern
Despite being made of sturdy nickel-plated steel wire rods, the Platner armchair — designed by Warren Platner (1919–2006) — takes on a delicate, organic quality.  The interior designer and furniture maker studied architecture at Cornell University before working in the offices of Raymond Loewy, I.M. Pei and Eero Saarinen. Architecture became Platner’s primary field — the Baltimore native was the 1955 winner of the Rome Prize in Architecture, and he is best known for his glamorous design of t...
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Platner Side Table
Platner Side Table
Average Price
$2,801
Number Available
9
Platner Side Table
By Warren Platner
Materials
Metal, Glass, Steel
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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Warren Platner furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Warren Platner furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Warren Platner furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 150 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 3 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Warren Platner were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Selig, Ward Bennett, and Ficks Reed. Prices for Warren Platner furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,250 and can go as high as $36,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,475.

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