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 for Lehigh Leopold Mid Century Rosewood, Stainless Steel Credenza
By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Mid Century Rosewood and Stainless Steel Credenza This credenza measures: 91.75 wide x 21.75 deep x 28.25 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Cre...
Stainless Steel
$34,300Sale Price|23% Off
Warren Platner Rosewood, Brass and Granite Credenza for Lehigh Leopold, c. 1970
By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptionally rare and highly sought-after collectors piece is a Warren Platner Executive Credenza designed for Lehigh Leopold in circa 1970, and features a floating Rosewood up...
Granite, Brass
Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Mid Century Rosewood and Chrome Executive Desk
By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Mid Century Rosewood and Chrome Executive Desk This desk measures: 95.75 wide x 39.5 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair clearance of 27.5 inches Good...
Chrome
Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Rosewood, Leather and Granite Executive Desk
By Lehigh Leopold, Warren Platner
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Mid Century Rosewood, Leather and Granite Executive Desk This desk measures: 96 wide x 40 deep x 30 high, with a chair clearance of 28 inches Good...
Granite
1979 Warren Platner for Knoll Executive Desk in Leather, Oak, and Chromed Steel
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Large Executive Desk, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll International in 1973. The desk features a minimalist design, having a chromed-steel cantilever base. It has an i...
Steel, Chrome
$18,480Sale Price|58% Off
Warren Platner Marble and Brass Wall-Mount Console
By Warren Platner
Located in Chicago, IL
WARREN PLATNER (1919 – 2006) Custom curvilinear console in Rosso Alicante marble, raised on a trio of lacquered brass wall-mount brackets. Execu...
Marble, Bronze
Warren Platner Executive Desk
By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed circa 1965 for Lehigh Leopold by renowned architect Warren Platner, this striking executive desk combines luxurious materials with a bold architectural presence. The top is ...
Aluminum
1979 Warren Platner Executive Credenza in Oak, Leather, and Chromed Steel
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Large Executive Credenza in Oak, Leather, and Chromed Steel, initially designed by Warren Platner for Knoll International in 1973. This particular unit was produced in 1979...
Steel, Chrome
$2,200
H 4.5 in W 21 in D 8.62 in
Italian Designer, Wall Mounted Console, Bamboo, Rattan, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A bamboo and rattan wall mounted console designed and produced by a Italian designer, Italy, 1950s.
Bamboo, Rattan
Adnet Style Saddle Stitched Leather Cantilevered Wall Console
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Hanover, MA
A wall console wrapped in saddle leather supported by two L shaped brackets with a top stitch detail in the manner of Jacques Adnet. One drawer with a piece of leather serving as the...
Leather
Davis Allen Mid Century Burlwood and Chrome Executive Desk
By Davis Allen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Davis Allen Mid Century Burlwood and Chrome Executive Desk This desk measures: 65.25 wide x 32.25 deep x 29.25 high, with a chair clearance of 26 inches All pieces of furniture can...
Chrome
$4,314
H 33.47 in W 72.45 in D 18.9 in
Luxury Walnut Brass Credenza by William Watting for Fristho Modernart Denmark
By William Watting, Fristho
Located in Voorburg, NL
Stunning Walnut sideboard designed by William Watting and produced by Fristho Modernart Denmark in 1955. This piece was part of the 'Modern Art' collection and brought a Scandinavian...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Credenza Sideboard
Located in Baltimore, MD
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood credenza/sideboard circa 1960s. This smartly crafted credenza is a perfect collaboration of design and function. Featuring triple cabinet doors that open ...
Rosewood, Walnut
$2,650 / set
H 32.25 in W 72 in D 19 in
Rosewood Mid Century Credenza Attributed To Directional Furniture
By Directional
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine and well made Mid Century Cabinet with deep Rosewood Veneer, Chrome pulls and support legs attributed to the iconic Mid Century furniture company Directional. With a center fl...
Metal
$2,894
H 4.14 in W 27.96 in D 10.04 in
Venetian Modern Wall-Mounted Console Table, Pink Purple Mirrors & Brass Details
Located in Barcelona, ES
Cool Venetian style Hollywood Regency wall-mounted mirrored console table with iridiscent and mirror glass panels. Spain, 1960s This glamorous piece features a wall console with two ...
Metal, Brass
1968 Executive Desk
By Warren Platner
Located in Hanover, MA
Executive desk formerly belonging to noted architect George M. Notter, (1933–2007) of the Boston firm Anderson Notter Finegold (now known as Finegold Alexander Architects). Current institutional memory at the firm suggests it was a special order from Herman Miller for the then new New York offices of MGM, however Herman Miller's archivist was unable to confirm. Styling, particularly the distinctive slim milled aluminum tracks through which the entire drawer carriage glides is clearly similar to Warren Platner's designs for Lehigh-Leopold which were then among the most costly of executive office furnishings. The bent flat bar chromed steel base with its distinctive pigeon toe splay is somewhat similar to a table base in Stow Davis' Electa Series, designed by Alexis Yermakov circa 1971. Walnut laminate top is very clean with no issues. One corner edge shows a small separation. The only identifying markings are within the milled aluminum channel: G.P. F.I. 2 And the date Dec. 20, 1968. See image 18. Between the rectangular laminate top and the chrome base is a heavy blackened steel plate. Underneath the bent chrome pigeon toe feet are bars of a thick phenolic material which act as floor protector. We can have keys made to fit the two locking drawers. Tim Anderson...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
$3,300Sale Price|40% Off
H 29 in W 72 in D 20 in
Mid century rosewood and chrome floating credenza 2 door 3 drawer
By Roger Sprunger, Warren Platner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Mid century rosewood floating credenza 2 door 3 drawer on a chrome tube base. Beautiful grain on top with very high end construction. Left drawer holds files and the 2 midd...
Chrome
Midcentury Executive Boomerang Desk
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this very unique large executive boomerang desk. The top is made out of laminate and the bottom is solid wood.
Walnut
Alma Mid Century Rosewood and Leather Executive Desk
By Alma Desk Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Alma Mid Century Rosewood and Leather Executive Desk This desk measures: 78 wide x 36 deep x 29.5 high, with a chair clearance of 28 inches Fair Vintage Condition - Desk has Stain ...
Leather, Rosewood
$3,599Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.25 in W 72 in D 20 in
1970's Mid-Century Modern Robert Baron Rosewood Credenza / Sideboard
By Robert Baron
Located in Burbank, CA
Original Mid-Century Modern sideboard for sale. Designed by Robert Baron for Glenn of California, and has been professionally refinished. It dates back to...
Rosewood
Warren Platner for Knoll Executive Credenza in Leather & Cherry
By Warren Platner
Located in Oakville, CA
Design care of Warren Platner. Vintage, 1973. Original leather surface and leather wrapped modular cabinets/drawers. Otherwise constructed of cherry wood, steel and chrome. 6 cabinet...
Chrome
Large Warren Platner sideboard by Knoll International, 1973
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Designed in 1973 for Knoll International, this exec. sideboard is a quintessential example of mid-century modern office design. Platner, known for his wire creations, was also capabl...
Steel
Sold
H 28.75 in W 94.49 in D 19.69 in
Unique Warren Platner credenza / desk by Knoll International, 1973
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Designed in 1973 for Knoll International, this exec. sideboard is a quintessential example of mid-century modern office design. Platner, known for his wire creations, was also capabl...
Steel
Wall Mounted Shelving Unit by Warren Platner
By Warren Platner
Located in Long Island City, NY
Wall mounted shelving Unit by Warren Platner featuring 6 shelves with brass enclosures.
Brass
Warren Platner Executive Desk
By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning executive desk by American designer Warren Platner. Features an elegant Cherry Wood body floating atop a singular modern chrome pedestal base. Newly refinished.The desk top ...
Chrome
Warren Platner for Knoll Sideboard in Original Leather
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, sideboard, chrome, oak, leather, United States, after 1973 This sideboard is designed by American modernist Warren Platner. He is most known for his airy...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 77 in D 24 in
1965 Massive Executive Leather Sideboard Credenza by Warren Platner for Knoll
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration: 1965 massive peather sideboard credenza vintage Warren Platner for Knoll International Platner Executive Collection 1960s. Iconic design mid century madness...
Chrome
Sold
H 30 in W 78 in D 42 in
Warren Platner Desk Mid-Century Modern on a Rosewood, Brass and Marble Base
By Warren Platner
Located in Manhasset, NY
Warren Platner for Knoll desk. Mid-Century Modern on a rosewood, brass and marble base. This large and impressive spectacular executive d...
Marble, Metal
Warren Platner Cantilever Sideboard
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome black oak sideboard designed by Warren Planter and manufactured by Knoll International, in 1973. Entire piece rests on top of two cantilev...
Chrome
Package deal for Maria
By Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Platner desk Platner large sideboard Platner small sideboard
Warren Platner Executive Lowboard in Original Leather for Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner, executive sideboard for Knoll, United States, 1973. This heavy, sturdy credenza is designed by the American modernist Warren Platner. He is most known for his airy...
Steel
Warren Platner Executive Cabinet Knoll International, 1973
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super quality executive office cabinet from the executive collection designed by Warren Platner and manufactured by Knoll International, USA, 1973. This cabinet has two chrome-plated...
Chrome