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 Arm Chair by Knoll, Mid-Century Modern, 1977
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Single Warren Platner Arm chair made by Knoll. Distinctive wire design with pedestal motif and rounded back. Comfort and design from the mid-century! Please specify how many of 3 you...
Metal, Wire
$11,228 / set
Lounge Chair and Footstool by Warren Platner, 1966
By Warren Platner
Located in Berlin, Berlin
VINTAGE Easy chair and footstool designed by Warren Platner. U.S.A, Knoll International, 1966. The lounge chair, model number 1725. Welded curved steel and wool upholstery. Beautifu...
Metal
Armchair by Warren Platner for Knoll International, 1960s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in bruxelles, BE
Armchair by Warren Platner in metal with green fabric. Knoll edition. Large model. Seat height: 49 cm. Wear due to time and age.
Metal
Leather Platner Chair by Warren Platner for Steelcase
By Steelcase, Warren Platner
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Upholstered cushions with leather back.
Leather, Upholstery
Warren Platner Chrome Rod Lounge Chair, Red
By Warren Platner
Located in Napa, CA
Warren Platner Chrome Rod Lounge Chair in Red Wool for Knoll — Mid-Century Modern Icon An authentic Warren Platner Lounge Chair, designed in 1966 for Knoll International, this piece...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Set of Four Chairs Designed By Warren Platner With Steel structure, 1960's
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of 4 chairs designed by Warren Platner between 1968 and 1970, featuring a chrome-plated steel structure and white fabric upholstery. First edition, produced by Knoll. Warren Pl...
Steel
$20,000 / set
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...
Metal
American modern metal and red fabric chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll, 1970s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in MIlano, IT
American modern metal and red fabric chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll, 1970s Cockpit chairs with a round base. The structure follows curved and rounded lines and makes up the backr...
Metal
Lounge chair & Ottoman by Warren Platner for Knoll International, 1960s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in bruxelles, BE
Lounge chair and ottoman in metal with red fabric by Warren Platner. Seat height: 47 cm. Ottoman dimensions: Ottoman: H: 42 cm Dia: 68 cm. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQ...
Metal
Warren Platner for Knoll Nickel Lounge Chair Reupholstered in Your Fabric
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural modern lounge chair in nickel finish, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll, circa 1970s. This chair is currently being reupholstered and can be completed in your fabric. S...
Metal, Nickel
Usa modern Black fabric metal Cockcit chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll, 1970s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in MIlano, IT
Usa modern Black fabric and metal Cockcit chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll, 1970s Pair of iconic and vintage cockcit chairs with round base. The structure is made up of curved nickel-plated metal rods welded to rounded frames and the base. The backrest, armrests and seat follow the shapes of the structure and are padded and covered in black fabric. The rounded seat cushion...
Metal
$9,251 / set
H 29.93 in W 29.53 in D 22.45 in
Set of Four Warren Platner Dining Armchairs for Knoll, 1960s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Warren Platner Dining chairs An iconic set of four Warren Platner dining armchairs for Knoll, designed in the 1960s and instantly recognisable for their sculptural elegance and archi...
Steel
Set of Eight Warren Platner Armchair.
By Warren Platner
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 8 Warren Platner armchair, newly upholstered. 3 armchair with the knoll logo . Very good vintage condition, please see video .
Steel
$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
Set of 6 Bronze Chairs designed by Warren Platner for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
This fabulous set of 6 bronze Warren Platner Chairs are ready for your reinvention! Designed for Knoll in 1966, these chair frames are rare and difficult to find with a good metal c...
Bronze, Steel
Pair of Warren Platner Easy Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of Model 1705 easy chairs with ottoman, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll. Zinc steel wire rods are bent and welded to form a graceful, sculptural Silhouette. A generously ...
Zinc
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Bronzed Steel Dining Chair
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Bronze Dining Chair This chair measures: 27.5 wide x 21.5 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height/chair clearance of 24...
Steel
$7,000 / set
H 29 in W 27 in D 21.75 in
Vintage Pair of Warren Platner Chairs in Bronzed Steel for Knoll
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in North Miami, FL
An outstanding PAIR of sculptural armchairs by Warren Platner for Knoll. These are in the classic bronze finish. The upholstery has been redone in a blue mohair. Retain the original...
Steel
Vintage 1960s Warren Platner for Knoll Lounge Chair
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Vintage 1960s Warren Platner for Knoll Lounge Chair. Used, Some Wear and Tear on the Fabric from Use and some discoloration on the metal, See Photos for details. Dimensions: 30 1/4...
Metal
$3,000
H 29.25 in W 27.5 in D 20.5 in
1970s Vintage Warren Platner Occasional Chair Knoll Beige Knobby Wool
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Hyattsville, MD
The perfect glamorous vanity chair. Very sculptural wire armchair designed by Warren Platner and produced by Knoll in the 1970s. Dingy original wool blend woven KNOLL knobby biege ...
Stainless Steel
$6,500 / set
H 29.25 in W 27 in D 21.75 in
Vintage Pair of Mid Century Warren Platner Dining Chairs for Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in North Hollywood, CA
[Pair of Mid Century Warren Platner Dining Chairs for Knoll] This sophisticated set of mid-century dining chairs, crafted by Warren Platner for Knoll, features gracefully curved, ni...
Metal
$17,400Sale Price|20% 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 Bronze Finish Lounge Chair, 1960's
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Platner for Knoll Bronzed Steel Lounge Chair. Featuring his classic, 1962 designed, airy vertical Steel Wire rod construction, original Antique Bronze finish, ergonomic bucket seat, ...
Steel
Set Of Four Chairs Designed By Warren Platner, 1960's
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of 4 chairs designed by Warren Platner between 1968 and 1970, featuring a chrome-plated steel structure and bouclé fabric upholstery. First edition, produced by Knoll. Warren P...
Steel
Side Chair by Warren Platner for Knoll International
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Barcelona, ES
Side chair designed by Warren Platner in 1966 for Knoll Internationel, USA. Sculptural structure made of steel wire rods with velvet fabric upholstery. Labelled with manufacturer log...
Steel
Sold
H 28.75 in W 27.17 in D 21.26 in
Chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll International, 1960s, set of 2
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of Chairs by Warren Platner in metal and with original red fabric. Knoll edition. Seat height: 47 cm. Wear due to time and age of the armchair.
Metal
Sold
H 29.53 in W 28.35 in D 22.05 in
Pair of chairs, fabric metal Cockcit, by Warren Platner for Knoll, 1970s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Nice, FR
View in original language These are a pair of Platner armchairs, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll in 1966. These are old examples, dating from the late 1960s. The legs of these c...
Nickel
Sold
H 29.5 in W 28 in D 22 in
Pair of Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Modern Wire Lounge Arm Chairs
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A pair of Warren Platner for Knoll wire lounge chairs. A gorgeous set of original Platner arm chairs for Knoll. These beautiful, iconic chairs feature a nickel plated metal wire desi...
Metal
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...
Steel
Pair of Bronze Warren Platner Lounge Chairs for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of bronze lounge chairs designed by Warren Platner for Knoll. Newly upholstered in Holly Hunt / Teddy / Winter White fabric.
Bronze
Vintage Warren Platner for Knoll Classic Armchair
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...
Steel, Chrome
1970s Warren Platner Easy Chairs - a Pair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Roanoke, VA
Incredible vintage pair of Easy chairs designed by Warren Platner for Knoll in 1966. Chairs feature the welded curved steel bases in the original bold kelly green textured upholstery...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Warren Platner Dining Chairs for Knoll
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
UNIQUE WIRE BASE AND SMOOTH CURVES. In the 1960s, Warren Planner transformed steel cable into a collection of sculptural furniture, creating a design icon of the modern age. The frame features wire rods that are perfectly bent to create the frame of a beautifully sculpted chair. The lounge chair...
Bronze
4 Chairs, Warren Platner, Knoll Edition, 2021
By Warren Platner
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Armchairs by Warren platner Suite of 4 platner armchairs knoll edition Black edition Black velvet / blackened steel Limited edition Perfect condition 2021 Price: 12900 12...
Metal
Sold
H 30.25 in W 36.25 in D 25.5 in
Warren Platner for Knoll Nickel Lounge Chair Reupholstered in Your Fabric
By Knoll, Warren Platner
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...
Metal