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Florence Knoll Living Room Sets

American, 1917-2019

Architect, furniture designer, interior designer, entrepreneur — Florence Knoll had a subtle but profound influence on the course of mid-century American modernism. Dedicated to functionality and organization, and never flamboyant, Knoll shaped the ethos of the postwar business world with her skillfully realized office plans and polished, efficient designs for sofas, credenzas, desks and other furnishings.

Knoll had perhaps the most thorough design education of any of her peers. Florence Schust was orphaned at age 12, and her guardian sent her to Kingswood, a girl’s boarding school that is part of the Cranbrook Educational Community in suburban Detroit. Her interest in design brought her to the attention of Eliel Saarinen, the Finnish architect and head of the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Saarinen and his wife took the talented child under their wing, and she became close to their son, the future architect Eero Saarinen. While a student at the academy, Florence befriended artist-designer Harry Bertoia and Charles and Ray Eames. Later, she studied under three of the Bauhaus masters who emigrated to the United States. She worked as an apprentice in the Boston architectural offices of Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer; Ludwig Mies van der Rohe taught her at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

In 1941, she met Hans Knoll, whose eponymous furniture company was just getting off the ground. They married in 1946, and her design sense and his business skills soon made Knoll Inc. a leading firm in its field. Florence signed up the younger Saarinen as a designer, and would develop pieces by Bertoia, Mies and the artist Isamu Noguchi.

Florence Knoll's main work came as head of the Knoll Planning Group, designing custom office interiors for clients such as IBM and CBS. The furniture she created for these spaces reflects her Bauhaus training: the pieces are pure functional design, exactingly built; their only ornament from the materials, such as wood and marble. Her innovations — the oval conference table, for example, conceived as a way to ensure clear sightlines among all seated at a meeting — were always in the service of practicality.

Since her retirement in 1965, Knoll received the National Medal of Arts, among other awards; in 2004 the Philadelphia Museum of Art mounted the exhibition “Florence Knoll: Defining Modern” — well deserved accolades for a strong, successful design and business pioneer. As demonstrated on these pages, the simplicity of Knoll’s furniture is her work’s great virtue: they fit into any interior design scheme.

Find vintage Florence Knoll sofas, benches, armchairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Florence Knoll
Parallel Bar Armchairs & Sofa by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll
Located in Izegem, VWV
The Model 51, beter known as the Parallel Bar series with a brushed chrome and black finish steel frame were designed by Florence Knoll in 1955 for Knoll International. This set, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Living Room Sets

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Living Room Set by Florence Knoll, USA, 1960
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A stunning living room set from the “Parallel Bar” series, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, manufactured in the United States of America, circa 1960. Made of th...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Living Room Sets

Materials

Metal

Early Florence Knoll Armless Sofa and Chair Set
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an early and rare Knoll sofa and chair set. This sets one and only home was non-other then a Richard Nuetra estate in the Hollywood Hills. N...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Living Room Sets

Materials

Stainless Steel

Florence Knoll Sofa Set
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
an early and hard to find sofaset . complete restored to perfect condition !
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Living Room Sets

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Living Room Sets Gae Aulenti for Knoll 1970s Black Grey Italian Style
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Early Florence Knoll 3-Seat Model 26 Sofa
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
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Very early Florence Knoll sofa, circa late 1940s, in vintage oatmeal nubby wool Knoll fabric, with down seat and back cushions. The six inset legs make...
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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.
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Florence Knoll Black Leather Sofa
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H 32 in W 90 in D 35 in
Italian Bamboo Living Room Set French Bouclé Fabric Early 1960s
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful bamboo living room set, including a sofa, two armchairs and a stool, are from the mid-century modern French Riviera era, and are burs...
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1960s Rare Living Room Oak Set, Finland
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered In quality 100% recycled KIRGBY fabric. - Wooden parts have been carefully refurbished. - The dimesnions of the chairs : height 75cm, seat height 44cm, width: ...
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1960s Rare Living Room Oak Set, Finland
1960s Rare Living Room Oak Set, Finland
H 29.53 in W 75.6 in D 35.44 in
Florence Knoll, "Parallel Bar" Lounge Chair, circa 1965
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Paris, FR
"Parallel Bar" easy chair designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll International, circa 1965. Newly re-upholstered with a dark blue velvet from the Kvadrat Raf Simons collec...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Living Room Sets

Materials

Steel, Metal

Florence Knoll for Knoll Parallel Bar Side Chair
By Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Florence Knoll for Knoll modern side chair with button tufted details, raised on metal legs. 29.75” H x 24” W x 30” D x Seat 15" H.
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Florence Knoll Bench
By Florence Knoll
Located in Miami, FL
Very long Florence Knoll bench designed for Knoll, brown upholstery and chrome base, 8 legs, unusual size.
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Florence Knoll Bench
Florence Knoll Bench
H 17 in W 18.5 in D 109 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.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Florence Knoll Living Room Sets

Materials

Fabric

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.
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Robert Venturi Grandma Sofa in the Original Tan / Taupe Leather for Knoll.
By Knoll, Robert Venturi
Located in Kansas City, MO
A single Robert Venturi matching leather Grandma Sofa manufactured by Knoll, 1980s. Very good original condition. No tears or scuffs to the leather. Light signs of use. Minimal hone...
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Previously Available Items
Set of Four Knoll Chairs
By Florence Knoll, Knoll, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of four Knoll handkerchief chairs, designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli are in great condition. These chairs are all are fully marked and in fine original condition and fe...
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Set of Four Knoll Chairs
Set of Four Knoll Chairs
H 29 in W 23.5 in D 21.25 in
Wonderful No.26 3-4 seater sofa by Florence Knoll / like new!
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
modern after all this years.... a matching set of 2 lounge chairs also available! Reupholstered. Foam, webbing and fabric new!!
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Wonderful Set of No.25 Lounge Chairs by Florence Knoll / Like New
By Florence Knoll
Located in Munich, DE
Modern after all this years....
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Velvet

1st Generation Florence Knoll Model #578 Sofa by Knoll Associates, 1950s, Signed
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare example of the Florence Knoll Model #578 Sofa, designed in 1954, has a built-in attached magazine / book side table and is signed with the original early generation Knoll A...
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Florence Knoll for Knoll Sofa and Matching Lounge Chairs Living Room Set in Red
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Located in Philadelphia, PA
A matching 3 piece living room suite designed by Florence Knoll and produced by Knoll. The set consists of one 3-seat sofa and two matching club chairs. All done in original red twee...
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Pair of Florence Knoll Armless Sofas, Walnut Frames and Original Green Fabric
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Located in Kansas City, MO
Early set of 2 Florence Knoll armless sofas. These are in original condition and usable as is. No stains or tears to the fabric, however, w...
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Florence Knoll Three-Seat Sofa Walnut Frame Restored, New Blue Upholstery
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Located in Kansas City, MO
Classic florence Knoll tufted back sofa with the highly desirable walnut frame. Beautiful light blue color expertly restored and reupholstered. Excellent ...
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Florence Knoll Sofa, Chrome Frame with New Light Gray Maharam Fabric, Excellent
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Florence Knoll sofa for Knoll Associates. This is the original 1960s production that has been expertly restored and reupholstered in Maharam remix light to medium gray fabric. Beauti...
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Midcentury Florence Knoll Armless Sofas, a Pair
By Florence Knoll
Located in New York, NY
These two sofas were designed by Florence Knoll in the 1950s. They are a three-seater and are armless, providing open space and easy access on three sides. While the base is the orig...
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Florence Knoll Sofa Model 67A, Knoll 1958
By Florence Knoll
Located in Utrecht, NL
Sofa model 67A was designed in 1958 by American designer Florence Knoll and discontinued from production in 1975 and has not been made ever since. This example is one of the last exa...
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Florence Knoll Sofa Model 67A, Knoll 1958
Florence Knoll Sofa Model 67A, Knoll 1958
H 31.5 in W 89.77 in D 30.71 in
Florence Knoll Early Sofa
By Florence Knoll
Located in Westport, CT
Florence Knoll sofa, all interior rebuilt, new foam, in weaved off-white fabric. Matching club chairs, separate listing.
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Living Room Sets

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Metal

Florence Knoll Early Sofa
Florence Knoll Early Sofa
H 31 in W 90 in D 31 in
Pair of Florence Knoll Club Chairs
By Florence Knoll
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of early Florence Knoll Club chairs, off-white weaves fabric, all restored interior and foam. Also available matching sofa in separate listing.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll Living Room Sets

Materials

Metal

Pair of Florence Knoll Club Chairs
Pair of Florence Knoll Club Chairs
H 30 in W 31 in D 30 in

Florence Knoll living room sets for sale on 1stDibs.

Florence Knoll living room sets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Florence Knoll living room sets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original living room sets by Florence Knoll were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider living room sets by Herman Miller, Knoll, and Vladimir Kagan. Prices for Florence Knoll living room sets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,337 and can go as high as $13,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $8,366.
Questions About Florence Knoll Living Room Sets
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Florence Knoll was an architect and furniture designer who greatly influenced mid-century design. She established the furniture company Knoll, Inc., which continues to manufacture pieces inspired by her designs. Knoll died on January 25, 2019, at the age of 101. Find a collection of Florence Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To pronounce Florence Knoll, say "FLO-rens Noll." The "K" in the designer's last name is silent. Florence Knoll's maiden name was Florence Marguerite Schust, pronounced "shusht." She changed her name after marrying Hans Knoll in 1946. Find a range of Florence Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Florence Knoll lived in the U.S. throughout her life. She was born in Saginaw, Michigan, on May 24, 1917, and she died in Coral Gables, Florida, on January 25, 2019. From 1940 to 1941, she attended the Chicago Armour Institute in Chicago, Illinois. After that, she lived and worked in New York City for many years. On 1stDibs, find a range of Florence Knoll furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Florence Knoll made a number of well-known furniture designs and founded the company Knoll, Inc. Some of her most acclaimed pieces include the Florence Knoll lounge chair, the Florence Knoll sofa, the Florence Knoll bench and the Florence Knoll settee. Shop a variety of Florence Knoll furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    What Florence Knoll called the Womb chair after it was created is unknown. However, its creator Eero Saarinen stated that Knoll inspired him to make the piece by asking him to design the most comfortable chair ever, saying specifically that she wanted something that felt like "a basket full of pillows." Presented with the challenge, Saarinen went primal. What, the designer figured, better signifies the very essence of comfort than the womb? "It was designed on the theory that a great number of people have never really felt comfortable and secure since they left the womb,” the designer said of his chair. Find a selection of vintage Womb chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    No, Florence Knoll didn't usually put a number on her pieces. To identify Florence Knoll furniture, look for a tag or mark that bears the name "Knoll" or "Knoll, Inc." On chairs, the labels are usually on the bottom cushion. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted Florence Knoll furniture.

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