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 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
Warren Platner for Knoll International Bronze Coffee Table, circa 1970s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic Platner Bronze Wire Coffee Table (circa 1970s) was designed by Warren Platner and produced by Knoll International, originally introduced in 1966 as part of Platner’s grou...
Bronze, 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
$1,200Sale Price|25% Off
H 18 in Dm 16 in
Warren Platner for Knoll International Wire Side Table, circa 1970s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful original production wire side table by Warren Platner for Knoll International, designed in 1966 and this example circa 1970s to 1980s. From Warren Platner's iconic coll...
Metal
$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 Mid Century Side Table
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century side table This table measures: 16 wide x 16 deep x 18 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as much detail as...
Metal
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 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
$2,990
H 18.51 in Dm 15.75 in
Side Table by Warren Platner for Knoll Int, calacatta marble top 18k Gold plated
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Renens, CH
Originally designed by Warren Platner in 1966 for Knoll International, this iconic side table features a sculptural base composed of 18k gold-plated steel rods, carefully curved and ...
Marble, Gold Plate, Steel
$8,700
H 29 in W 76.5 in D 22.5 in
Mid Century Desk, Warren Platner for Knoll, Steel, Oak, Chrome, 1970s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
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
$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
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 47.5 in D 47.5 in
Mid Century Modern Nickel Dining Table by Warren Platner for Knoll, c1970s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Introducing a stunning vintage mid-century modern dining table designed by the renowned Warren Platner for Knoll, circa 1970s. This exquisite piece showcases Platner's iconic design ...
Metal, Nickel, Steel
Marble-Top Table by Warren Platner
By Warren Platner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful table by Warren Platner, New York, New York, 1960's. Platner Collection dining table Model 3716T, with chrome-plated steel and off-white marble top.
Marble, Chrome
Eight Warren Platner Chairs
By Warren Platner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful chairs by Warren Platner, New York, New York, 1960's. Platner Collection, chrome-plated steel, white boucle upholstery fabric. Each with Knoll sticker and upholstery label....
Marble, Chrome
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 Warren Platner, Knoll
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