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 Custom Telephone Table
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Warren Platner custom telephone table for Knoll International, USA, circa 1970. A rare example of Platner’s refined modernist design, this piece features a green leather-wrapped body...
Steel, Chrome
Warren Platner for Knoll glass top on nickel plated steel base side table
By Warren Platner, Knoll
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
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
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
Side Table by Warren Platner for Knoll Int, calacatta marble top 18k Gold plated
By Knoll, Warren Platner
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
$1,595 / set
Warren Platner for Knoll Mid Century Side Table
By Knoll, Warren Platner
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
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
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
$5,500 / set
Pair of Warren Platner Side Tables
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Warren Platner Side Tables, welded curved nickel plated steel rods to circular frames, simultaneously serving as structure and ornament with inset oak tops.
Nickel
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
Pair of Warren Platner for Knoll Side / End Tables
By Warren Platner
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Warren Platner for Knoll Side / End Tables
Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Furniture Marble Top 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 marble top that sits atop the iconic base that's made of nickel plated steel. The steel wire fo...
Marble, Steel, Nickel
Warren Platner for Knoll Side-End Table, 1960
By Warren Platner
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
In the 1960s, Warren Platner transformed steel wire into a collection of sculptural furniture, creating a design icon for the modern era. The uniqueness of the furniture and its harm...
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
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
$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
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 15 in Dm 38 in
Warren Platner for Knoll International Bronze Coffee Table, circa 1970s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
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
Original Eero Saarinen for Knoll International Tulip Side Table Walnut Top
By Eero Saarinen
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic, round walnut top Eero Saarinen for Knoll International tulip side table. Measures 16 D and 20.5' H. Timeless and ever copied design, that seems as modern as when it first ...
Steel
1970s Warren Platner for Knoll 36" Round Coffee Table in Steel and Glass
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Platner Coffee Table, model 3714T, initially designed by Warren Platner for Knoll in 1966. This particular example dates to the 1970s. The design features a nickel-plated s...
Steel
Pair of Warren Platner Side Tables
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Warren Platner Side Tables, welded curved nickel plated steel rods to circular frames, simultaneously serving as structure and ornament with inset oak tops.
Nickel
$5,800
H 15 in W 36 in D 36 in
Vintage Warren Platner for Knoll Wire Spoke Base Cocktail Table Mid Century 50's
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in North Miami, FL
This iconic authentic original vintage Warren Platner chromed wire cocktail table was the original design and production from the 1950's. Knoll was the manufacturer. The original bev...
Steel, Nickel
Warren Platner Bronze Coffee Table
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Oakland, CA
Architect Warren Platner bronze finish coffee with a circular glass top. A 1980s production from Knoll. The design consists of an array of bronze finish...
Bronze
$3,000
H 15.5 in Dm 36 in
Warren Platner Knoll 36" Round Walnut, Special Order Enameled Steel Coffee Table
By Knoll, Warren Platner
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 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
$2,200
H 20.48 in Dm 16.54 in
Figured Walnut Saarinen Tulip Side Table for Knoll International, Early 1960s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic tulip pedestal table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International. Early edition, likely from the 1960. It consists of a cast aluminum base with original white vinyl wrap. The mak...
Aluminum
Warren Platner for Knoll Side Table, Nickel Finish and Glass, Circa 1980s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Oakland, CA
1980s nickel-plated rod side table with glass top by architect Warren Platner for Knoll, these designs were hand crafted in Italy by Marticola for Knoll International. Constructed o...
Steel, Nickel
1970's Original Warren Platner for Knoll Coffee Table
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An enduring icon of sculptural American modernism, this coffee table by Warren Platner for Knoll, crafted in 1972, stands as a timeless design statement. Its signature base—comprisin...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Bronze Side Tables by Warren Platner
By Warren Platner
Located in New York, NY
This reserved and thoughtfully achieved Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Bronze Side Tables by Warren Platner originates from the United States, Circa 1960. They feature a contoured bod...
Bronze
Mid-Century Modernist Bronze Side Table by Warren Platner
By Warren Platner
Located in New York, NY
This reserved and thoughtfully achieved Mid-Century Modernist Bronze Side Table by Warren Platner originates from the United States, Circa 1960. It features a contoured body composed...
Bronze
Warren Platner Modern Side Table for Knoll, c. 1960's
By Warren Platner
Located in Ross, CA
Modern side / sofa table designed by Warren Platner for Knoll in the 1960's to 1970's in Italy. The table includes a glass top which tints more toward a smoke gray. Can be picked u...
Metal
Platner for Knoll Mid Century Modern Walnut Top Circular Side End Table
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Warren Platner for Knoll side end table. This is a very classic mid century modern table, with a very timeless design. This piece features the forever iconic tapered metal wire bas...
Metal
Mid-Century Modernist Bent & Polished Nickel Side Table by Warren Platner
By Warren Platner
Located in New York, NY
This Bent and Polished Nickel side Table designed by Warren Platner originates from the United States, Circa 1970. Featuring an hourglass form in a series of parallel nickel cylinder...
Nickel
Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Polished Nickel Side Tables by Warren Platner
By Warren Platner
Located in New York, NY
These Bent and Polished Nickel side Tables designed by Warren Platner originate from the United States, Circa 1970. Featuring an hourglass form in a series of parallel nickel cylinde...
Nickel
Wire Side Table by Warren Platner
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
Nickel plated steel wire rods side table by Warren Platner for Knoll International with transparent glass tabletop. Exquisite craftsmanship, all rods are completely hand welded. P...
Steel, Nickel, Wire
Sold
H 18 in Dm 15.75 in
Mid Century Modern Sculptural Wire Side Table by Warren Platner for Knoll C1975
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic design by Warren Platner for Knoll, such a iconic form. Table is in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Glass is near perfection and fits snug on the top. 15.75 diameter with a height of 18 inches. See our pair of lounge chairs by Warren Platner, Dennis Gargiulo Gallery.
Steel, Chrome
Platner for Knoll Side Table with smoked glass top
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Warren Platner for Knoll Nickel Side Table with a smoked glass top. Nice variation from the clear glass. Overall good shape with a little tarnish to nickel.
Nickel
Sold
H 18 in W 16 in D 16 in
Mid Century Modern Bent Wire Nickel Side Table by Warren Platner for Knoll
By Warren Platner
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Bent Wire Nickel Side Table by Warren Platner for Knoll The Mid Century Modern Bent Wire Nickel Side Table, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll, is a true icon o...
Nickel, Wire