Florence Knoll
Florence Knoll humbly referred to her furniture designs as "meat and potatoes" - filler between the standout pieces of Bertoia, Miles, and Saarinen. 65 years later her furniture is anything but filler.
Florence Knoll
One of the most influential architects and designers of the modern era, Florence Knoll shaped more than five decades of interior design and redefined what the modern office could be. She modestly described her furniture as “meat and potatoes,” supporting pieces meant to complement the bold work of Bertoia, Mies, and Saarinen. Yet 65 years later, her designs are anything but background. With precise attention to detail, a refined sense of proportion, and a disciplined modern aesthetic, she created some of the most enduring and celebrated furniture of our time.
A Legacy That Shaped Modern Design
Florence is famous for her philosophy of “total design,” and as the director of the Knoll Planning Unit she revolutionized interior space planning. Her approach of embracing everything about a space – architecture, interior design, graphics, textiles and manufacturing – was not the standard practice in space planning, but it caught on and continues to be the standard today. Florence was also a furniture designer, as well as a great eye for talent. It was under her leadership that many of the modern masters created collections for Knoll. These legacies include Eero Saarinen’s Tulip™ chairs and pedestal tables, and Harry Bertoia’s wire furniture.
The Collection
The Florence Knoll Collection represents the foundation of modern workplace design. Spanning lounge seating, sofas and settees, executive and table desks, dining and occasional tables, benches, vertical storage, and iconic pieces like the Model 31 Lounge Chair and Hairpin™ Stacking Table, the collection reflects her disciplined, architectural approach to furniture.
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