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 Rosewood, Leather and Granite Executive Desk
By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold
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
Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Mid Century Rosewood and Chrome Executive Desk
By Lehigh Leopold, Warren Platner
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
1979 Warren Platner for Knoll Executive Desk in Leather, Oak, and Chromed Steel
By Knoll, Warren Platner
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
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
$3,195
H 29 in W 59.75 in D 29.75 in
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Danish Modern Walnut Executive Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage desig...
Brass
$3,499Sale Price|63% Off
H 29 in W 60 in D 30 in
Rare Mid-Century Modern Walnut Push-Button Executive Desk by SLS Environetics
By Lehigh Leopold
Located in Lafayette, IN
This ultra-rare and ultra-cool desk features a black steel frame, walnut veneer cabinet and brushed-aluminum legs with rosewood inlay. The contrasting woods, aluminum accents and minimalist, mid-century lines, make this desk is the epitome of 70's chic! However, what makes this desk truly remarkable is its parlor trick... Cable-actuated, spring-loaded drawers that open at the touch of a button! (see video) This unique desk was custom-designed by SLS Environetics and produced by Leopold/Litton Industries for use in offices at the Sears Tower...
Steel, Aluminum
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
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
Mid Century Walnut and Chrome Executive Desk
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mid Century Walnut and Chrome Executive Desk This desk measures: 65 wide x 36 deep x 30 high, with a chair clearance of 28.25 inches We take our photos in a controlled lighting stu...
Chrome
Florence Knoll Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Florence Knoll Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk This desk measures: 66 wide x 32 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 inches Fair Vintage Condition - Desk has Stain Wea...
Walnut
Dillingham Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this nice vintage desk made by Dillingham
Walnut
Gianni Moscatelli Desk for Formanova, 1979 Italy
By Formanova, Gianni Moscatelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Formanova desk by Gianni Moscatelli. Original Formanova tag dated and signed 1979, Italy. Newly refinished in a high gloss Ebony polished finish. Right side of desk has a fl...
Stainless Steel
$12,500 / set
H 28.5 in W 80 in D 40 in
American Mid-Century Maple Executive Desk with Stainless Steel Legs
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century rosewood large executive desk with pull out shelves on top resting on 2 drawer units over a Pair of aluminum pedestal bases (HERBERT HIRCHE-Christian Holzäpfel KG) Germa...
Wood
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.75 in W 78.75 in D 74 in
Mariani for Pace Grey-Green Leather Executive Desk and Credenza
By Pace Collection, i4 Mariani
Located in Chicago, IL
Italian executive desk by Mariani for Pace Collection. Modular desk assembles in pieces for easy adjustments and moving. Teal grey leather has tooled borders where the hides are join...
Leather, Wood, Laminate
Mid Century Rosewood Desk Probber c 1950/60's
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
Chic, architectural design desk, designed by Harvey Probber, circa 1950/60's. The desk features a vibrant rosewood top, sides, and drawer fronts, with contrasting graphic black trim ...
Rosewood
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
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 Stamford, CT
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
Sold
H 29.75 in W 78.75 in D 43.32 in
Warren Platner Steel Grey Cerused Oak and Black Leather Executive Desk
By Warren Platner
Located in Chicago, IL
Large custom desk by Warren Platner for Knoll International, impeccably upgraded for the modern executive. The former "golden oak" bull nose surround is now in steel grey with ebony ...
Steel
Warren Platner Custom Desk
By Warren Platner
Located in Chicago, IL
Platner architectural commissioned and manufactured for Lehigh-Leopold desk; exceptional bookmatched highly figured rosewood veneers. Composed of double hanging and removable pull-...
Granite, Bronze