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.
Warren Platner Long Bench for Lehigh Leopold
By Lehigh Leopold, Warren Platner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A stunning and rare piece designed by Warren Platner and manufactured by Lehigh Leopold, c.1960s, USA. The long bench features a newly upholstered tan leather seat cushion with tufte...
Chrome
$20,000 / set
H 30.32 in W 35.44 in D 23.63 in
Vintage Warren Platner Lounge Chairs and Table for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Pair of lounge chairs and table designed by Warren Platner, circa 1970s. A Stunning set in original upholstery.
Wire
Warren Platner Ottomans/Stools for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Warren Platner Ottomans/Stools manufactured by Knoll Original velvet Upholstery
Stainless Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Dining Chairs - Pair
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Dining Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 28.5 wide x 22 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 18.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 2...
Metal
$17,100Sale Price|22% Off
H 31.5 in W 68.5 in D 29.5 in
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...
Bronze
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Stool
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Stool This stool measures: 16.75 wide x 16.75 deep x 21.75 high, with a seat height of 21.75 inches Excellent Vintage Condition. We take our p...
Metal
$16,619 / set
H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 21.66 in
Set of Four Platner Armchairs by Warren Platner for Knoll, Steel, Velvet, 1960s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Glasgow, GB
This set of four Platner armchairs by Warren Platner for Knoll, designed in the 1960s, represents a defining example of American mid-century modern design. Each chair is constructed ...
Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Dining Chair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Dining Chair This chair measures: 28.5 wide x 22 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 18.5 and arm height/chair clearance of 24.5 inch...
Metal
Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chair
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, easy chair and ottoman, model '1705', steel, fabric, United States, design ca. 1962, production later. This iconic lounge chair by Warren Platner is create...
Steel
Warren Platner Lounge Chairs for Knoll, a Pair
By Warren Platner
Located in Greensboro, NC
A Pair of Warren Platner lounge chair for Knoll in a neutral herringbone woven fabric. Timeless, beautiful mid-century modern design, incredibly well made, very comfortable. These ...
Metal
Pair Warren Platner Lounge Chairs
By Warren Platner
Located in New York, NY
Pair Warren Platner lounge chairs. The chairs have brown upholstery with a nickeled steel frame.
Steel
Leather Platner Chair by Warren Platner for Steelcase
By Warren Platner, Steelcase
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Upholstered cushions with leather back.
Leather, Upholstery
Warren Platner Easy Lounge Chair for Knoll, 1980s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
Early Easy Lounge chair by Warren Platner for Knoll. The groundbreaking Easy chair was designed in the 1960s by Warren Platner and produced by Knoll in the 1980s. This mid-century ...
Aluminum
Pair of Benches by Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold
By Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare bench in stainless steel, oak and leather designed by Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold. Matching pair available. Priced and sold individually.
Leather
Warren Platner Bench for Lehigh Leopold
By Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare bronze and leather bench designed by Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold. Pair available.