As a company that produced many of the most famous and iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, Knoll was a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States. Led by Florence Knoll, the firm would draw stellar talents such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen into its compass. Their work would help change the face of the American home and office.
The company was formed in 1938 by the German immigrant Hans Knoll. He first worked with his fellow ex-pat, the Danish designer Jens Risom, who created furniture with flowing lines made of wood. While Risom served in World War II, in 1943 Knoll met his future wife, Florence Schust. She had studied and worked with eminent emigré leaders of the Bauhaus, including Mies, Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. She won Knoll over with Bauhaus notions of industrial arts, and an aesthetic that featured flat and tubular metal frames and angular forms. When Hans died in a car crash in 1955, Florence Knoll was appointed head of the company. It was as much through her holistic approach to design — a core division of the firm was dedicated to planning office systems — as Knoll's mid-century modern furnishings themselves that she brought about the sleek and efficient transformation of the American workplace.
Today, classic Knoll furnishings remain staples of modern design collections and decor. A history of modern design is written in pieces such as the elegant Barcelona chair — created by Mies and Lilly Reich — Saarinen’s pedestal Tulip chair, Breuer’s tubular steel Wassily lounge chair and the grid-patterned Diamond chair by Harry Bertoia.
As you can see from the collection of these designs and other vintage Knoll dining chairs, sofas and tables on 1stDibs, this manufacturer's offerings have become timeless emblems of the progressive spirit and sleek sophistication of the best of modernism.
Mid Century Modern Knoll Rockwell Unscripted Swivel Bar Stool
By Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern Knoll rockwell unscripted swivel bar stool The rockwell unscripted upholstered seat offers fun punctuation to dining, living or office spaces. Mix them with Classic Knoll dining chairs to create an Eclectic Statement at Your Table or Sprinkle Them Around for impromptu Guest Seating. Make Funky colorful side...
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Knoll Rockwell Unscripted Swivel Bar and Low Stool, Set of 2
By Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Knoll rockwell unscripted swivel bar and low stool - set of 2. The Rockwell unscripted upholstered seat offers fun punctuation to dining, living or office spaces. Mix them with classic Knoll dining chairs to create an eclectic statement at your table or sprinkle them around for impromptu guest seating. Make funky colorful side...
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Knoll Rockwell Unscripted Swivel Bar and Low Stool, Set of 2
By Knoll
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Modern Knoll Rockwell unscripted swivel bar and low stool - set of 2 The Rockwell unscripted upholstered seat offers fun punctuation to dining, living or office spaces. Mix them with Classic Knoll dining chairs to create an Eclectic statement at your table or sprinkle them around for impromptu guest seating. Make funky colorful side...
Fabric
MCM Swivel Retro Tub Chair Newly Reupholstered
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Swivel Retro Tub Chair Newly Reupholstered in a Natural Cashmere Alpaca Fabric Mid-Century Modern swivel tub chair with a sculptural, low-profile silhouette. Newl...
Alpaca
Vintage Mid Century Modern Karpen Club Chair
By Karpen & Bros.
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Karpen Club Chair Vintage Mid Century Modern Karpen Club Chair: Retro Chic Furniture with Newly Upholstered Cushions! ...
Bouclé, Wood
Modern Bernhardt Design Mitt Lounge Chair in Lagoon Blue
By Bernhardt
Located in Chicago, IL
Modern Bernhardt Design Mitt lounge chair in Lagoon blue with white stitching with handle The Mitt Lounge designed by El Salvadoran Designers Harry...
Fabric
Jehs + Laub Pedestal Lounge Chair by Knoll
By Jehs & Laub, Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
The strikingly simple Jehs+Laub Lounge Chair combines a sleek profile with a sculptural interior, offering seating that is both refined and approachable. Its generous proportions and...
Aluminum
Luigi Caccia Dominioni Style Cylindrical Stool in Brass and Blue Velvet, Italy
By Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Naples, IT
Elegant Pouf Stool in Midnight Blue Velvet and Brass. Upholstered in soft, sumptuous midnight blue velvet, it features deep hues that shift depending on the ambient light, ensuring a...
Brass
Oscar Upholstered Chair Bouclé, Swivel and COM Option, Portugal, by Duistt
By Duistt
Located in Leça da Palmeira, PT
Oscar upholstered chair in bouclé with COM and swivel option available. Inspired by the poetic curves of Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture, the Oscar Chair is defined by its sensual, fl...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Fur, Leather, Fabric, Wool, Velvet, Foam
Stool Footrest Pouf Upholstered in Blue Bouclé, France, 1970s
Located in Madrid, ES
This vintage square pouf was originally crafted in France in the 1970s and embodies the understated charm of mid-century design. The piece is built on a solid wood structure and feat...
Bouclé, Wood
PK33 stool designed by Poul Khaerholm for Kold Christensen, Denmark
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
very important and rare PK33 stool designed by Poul Kjaerholm in red-brown leather. Manufactured by E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, ca 1960ies, with makers emblem. The designs of th...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Swivel Desk Chair by Andrew Morrison & Bruce Hannah for Knoll
By Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison
Located in Lafayette, IN
Arguably one of the most elegant desk chair designs from the mid-century era, this Morrison/Hannah design for Knoll Studios is utilitarian sculpture at its best. Chair features a cur...
Aluminum, Chrome
