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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.

Average Sold Price
$5,689
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
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
Mid Century Warren Platner for Knoll Slipper Lounge Chairs
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sharp matching pair of lounge chairs designed by Warren Platner and produced by Knoll Associates. They feature bronzed steel frames and neutral beige tweed upholstery. All original...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner

Materials

Steel

Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Mid Century Rosewood and Leather Top Credenza
By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Mid Century Rosewood and Leather Top Credenza This credenza measures: 109.75 wide x 21.75 deep x 28.5 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Stain o...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Warren Platner for Knoll glass top on nickel plated steel base side table
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Ferndale, MI
Warren Platner designed collection for Knoll was introduced in 1966 . The frame of the Platner table collection features vertical steel wire rods welded to circular horizontal and ed...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner

Materials

Nickel, Steel

Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Dining Chairs - Set of 4
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Dining Chairs - Set of 4 Each chair measures: 28.75 wide x 22 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 19 and arm height/chair clearance o...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner

Materials

Metal

Warren Platner for Knoll Nickel Wire Dining Table
By Warren Platner, Knoll
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

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 for Knoll International Wire Side Table, circa 1970s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful original production wire side table by Warren Platner for Knoll International, designed in 1966 and this example circa 1970s to 1980s. From Warren Platner's iconic coll...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren Platner

Materials

Metal

Pair of Warren Platner for Knoll Lounge Chairs in Sapphire Velvet
By Knoll, 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

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner

Materials

Nickel

Browse all Furniture from Warren Platner
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Warren Platner Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$2,695Coffee and Cocktail Tables, Side TablesStainless Steel, Glass1972
2025$5,950Desks and Writing TablesMetal, Steel, Leather, Oak1970s
2025$1,479Side TablesSteel, GlassCirca 60s
2025$9,775Dining Room ChairsSteel, Fabric1973
2025$2,384Chairs, Lounge ChairsSteel, Chrome, Fabric20th Century
2025$1,500Coffee and Cocktail TablesSteel, Glass2018
2025$2,465Coffee and Cocktail Tables, LowboysBronze, Glass2000s
2025$3,500Side TablesGlass, Nickelcirca 1970
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
$5,689
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
$10,383
Number Available
27
Platner Lounge Chair
By Warren Platner
Materials
Fabric, Metal, Steel
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
$2,534
Number Available
11
Platner Side Table
By Warren Platner
Materials
Metal, Glass, Steel, Nickel
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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