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 Writing Desk in Oak with Black Leather Top
By Warren Platner, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll International, writing desk from the Executive Collection, leather, chromed metal, oak, United States, design 1973, production 1974-1980. In 1973, Warren Platner designed a collection of executive office furniture...
Metal, Chrome
Warren Platner for Knoll Pedestal Dining Table with New 54 Round Glass
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Warren Platner for Knoll (attributed) 54″ round glass dining table. The sculptural steel base has that classic Platner silhouette—an elegant flare at the top and bottom formed by doz...
Stainless Steel
Mid Century Desk, Warren Platner for Knoll, Steel, Oak, Chrome, 1970s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Mid Century Desk, Warren Platner For Knoll, Steel, Oak, 1970s, Office, Executive Desk, Chrome, Unique Design Vintage from the 1970s Measurements: 22.5" D x 76.5" L x 29" H The top ...
Steel, Chrome
Custom Order Executive Desk and Wall Mounted Cabinet by Warren Platner for Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An inset leather top executive desk over cantilevered chrome plate steel legs with accompanying six (6) door leather wall mounted storage unit. ( 10...
Leather
$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
Warren Platner for Knoll Furniture Side Table
By Warren Platner
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is the iconic design by Warren Platner for Knoll Furniture. This side table has a glass top that sits atop the iconic base that's made of nickel plated steel. The steel wire for...
Steel, Nickel
$1,300
H 18.5 in Dm 15.75 in
Warren Platner for Knoll glass top on nickel plated steel base side table
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Ferndale, MI
Warren Platner designed collection for Knoll was introduced in 1966 . The frame of the Platner table collection features vertical steel wire rods welded to circular horizontal and ed...
Nickel, Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Coffee Table in Steel and Glass
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, coffee table, steel, glass, United States, design ca. 1962 This iconic coffee table by Warren Platner is created by welding curved steel rods to circular...
Steel
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Round Tulip Pedestal Marble Top Dining Table
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in San Antonio, TX
Iconic Eero Saarinen oval marble top tulip dining table for Knoll International, circa 1990s. 54"x28" "In his purist approach to architecture and design, Eero Saarinen sought the es...
Marble, Aluminum
Warren Platner Attr. Steel & Glass Dining Table For Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Mid Century design by Warren Platner. Black painted steel and glass dining table originally produced by for Knoll with regimented hourglass form covered with a 3/4" thick bev...
Steel
$5,624Sale Price|24% Off
H 28 in Dm 54 in
Warren Platner for Knoll International Bronze Wire & Marble Dining Table, 1970s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional vintage example of the iconic Platner Bronze Dining Table designed in 1966 by Warren Platner and this example produced by Knoll International in the 1970s. This piece re...
Marble, Metal
Original Knoll Warren Platner Collection 36" Round Glass Coffee Table
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Miami, FL
Original Knoll Warren Platner Collection 36" Round Glass Coffee Table This Knoll Warren Platner Collection 36" Round Glass Coffee Table is a...
Nickel
English Writing Table or Desk of Mahogany with Leather Top
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English writing table or console desk of mahogany from England, featuring an inset embossed green leather top over a frieze of two drawers - each drawer with knob pulls - and ...
Leather, Wood, Mahogany
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
$2,800
H 29.75 in W 53.25 in D 27.25 in
French Louis XV Style Leather Top Writing Desk with Matching Desk Chair
By Drexel
Located in Hopewell, NJ
This lovely Drexel vintage writing desk in the French Louis XV style includes a matching Louis XV style chair and displays lovely French Provincial style having curvaceous cabriole l...
Cane, Wood
Warren Platner for Knoll Coffee Table in Steel and Glass
By Warren Platner
Located in Argelato, BO
The legendary coffee table designed in 1958 by Warren Platner for Knoll International. An absolute icon of 1960s American modernism. The base is a sculptural interweaving of hand-ben...
Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Writing Desk in Oak and Black Leather
By Florence Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, writing desk, oak, chrome-plated metal, black leather, United States, 1970s. This writing table with two drawers and an extendable panel was designed by W...
Metal, Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Executive Desk with Black Leather Top
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, desk, leather, steel, oak, United States, 1973 This heavy, sturdy desk is designed by the American modernist Warren Platner. He is most known for his airy ...
Steel
Warren Platner Executive Desk with Brown Leather Top
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner, leather, steel, executive desk for Knoll, United States, 1973. This heavy, sturdy desk is designed by the American modernist Warren Platner. He is most known for h...
Steel
Package deal for Maria
By Warren Platner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Platner desk Platner large sideboard Platner small sideboard
Sold
H 29.53 in W 78.75 in D 43.31 in
Warren Platner writing desk leather and oak Knoll United States 1970
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
This refined writing desk by Warren Platner for Knoll beautifully balances modernist clarity with luxurious materiality. The rectangular top is clad in smooth black leather, offering...
Metal
Mid-century American Desk in Zebra Wood By Warren Platner
By Warren Platner
Located in Houston, TX
The desk is made of zebra wood. The table top is reupholstered with brown cowhide. There is a wide drawer for files on the left side and a smaller drawer on the right. The desk is el...
Brass
Warren Platner Leather Top Desk for Knoll International
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather top desk designed by Warren Platner and manufactured by Knoll International, c.1970s, USA. The desk features a black leather surface in a frame of solid walnut wood. There ar...
Chrome
Desk by Warren Platner for Knoll 1970s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in bruxelles, BE
Desk with leather and wood shelf, metal legs. It has a leather storage box with two drawers. Wear and tear due to time and age of the desk.
Metal
Mid-Century American Desk
By Warren Platner
Located in Houston, TX
Desk is made out of palisander wood. Table top is reupholstered with brown cowhide. There is wide drawer for files on the left side and smaller drawer on the right. Desk is elevated ...
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
Sold
H 29 in W 78.75 in D 39.5 in
1960s Writing Desk Warren Platner for Knoll Luxurious Walnut & Chrome
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Desk 1960s Modern Desk designed by Warren Platner for Knoll. Chrome plated legs in a cantilever design. Luxurious Walnut Wood with black faux leather top. Sculptural pullout drawers...
Chrome
Sold
H 30.25 in W 84 in L 30.25 in
Warren Platner Rosewood and Granite Executive Desk 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 Desk designed for Lehigh Leopold in circa 1970, a...
Granite, Stainless Steel