Warren Platner Furniture
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.
Color: Blue
Creator: Warren Platner
Pair of Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chairs in Blue Mohair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Warren Platner's iconic Easy chair for Knoll. We have reupholstered this in a high-quality mohair.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner Furniture
Materials
Nickel
Pair of Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chairs in Blue Mohair
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
Warren Platner's iconic Easy chair for Knoll. We have reupholstered this in a high-quality mohair.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner Furniture
Materials
Nickel
Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner Easy Chair, Pair
By Warren Platner
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Pair of vintage easy chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll. Great high back lounge chair design with nickel metal cage frames. Upholstery does not look original and must have been repla...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner Furniture
Materials
Metal
1976 Warren Platner for Knoll Bronze Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Warren Platner
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Warren Platner for Knoll bronze lounge chair and ottoman. Made in JAN, 8th 1976
Original chair and ottoman with bronze finish steel rods, blue cloth upholstery
Measurements ottom...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren Platner Furniture
Materials
Steel
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Warren Platner Easy Lounge Chair for Knoll, 1980s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
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The groundbreaking Easy chair was designed in the 1960s by Warren Platner and produced by Knoll in the early 1980s. This mid-ce...
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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...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren Platner Furniture
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Warren Platner for Knoll Lounge Chair
By Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural and graceful iconic lounge chair model 1705 by Warren Platner designed in 1962 for Knoll International. Upholstered in luxurious rust ...
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Warren Platner for Knoll classic armchair designed 1966
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in London, GB
Warren Platner studied at Cornell University, graduating in 1941 with a degree in architecture. He went on to work with legendary architects Raymond Loewy, Eero Saarinen, and I. M. P...
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Pair Of Two Chairs Designed By Warren Platner, 1960's
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of chairs designed by Warren Platner and published by Knoll. Structure with a sculptural shape made of steel wire. Upholstered in bouclé fabric. USA 60s.
Measurements: W 93 x D...
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Warren Platner for Knoll Nickel Lounge Chair Reupholstered in Your Fabric
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural modern lounge chair in nickel finish, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll, circa 1980s. Signed with Knoll label. This chair is currently being reupholstered and can be co...
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H 30.25 in W 36.25 in D 25.5 in
Platner Lounge Chair, designed 1966 by Warren Platner for Knoll International
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Original 1960s Platner Lounge Chair, designed 1966 by Warren Platner and manufactured by Knoll International.
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H 29.93 in W 36.23 in D 26.78 in
Mid-Century Modern Italy Dal Vera Easy Chair
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Dal Vera- Made in Italy circa 1950s, in walnut and leather restored
Measure in cm: H 70/40, W 60, D 48
Dal Vera production made in Italy 1950s
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Warren Platner for Knoll Arm Chairs/ Pair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Warren Platner for Knoll Pair of Armchairs. In like new condition! Chairs are not even 2 years old! Beautiful chairs in great condition! 1966 Design that still looks current! Ni...
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Vintage Modern Pair of Knoll Warren Platner Chairs
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A set of beautiful mid-century modern wired steel chairs. The frame features wire rods that are perfectly bent to create the structure of a beautifully sculpted chair. A seat cushion...
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1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren Platner Furniture
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Early Lounge Chairs Designed by Warren Platner for Knoll International
By Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare, early production lounge chairs designed by Warren Platner from The Platner Collection in bronze, 1966 for Knoll International. Lounge chairs are in excellent condition with new...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner Furniture
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H 31.5 in W 37.5 in D 25.38 in
Warren Platner 1705Y Easy Ottoman, Gray Leather and Nickel, Knoll, 1966
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Warren Platner 1705Y Easy Ottoman, Gray Leather and Nickel, Knoll, 1966
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Previously Available Items
Warren Platner Knoll Throne Chairs
By Warren Platner
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Pair of Warren Platner for Knoll throne chairs circa early 1970's. These examples retain their original nickel frames and have been newly
upholstered in a fabulous blue mohair. Label...
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Warren Platner, Set of 6 Chairs, circa 2020
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Located in Saint ouen, FR
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Set of Four 1970s Warren Platner Easy Armchairs for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Cathedral City, CA
1970s, set of four armchairs cover with blue cotton fabric design by Warren Platner for Knollthe. The arm chair, which can be used as a dining chair or guess chair, is created by welding curved steel rods to circular and semi-circular frames, simultaneously serving as structure and ornament.
Knoll Platner arm chair...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren Platner Furniture
Materials
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Warren Platner Inviting Teal Blue & Bronze Iconic Steel Knoll Lounge Chairs
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Iconic design by Warren Platner set of lounge chairs (2) for Knoll USA 1960s
No maker stamp is present.
Graceful steel frame with bronze powder coated finish and luscious new teal ...
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Warren Platner for Knoll Coffee Table
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Born Joseph Warren Platner in Baltimore, Maryland, he graduated from Cornell University with a degree in architecture in 1941. His career began with work in some of the most prominen...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren Platner Furniture
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Pair of Warren Platner Lounge Chairs
By Warren Platner
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of blue wool upholstered Warren Platner lounge chairs. Chairs are executed in nickel-plated steel. Platner label under cushion of both chairs marked December 10, 1980.
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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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