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.
Platner Armchair, designed by Warren Platner, produced by Knoll Studio
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Armchair designed and engineered by Warren Platner, produced by Knoll Studio, 1960s. The Platner chair is a masterpiece of mid-century modernism. The frame is made of vertical steel...
Gold
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
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: 29.25 wide x 23.5 deep x 30 inches high, with a seat height of 20.5 and arm height/chair clearance of ...
Metal
$14,995 / set
H 39.38 in W 41.5 in D 25.5 in
Warren Platner Lounge Easy Chair and Ottoman by Knoll, Bronze Frame, 1972
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This iconic lounge chair and ottoman by Warren Platner for Knoll International represents the peak of sculptural American modernism. Designed in the mid-1960s and still celebrated as...
Stainless Steel
Warren Platner Bronze Accent Armchair by Knoll, Custom Upholstery
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in San Diego, CA
Early bronze accent armchair designed by Warren Platner and manufactured by Knoll. The chair has been custom upholstered in original Knoll fabric. Its sculptural base is formed from ...
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
$11,437Sale Price / set|30% Off
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 Knoll, Warren Platner
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 Easy Chair
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, easy chair model '1705', steel, fabric, United States, design ca. 1962, production later. This iconic lounge chair by Warren Platner is created by welding ...
Steel
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
Vintage Settee by Warren Platner for Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage wire frame settee in original green fabric designed by Warren Planter for Knoll. Designed in 1966, this sofa exemplifies Platner’s visionary approach to blending form and fun...
Steel
$12,995 / set
H 29.5 in W 27.25 in D 21.5 in
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: 27.25 wide x 21.5 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 19 and arm height/chair clearance...
Metal
$11,115Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 36.23 in D 25.2 in
Warren Platner Lounge Chairs by Knoll, Vintage 1960s Design, USA
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Warren Platner lounge chairs for Knoll.
Steel
Platner Armchair by Warren Platner, for Knoll
Located in PARIS, FR
American architect and designer Warren Platner trained under Eero Saarinen and Kevin Roche before opening his own office in 1967. Working with Knoll, he conceived an entire furniture...
Metal
$16,500 / set
H 30.25 in W 36.5 in D 25.5 in
Lounge Chairs Designed by Warren Platner 1966 for Knoll International
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production lounge chairs model 1715L designed by Warren Platner 1966 for Knoll. Both chairs are in very good original condition with bronze wire construction. The Platner Colle...
Bronze
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
1960s Knoll Warren Platner Easy Chairs in Sheepskin, Pair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Raleigh, NC
Pair of Warren Platner Easy Chairs produced by Knoll in the 1960s, featuring the designer's signature wire rod base construction. Hundreds of steel rods are welded to circular frame...
Steel, Chrome
Warren Planet Living Room Set Mint Green
By Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner, seven lounge chairs and three stools in metal and fabric, 1966, United States. This iconic mint green set by Warren Platner (1919-2006) is created by welding curv...
Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Set of & Chairs and Dining Table, Italy 1960s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Naples, IT
Gorgeous and iconic set of six chairs and round table in polished nickel with purple backs and seat cushions designed by Warren Platner for the firm Knoll International, 1960.Design...
Nickel
Sold
H 30.5 in W 36.5 in D 25.25 in
Warren Platner Wire Frame Lounge Chairs and Matching Coffee Table for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Warren Platner Model No. 1715 Nickel Plated Wire Frame Lounge Chairs and Matching Coffee Table designed for Knoll, circa 1960's-1970's. We are ...
Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Pair Lounge Chairs Original Black Finish
By Warren Platner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Produced for just a short period in the 70's this black version is seldom seen. Two Lounge chairs covered in a gray weave fabric. Chairs were upholstered roughly 15 years ago.
Upholstery
Bronze Warren Platner seating for Knoll (2 chairs, 1 settee, 1 ottoman)
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Amarillo, TX
Rare set of Warren Platner for Knoll seating. Bronze, reupholstered in warm mohair, consisting of one settee, two easy chairs and one ottoman. Inquire for more information.
Steel
Pair of Warren Platner Chairs by Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Antwerp, BE
A classic bronze plated steel Platner chairs by Knoll International. Original Knoll upholstery.