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.
1960s Warren Platner for Knoll Side Table in Bronzed Steel and Glass
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Platner Side Table, model 3710T, originally designed by Warren Platner for Knoll in 1966. This particular example features a bronzed-steel base and has a glass top. It date...
Steel
1975 Warren Platner for CI Designs Oak and Brown Leather Dining Arm Chair
By Warren Platner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a circa 1975 production oak and leather armchair designed by renowned architect and furniture designer Warren Platner. This piece was part of a series that Platner...
Leather, Oak
1975 Warren Platner for CI Designs Oak & Dark Tan Fabric Dining Arm Chair
By Warren Platner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a circa 1975 production oak and dark tan fabric armchair designed by renowned architect and furniture designer Warren Platner. This piece was part of a series that Platner designed for CI Designs...
Oak, Fabric
$9,417 / set
H 29.93 in W 29.53 in D 22.45 in
Set of Four Warren Platner Dining Armchairs for Knoll, 1960s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
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
$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
$19,500 / set
H 39 in W 41 in D 36 in
Warren Platner for Knoll Original Bronzed Easy Lounge Chair in Boucle Pearl
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Luxurious Model 1705 Easy Chair in the highly sought-after bronze finish, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll. The sculptural silhouette is achieved through gracefully bent and weld...
Steel
Mario Bellini Tan Cab Side Dining Chair for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic design by Mario Bellini for Cassina designed 1977, Italy, features the original natural toned saddle leather which is wrapped atop a steel frame. The back of each leg fea...
Steel
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 Warren Platner, Knoll
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
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Bronzed Steel Dining Chair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
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
$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 Knoll, Warren Platner
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
Vintage / Modernist Warren Platner Chair in Bronzed Steel for Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Buffalo, NY
A classic modernist sculptural armchair by Warren Platner for Knoll. Chair in the classic bronze finish in nice original condition, The upholstery has been redone . Retains the origi...
Steel
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
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
$16,643 / 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 Nickel Chrome Lounge Chair for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A sculptural nickel chrome wire framed small lounge chair with upholstered seat and back edge in the original fabric still retaining the bottom fabric ticking with the Knoll mark. A ...
Metal
Sold
H 29.34 in W 27.37 in L 29.34 in
Matched Set 4 Warren Platner Dining / Side Chairs, Knoll, circa 1974
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning set 4 modernist wire dining chairs designed by Warren Platner manufactured by Knoll, retains original blue wool fabric, also retains original Knoll Label, large "K" dated 19...
Metal
Warren Platner Pair of Side Chairs
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of nickel frame side chairs newly upholstered in blue velvet. Designed by Warren Platner for Knoll.
Nickel
One Warren Platner Knoll Dining/Side Chair
By Warren Platner
Located in Pasadena, TX
Warren Platner Architect and designer Warren Platner (1919-) was born in Baltimore and graduated from the Cornell University School of Architecture in 1941. He got his professional start working in some of the most prominent and interesting architecture practices in the country. Between 1945 and 1950 he worked for Raymond Loewy and I.M. Pei. He was a part of Eero Saarinen's office from 1960-1965, participating in the designs for the Dulles International Airport in Washington D.C., the Repertory Theater at Lincoln Center and several dormitories at Yale University. It was after this extensive exposure to many innovative modern designers of the period, and having gathered a great deal of experience, that Platner opened his own office, Platner Associates, in Connecticut in 1967. Warren Platner Bronze Dining...
Wire
Set of Two Midcentury Chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll Chairs
By Warren Platner
Located in Denton, TX
Set of two chrome nickel chairs recently polished new upholstery recommended.
Chrome, Nickel
Burgundy Velvet Warren Platner Wire Chair for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Utrecht, NL
Sculptural and iconic wire side/dining chair by Warren Platner for Knoll International. Nickel-plated steel wire frame executed from as many as a 1000 welds with a mohair 'Knoll Ve...
Chrome, Steel
Four Iconic Warren Platner Armchairs for Knoll
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
SOLD Four steel wire Warren Platner armchairs from Knoll in cafe con leche moleskin velvet. Excellent original condition with new fabric. For trade pricing please contact dealer....
Warren Platner Pair of Side Chairs
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of nickel frame side chairs in original green mohair. Designed by Warren Platner for Knoll.
Nickel
Warren Platner Nickel Side Chair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Hanover, MA
Warren Platner sculptural wire side chair in nickel plated steel by Knoll.