Although Michigan native Florence Knoll (1917–2019) modestly described her furniture as “meat and potatoes” designs that were largely “fill-in pieces” for the Knoll Associates catalog, works like the Florence Knoll sofa demonstrate her artful expression of modern proportions. Introduced in 1954, the sofa was made during the American designer and entrepreneur’s direction of the Knoll Planning Unit, the company’s pioneering “design consultant service” that would define the look of the postwar workplace. The versatile Florence Knoll sofa, with its angular silhouette and tasteful mix of textures — from the colorful upholstery options to its exposed metal frame and legs — could as easily fit into the glass lobby of a skyscraper as the living room of a home.
Before she met her husband, Hans Knoll, with whom she built Knoll Associates into an international tastemaker of mid-century style, Florence studied under architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe at the Illinois Institute of Technology and worked for architects Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. That mentorship — from the major figures of the Bauhaus — had a significant impact on her approach to “total design,” in which each part of an interior was not just an object, it was a component of a comprehensive whole. Mies’s influence in particular is evident in the simplicity of the Florence Knoll sofa, its modern materials and restrained design channeling his “less is more” ethos. Its polished chrome steel legs and cushions with their clean lines further provided an architectural contrast to more sculptural pieces being created for Knoll Associates by designers such as Harry Bertoia, Eero Saarinen and Isamu Noguchi.
The numerous pieces Florence Knoll designed for the Knoll Associates furniture line were envisioned as design solutions for the changing needs in residential and office spaces. The Florence Knoll Lounge chair, also released in 1954, was a scaled-down companion to the sofa, so together they could offer flexible seating for a meeting space or entertaining area in the home.
Knoll may have designed her sofa because she needed a minimal piece as an element in the diverse interiors being filled with her company’s furnishings, but it’s now among the most celebrated of the company’s designs. Knoll, Inc. continues to produce the Florence Knoll sofa over half a century after it was introduced, and vintage models are still prized for their sturdy construction and timeless qualities.
Florence Knoll Sofa Knoll International 3 Seater Knoll International Model 26
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Berlin, BE
Authentic mid-century collectible with documented provenance: This spacious Florence Knoll Model 26-3KC sofa was produced in the 1960s and upholstered in an exceptionally high-qualit...
Steel, Chrome
Florence Knoll for Knoll Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Fuchsia
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An iconic sofa designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in the early 1960s. It features a stainless steel frame with fuchsia tweed upholstery.
Stainless Steel
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa c 1950/60's
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Incredible Mid Century classic sofa, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International ( Knoll Park Ave ). This iconic sofa displays all the sophistication, quality and beauty expec...
Chrome
Florence Knoll Sofa in Patterned Dedar Jacquard Velvet, De Coene, Belgium, 1950s
By Florence Knoll, De Coene Frères, Dedar
Located in The Hague, NL
A rare three-seat sofa designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International and produced by De Coene in the late 1950s. From 1954 onwards, the renowned Belgian manufacturer De Coene pr...
Steel
Early Florence Knoll Relaxed Sofa with Paul Smith Maharam Upholstery
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Raleigh, NC
A design classic by Florence Knoll. A stunning vintage example newly upholstered in Paul Smith stripes by Maharam, with new foam. The chrome base shows its age and has some chrome l...
Chrome
Florence Knoll - Vintage Sofa Knoll International, Mid-Century Modern 1954
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Vintage sofa by Florence Knoll, designed in 1954 for Knoll International – a true icon of modernist furniture and architectural elegance. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, ...
Steel, Chrome
Wonderful No. 26 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Rare no.26 by florence knoll in showroom condition. Hardly used only re-upholstered and used one time for a photo shooting and very exclusive model redone with very cosy fabric in wa...
Metal
Knoll Florence Relaxed 3-Seater Sofa
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Offered is a brand new, never used Knoll Florence Relaxed 3-Seater Sofa — an authentic original from the iconic Florence Knoll Collection. This piece reflects Florence Knoll’s design...
Metal, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Executive sideboard by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1970s
By Florence Knoll
Located in Oirlo, LI
The Black Florence Knoll cabinet is a statement piece designed for those who appreciate timeless elegance and modern functionality. Its deep black wood exterior instantly draws the ...
Marble
Fabulous Florence Knoll Sofa Knoll International 3 Seater Sofa , Mid-Century
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pemberton, NJ
This vintage Florenc Knoll 3 seater chrome sofa is really an amazing piece of furniture that has it all. These sofas are extremely well made and incredibly comfortable. Florence Kn...
Chrome
Knoll Associates Couch, Park Avenue, New York, Made in Italy
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Knoll Associates sofa on steel frame. Sofa has been restored with new webbing, foam and upholstery. Label located on the left hand side of sofa. Label is Knoll Associates, 320 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022. Made in Italy. Upholstered in Knoll textile called Infinite in Sugar (Infinite is a highly usable upholstery and wrapped panel fabric showing continuous circles defined by a fine black outline...
Steel
Knoll Florence Relaxed Two-Seater Sofa
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1954, this iconic two-seater reflects her architectural approach to furniture—restrained, geometric, and timeless. With softened proportions and deeper ...
Metal, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Florence Knoll Cream Leather Love Seat Sofa With Chrome Base
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Bensalem, PA
Amazing condition, cream leather sofa by Florence Knoll please look at video and pictures for overall detail. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Chrome
90in Vintage Mid-Century Knoll Three-Seat Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
Iconic Florence Knoll three-seat sofa in original berry fabric. Chrome legs. Chrome has been restored. Measures: 90 in.
Chrome
1960s Florence Knoll Sofa Reupholstered in Wool Mohair
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A stunning vintage 1960s Florence Knoll sofa that we had redone and reupholstered in a beautiful Kravet wool mohair. Color is called indigo blue. A rich navy color. We had 6 extra ba...
Steel
amazing no.26 florence knoll huge 245cm! sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
wonderful and all original florence knoll leather sofa. very unusual big size and in very good condition for it´s age.
Metal
$12,649 / item
Florence Knoll International 4-seater sofa leather
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Telgte, DE
Exceptional, balanced design Manufacturer: Knoll International Design: Florence Knoll Florence Knoll transferred the principles of the architecture of her time to the design of fur...
Steel
Parallel Bar Sofa, Model 57, by Florence Knol, USA, 1960s.
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sofa Model nº57, "Parallel bar" series, designed by Florence Knoll in 1959 and produced by “Knoll International” during the 1960s. The sofa, two-seater, with arms at both ends, is...
Chrome
Florence Knoll two-seater sofa in mustard yellow leather, 1970
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Bring timeless elegance into your interior with this iconic vintage two-seater sofa designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1954. Manufactured in the early 1970s under ...
Chrome
Vintage Florence Knoll Seating Sofa Group by Knoll Studio Black Leather
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
This timeless iconic sofa living room set was designed in 1954 by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll International in the 1980s. The complete set features an amazing patinated and ...
Stainless Steel
Florence Knoll "Model 26" Sofa in Forest Green British Wool & Leather Piping
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
Florence Knoll's influence on Mid-Century design is immeasurable. As a visionary at Knoll, she curated groundbreaking furniture collections and pioneered modern commercial interiors ...
Leather, Fabric, Wool, Walnut
$3,252Sale Price|40% Off
H 30.32 in W 88.59 in D 31.5 in
Very Early and Rare No. 578 Sofa by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
From the estate of the famous architect Viljo Revell. Hard foam. Designed in 1954. Original condition.
Fabric
$2,716Sale Price|44% Off
H 30.32 in W 89.38 in D 31.5 in
Very Early and Rare No. 578 Sofa by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Designed in 1954. Original condition. should be re-upholstered.
Fabric
$1,800Sale Price|50% Off
H 30 in W 89 in D 32 in
Mid century Florence Knoll Sofa #57 Parallel Bar System - needs upholstery
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage circa 1960 Midcentury Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System sofa Model #57 three-seat sofa with arms. Designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll Int. USA. Solid Steel frame and is in ...
Steel
Rare No. 33 Sofa by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Seldom seen 3-seat version of an iconic design by Florence Knoll.
Velvet
Florence Knoll 2-Seater Sofa, Classic Mid Century Modern, Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Florence Knoll 2 seater 'lounge series' sofa with original 2nd generation upholstery in a coarse woven off-white mottled wool fabric. This sofa d...
Chrome
$3,300
H 29.93 in W 88.59 in D 27.56 in
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Sofa in Blue Upholstery and Steel
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, sofa, model '67A', steel, fabric, United States, design 1958, production 1960s/70s This sofa model 67A is designed by Florence Knoll for Knol...
Steel
Florence Knoll Black Leather Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
A midcentury Knoll classic designed by Florence Knoll. This three person sofa features tufted black leather upholstery with chrome plated steel legs. Measures: 90". Recently restored.
Chrome
1960s Florence Knoll Sofa Reupholstered in Wool Mohair
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A stunning vintage 1960s Florence Knoll sofa that we had redone and reupholstered in a beautiful Kravet wool mohair. Color is called indigo blue. A rich navy color. We had 6 extra ba...
Steel
$9,155
H 32.29 in W 94.49 in D 31.5 in
Wonderful No. 26 Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Rare no.26 by florence knoll in showroom condition. Hardly used only re-upholstered and used one time for a photo shooting and very exclusive model redone with very cosy fabric in wa...
Metal
$2,900
H 32.5 in W 64.5 in D 30 in
Mid Century Three Seat Sofa / Bench on a Chrome Base after Florence Knoll, 1960s
By Florence Knoll
Located in Deland, FL
A minimal design in original orange upholstery set on an architectural chrome base. Provides a minimum of three seats. A great piece for home or the workplace. If the upholstery is n...
Fabric
$6,000
H 30 in W 84 in D 31 in
1950s Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Three Seat Sofa for Reupholstery
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an early Florence Knoll Parallel Bar System Sofa, Model 53, initially designed by Florence Knoll in 1955. This piece was produced in the USA at around the same time. It is a ...
Steel
$8,475
H 30 in W 84 in D 32 in
Modernist Biscuit Tufted 'Relaxed' Sofa in Holly Hunt Fabric by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
This thoughtfully designed Modernist Biscuit Tufted 'Relaxed' Sofa in Holly Hunt Upholstery is by Florence Knoll, originating from the United States, Circa 2000. Featuring a chrome f...
Fabric
Vintage Florence Knoll 3 Seater Sofa by Knoll Brown Cognac 1970s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
This timeless iconic sofa was designed in 1954 by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in the 1970s. The sofa features an amazing Mid Brown leather and has a wonderful patina. Ove...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 30.32 in W 61.82 in D 31.5 in
Two-seater sofa, Florence Knoll Bassett, Knoll International, 1954
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Torino, IT
Two-seater sofa, Florence Knoll Bassett, Knoll International, 1954
Silver Plate
Florence Knoll two-seater sofa for Knoll International, 1954
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
A Florence Knoll two-seater sofa, designed in 1954 and produced by Knoll International in the 1970s. This iconic piece of furniture combines sleek geometric lines with a minimalist a...
Chrome
Florence Knoll Sofa in Bronze Gray Velvet & Brushed Brass Base
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Stamford, CT
Modern day obsession with Mid-Century design wouldn't exist if not for the momentous efforts of Florence Knoll. The most significant chapter in Knoll’s life was spent devoted to her ...
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 31.89 in W 56.3 in D 30.71 in
Florence Knoll leather two-seater mod. 65 for Knoll International
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Florence Knoll leather two-seater mod. 65 for Knoll International! Produced from 1958-1978! This series has exceptional seating comfort and a timelessly modern look.
Chrome
Sold
H 30.32 in W 57.09 in D 31.5 in
2-Seater 'Parallel Bar' Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, 1954
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
A 2-seater sofa with armrests from the ‘Parallel Bar’ series designed by Florence Knoll Basset around 1954. Early version from 1960 probably manufactured by De Coene in Kortrijk unde...
Metal
Vintage Florence Knoll 3 Seater Sofa by Knoll Cato Wool 1970s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
This timeless iconic sofa was designed in 1954 by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll in the 1970s. The sofa features an amazing 2-tone Cato wool fabric. Overall it is in a stunn...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 32 in W 32 in D 32 in
Florence Knoll Lounge Chair, Knoll International, Cream Wool Bouclé, USA.
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Florence Knoll Lounge Chair, Knoll International, Cream Wool Bouclé, USA. 2015 / 1954 Warmed through color and texture, the Florence Knoll Lounge Chair is a scaled-down translation o...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 30 in W 90 in D 32 in
Florence Knoll for Knoll Original Tufted 3-Seat Sofa Cream White, USA 1954-2000s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Florence Knoll for Knoll Original Tufted 3-Seat Sofa Cream White, USA 1954-2000s. Warmed through color and texture, the Florence Knoll Sofa is a scale...
Textile
Florence Knoll for Knoll Cabinet
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Florence Knoll for Knoll Hanging or standing Cabinet. Always meant to hang from the wall, last used as a bar. Added feet for ease of placement. Walnut outer cabinet, and cream col...
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 122.05 in D 29.14 in
Mid-Century sofa with wooden side table / end cabinet by Florence Knoll 1960
By Florence Knoll
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Mid-Century sofa with wooden side table / end cabinet designed by Florence Knoll in the 1960s. The sofa has a black metal frame that suppo...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 90.56 in D 31.89 in
2x 3 Seater Knoll Studio Sofa and 2x Club Chair by Florence Knoll Pine Brown
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Aachen, NW
This timeless iconic sofa living room set was designed in 1954 by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll International in the 1970s. The complete set has been carefully restored in a w...
Stainless Steel
