Many of today’s most popular outdoor furniture designs exist thanks to the talents of designer Richard Schultz. Working in his fluid mid-century modern style, Schultz introduced a wealth of unimposing pieces to gardens and outdoor spaces that proved highly influential in the decades that followed. The airy shapes and timeless appeal of his vintage patio furniture and other works reflect his motto: “Form follows technique.”
Born Moses Richard Schultz in Lafayette, Indiana, in 1926, he displayed an early talent for building steam engines in his family’s basement. Although he had an aptitude for engineering, Schultz's struggles with mathematics later prevented him from completing his engineering coursework at Iowa State University. He joined the U.S. Navy, working as a radio operator. Following his military service, he enrolled at the Institute of Design in Chicago.
After he graduated in 1950, Schultz traveled to Europe, where he spent the summer sketching. When he returned to the United States in 1951, he applied for a position as a designer at the furniture manufacturer Knoll Inc. It is said that Florence Knoll — the company's cofounder and a visionary designer in her own right — hired him on the spot based solely on his sketches.
At Knoll's production facilities in Pennsylvania, Schultz was initially tasked with supporting Italian-American designer and metalsmith Harry Bertoia with the Bertoia Wire collection.
Schultz’s 715 chaise longue, with its adjustable frame and signature solid wheel, paired well with Bertoia’s celebrated woven steel-wire work. It was acquired in 1963 by the Museum of Modern Art for the institution's permanent collection. Another iconic piece Schultz produced around this time was the Petal table. Its wooden “petal” tabletop and enameled metal base were inspired by the plant known as Queen Anne’s lace.
In 1966, one of Schultz’s most esteemed series, the Leisure collection (reissued in 1992 as the 1966 collection), was developed when Florence Knoll requested some outdoor furniture for her Florida home that could withstand the salty ocean air. Schultz designed a line of aluminum patio coffee tables and lounge chairs that were not only fashionable and comfortable but also wouldn't rust.
In 1972, Knoll laid off its designers as part of the company's cost-cutting measures at the time. Schultz's role was a casualty of the reorganization, and he started his design studio — Richard Schultz Design — out of a Pennsylvania farmhouse. He enjoyed success with another of his influential pieces, the Paradigm office chair, which he sold to furniture manufacturer Stow & Davis in 1978. In 2012, Knoll acquired Richard Schultz Design and reissued many of his classic works.
Schultz is recognized today for having been one of the 20th century’s most celebrated outdoor furniture creators.
Shop vintage Richard Schultz tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Vintage MCM Richard Schultz 1966 Outdoor Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The 1966 Collection by Richard Schultz remains one of the most celebrated achievements in outdoor furniture design. Commissioned by Florence Knoll to withstand the corrosive salt air...
Metal
$4,012 / item
H 24.81 in W 90.56 in D 33.67 in
Link-Terra Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Three-Seater Outdoor Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Link-Terra Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Three-Seater Outdoor Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 85,5 x W 230 x H 63 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Aluminium, wicker, and Luminesce fabric. ...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Patio Sofa Set by Woodard
By Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, 3 piece, patio seating set by Lee L Woodard Sons features two, painted wrought iron, 3 seat sofas upholstered in pale pink textured o...
Wrought Iron
$3,995
H 27 in W 52 in D 29 in
Russell Woodard Mid Century Modern Sculptura Mesh Patio Settee Loveseat Sofa 52"
By Russell Woodard
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century modern Russell Woodard Sculptura bench / settee / loveseat. Made of wrought iron and mesh featuring a sculptured ergonomic design. Dimens...
Metal, Iron
$8,000
H 30 in W 55.5 in D 34.5 in
C. 1970s Richard Schultz Design Prototype Loveseat Sofa with Polished Steel Base
By Richard Schultz
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Prototype Sofa, designed by Richard Schultz Design in the 1970s. The design never made it to the production phase, making this a rather important piece. The sofa has a poli...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Sling Loveseat Sofa By Hannah Morrison For Knoll
By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This iconic Mid-Century Modern two-seat sling sofa / loveseat was designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll in 1971. It features a strong outline frame made of white pow...
Steel
$2,680
H 26.75 in W 80 in D 27 in
Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll Sling Settee Sofa Design, 1970s
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Buffalo, NY
Iconic Knoll sling bench designed by Hannah Morrison, black coated aluminum frame with grey wool upholstery. Some small marks on the frame but in otherwis...
Aluminum, Steel
$2,850 / item
H 31.5 in W 53.15 in D 31.11 in
Minimalist Sofa for Outdoor, Contemporary Brazilian Design
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
This minimalist outdoor sofa is made in hardwood, metal and fabrics, two places sofa with arms, the multi-finish structure is combined with outdoor fabrics such as the Batyline to create an interesting outdoor solution. Bellow the full Skyfolding collection concept: Skyfolding In-outdoor collection, the collection concept is inspired by the Asian building scaffoldings, where a structure is composed by bamboo sticks crossed to create this inspiring and fascinating structures. We combined elements of this structures and also references from the ballet stretching bars that often combine metal and wood, this combo is the concept very soul. All the figurative elements are abstracted in the design process to extract the precise best of each world, and by then resulting in a collection of delicate objects, cult and curated to the minimum details, in design and engineering. The collection is composed by outdoor net, batyline or plastic, in a portion leaving room to a more soft design approach that is harmonious, this elements are combined to a structure made of wood and metal that transcends to tech and soft, a paradigm of past, present and future that invite all the viewers to contemplate and reflect in this philosophical matters in a tactile and visual way. Resulting is a essential and timeless set of objects designed for the modern lifestyle that permit infinite compositions indoors or outdoors that will participate in lives for a lifetime like a breeze full of “zen” elements and energy. Award winner of the biggest South American design...
Metal
brazilian Minimalist outdoor sofa "Serge" by Samuel Lamas
By Samuel Lamas
Located in Brasilia, DF
Introducing the Serge Sofa by Lamas Design, an epitome of outdoor elegance and modern architectural sophistication. The Serge Sofa features a meticulously c...
Fabric, Nylon, Wood
$3,212 / item
H 24.81 in W 76.78 in D 33.67 in
Link-Terra Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Two-Seater Outdoor Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Link-Terra Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Two-Seater Outdoor Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 85,5 x W 195 x H 63 cm. Materials: Aluminium, wicker, and Luminesce fabric. Link-Terra Wh...
Aluminum
