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 Edited by Knoll Carrara Marble Steel Table, USA, 1970s
By Warren Platner
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Dining table designed by Warren Platner edited by Knoll, composed of a steel structure with welded rods creating curved and circular shapes. Tabletop made of Carrara marble, USA, 197...
Carrara Marble, Steel
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
$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 Coffee Table in Steel and Glass
By Warren Platner, Knoll
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
$5,624Sale Price|24% Off
H 28 in Dm 54 in
Warren Platner for Knoll International Bronze Wire & Marble Dining Table, 1970s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
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
Warren Platner for Knoll Coffee Table in Steel and Glass
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, coffee table, nickel-plated steel, glass, United States, design 1966 This iconic coffee table by Warren Platner is created by welding curved steel rods to ...
Steel
$5,153
H 27.56 in Dm 53.94 in
Dining table in Glass and Nickel Plated Steel, Warren Platner for Knoll, 1960s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in MIlano, IT
American modern dining table in glass and metal by Warren Platner for Knoll 1966 Round dining table with glass top. The structure follows curved lines, opens under the top to support...
Steel, Nickel
Warren Platner Marble Top Bronze Dining Table
By Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
A Warren Platner dining table with bronze powder coated base and marble top.
Marble
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
$1,170Sale Price|40% Off
H 18.75 in W 24 in D 24 in
Vintage Nickel and Marble Side Table Designed by Warren Platner for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This Warren Platner side table for Knoll is from a high-end estate that was furnished in the late 60s and early 70s with modern furnishings. The wire frame is in a nickel finish and ...
Marble, Nickel
Dining table by Warren Platner
By Warren Platner
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Dining table by Warren Platner for Knoll International, USA circa 1968. Round top in massive oak recovered with black leather. Basement in chrome plated steel. The leather is in its ...
Steel
Original Knoll Warren Platner Collection 36" Round Glass Coffee Table
By Warren Platner, Knoll
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
Pair of Vintage Warren Platner Side Tables, Knoll, 1970s, Mid Century
By Warren Platner
Located in Round Rock, TX
Vintage Pair of Warren Platner Side Tables with inset glass tops. Originally produced by Knoll in the 1960s and designed by the visionary architect and designer Warren Platner. Thes...
Chrome, Zinc
$3,995
H 18.75 in W 23.8 in D 23.8 in
Warren Platner Rosewood Black Steel Base Side Table Knoll Associates 1970s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Forest Grove, PA
Wonderful 1970s Rosewood and Black Steel base side table designed by Warren Platner for Knoll Associates from the estate of a Knoll employee in East Greenville, PA.
Steel
Warren Platner Dining Table for Knoll, Glass Top, Steel Base
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An intricately minimal dining table by Warren Platner for Knoll. Designed in 1960s, the Platner collection featured designs defined by curved and welded steel spokes. This table has ...
Steel
$3,000
H 15.5 in Dm 36 in
Warren Platner Knoll 36" Round Walnut, Special Order Enameled Steel Coffee Table
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Warren Platner, this table was made in the US by Knoll. Dated by the label, we can determine the date of manufacture to be from the 1960s. This example is quite special, ...
Enamel, Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Dining Chairs in Original Bronze Finish
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of four sculptural dining chairs, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll, American, circa 1960s. Signed with Knoll label. These ...
Metal
Bronze and Teak Warren Platner Dining Set for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully patinated bronze dining set with refinished teak top and chairs reupholstered in boucle. Designed by Warren Platner for Knoll.
Bronze
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid-Century Modern Dining Table & Chairs
By Warren Platner
Located in Astoria, NY
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid-Century Modern dining table with circular tinted glass top on chrome basket base, with four upholstere...
Metal
Original Vintage Chrome Warren Platner for Knoll Dining Table + 4 Armchairs
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in North Miami, FL
This exceptional vintage chrome Warren Platner for Knoll dining set has been expertly reupholstered in a creamy Pierre Frey Paris Bouclé fabric. Wonderful lightly used condition with...
Chrome
Sold
H 27.56 in Dm 51.19 in L 27.56 in
Warren Platner Edited by Knoll Carrara Marble Steel Table, USA, 1970s
By Warren Platner
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Dining table designed by Warren Platner edited by Knoll, composed of a steel structure with welded rods creating curved and circular shapes. Tabletop made of Carrara marble, USA, 197...
Carrara Marble, Steel
Sold
H 27.96 in Dm 53.15 in L 27.96 in
Set of Wire Dining Table and Six Chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll, US - 1960s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful early set of dining table with smoked glass top and six matching dining chairs with purple fabric. Designed by Warren Platner in the early 1960s and manufactured by Knoll ...
Wire
Warren Platner Dining Room Set for Knoll, 1960s First Edition
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-Century Modern Warren platner dining table set, Knoll, USA 1960s. The table has a nickel cage base and a beveled original glass top. The chairs have the original dark green ...
Nickel
Warren Platner Dining Chairs Set of Six
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of six sculptural chrome dining chairs, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll, American, circa 1960s. They have been reupholstered in a plush deep green velvet. This listing is fo...
Metal
Warren Platner Walnut and Chrome Dining Table
By Warren Platner
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural walnut and chrome dining table, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll, circa 1960s. The walnut top has been refinished and exhibits beautiful graining. This listing is for the dining table only.
Metal
Warren Platner Dining Room Set for Knoll, 1960s First Edition
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner dining table set. The table has a nickel cage base and a beveled original glass top. The chairs have the original dark green velvet upholstery. ...
Nickel
Pair of Warren Platner Bronze Dining Chair for Knoll, Need Restoration
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of vintage Warren Platner for Knoll bronze dining chairs for Knoll, circa 1966. I sold the pair shown in the main photo, but now have two that are in need of re-upholstery. Orig...
Bronze
Marble Dining Table and Six Chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Kansas City, MO
Warren Platner for Knoll marble top dining table and six matching chairs. Early Knoll production. The set is in very good condition. N...
Carrara Marble, Steel, Nickel
Sold
H 29.53 in W 28.75 in D 21.66 in
Set of Dining Table & Six Side Chair by Warren Platner Knoll International 1960s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Wadersloh, Germany
Set of dining table and six side chair by Warren Platner Knoll International, 1960s Chairs and table in original condition, 1968. Fabric by KnollTextile, marble tabletop.
Marble, Nickel
Warren Platner Bronze Dining Set for Knoll, circa 1960s, Teak Top
By Warren Platner
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage Warren Platner for Knoll bronze dining set for Knoll with early labels. The top has been refinished, the chairs upholstery and foam are or...
Bronze
Warren Platner for Knoll Bronze Finish & Marble Table With Six Chairs
By Warren Platner
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1960s Knoll dining table with six chairs set designed by Warren Platner. 54” diameter table has beveled edge Italian carrarra marble top and b...
Carrara Marble, Bronze