Modern Furniture

Modern Furniture by International Designers

Modern furniture collected by museums. In search of luxury modern furniture: the luxury of having style that holds its own in any setting combined with lavish comfort. Midcentury modern furniture has unmistakable style, but it is important to differentiate between authentic reproductions and the many imitations that are now available. Knoll manufactures each piece according to the original and exacting specifications of the designer. Available are the iconic pieces which brought Scandinavian modernism to the United States: Risom Lounge Chair by Danish-born Jens Risom (1916-), the first chair ever produced by Knoll (1941); and Womb Chair and Ottoman, and Tulip Chairs and Table by Finnish-born Eero Saarinen (1910 - 1961). These pieces not only have a sculptural beauty that enhances homes and business spaces alike, but also the comfort level that you associate with American "lounge." See also Modern Lighting

Arne Jacobsen Modern Furniture

Arne Jacobsen designed the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, as well as many of the furnishings. For its busy lobby, he created the biomorphic Egg (1958) and Swan, which are believed to be the first swiveling upholstered chairs. A tilt mechanism allows for relaxed lounging and the high back and curving elements are reminiscent of a traditional wing chair. Together they cocoon the sitter in a single-piece molded shell that appears to hover over the floor. Denmark. The Series 7 Chair debuted in 1955 at the H55 exhibition in Sweden, and the appeal of what remains one of the most copied chairs of the modern era is its shape. The chair is ideally suited to the human body, its seatback has a comfortable "give" and its waterfall seat edge doesn't press into legs. Once made by hand, production is now automated and led by a team who ensure the authentic Series 7 is perfect every time. Suitable for contract use. Stacks 6 high. Made in Denmark. Original design and licensed manufacture by Republic of Fritz Hansen


Egg Chair - Classic Leather	Egg Chair - Wool	Swan Chair - Classic Leather	Swan Chair - Wool

Eero Saarinen

Although Saarinen made his reputation in the United States following World War II, he had his roots in Europe. Until 1923, he lived in Finland with his father Eliel Saarinen an architect of the National Romantic movement. He called himself a "form giver" and everything he designed had a strong sculptural quality. Saarinen and Eames collaborated on various projects, culminating in a range of furniture that won first prize at an exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1940 entitled, "Organic Design in Home Furnishings." After 1946, however Eames went to work for Herman Miller; Saarinen became associated with Knoll Associates. A number of Saarinen’s chairs for Knoll were to become landmarks in the history of 20th century design.


Womb Chair - Classic Boucle	Womb Chair - Volo Leather	Womb Ottoman - Classic Boucle	Saarinen Side Table - Coated Marble


Saarinen Executive Chair Wood	Saarinen Executive Armchair Wood	Saarinen Executive Armchair Metal	Saarinen Low Oval Coffee Table Coated Marble

Eero Saarinen Dining Furniture

Eero Saarinen regarded the underside of furniture as "a confusing, unrestful world." With that in mind, the designer set out to craft chairs and tables that would resolve even their hidden elements. The result was his award-winning Pedestal Tables (1956) and Tulip Chairs, made with exquisite cast aluminum bases that were inspired by a drop of high-viscosity liquid.


Saarinen Tulip Armchair	Saarinen Tulip Armless Chair	Saarinen Tulip Stool


Saarinen Dining Table 78 in Oval - Coated Marble	Saarinen Dining Table 96 in Oval - Coated Marble

Mies van der Rohe Germany 1886-1969

Mies' daring design of furniture, pieces that exhibit an unerring sense of proportion, as well as minimalist forms and exquisitely refined details. In fact, his chairs have been called architecture in miniature exercises in structure and materials that achieve an extraordinary visual harmony as autonomous pieces or in relation to the interiors for which they were originally designed.


Brno Tubular Chair - Knoll	Barcelona Stool - Volo Leather	Barcelona Table	Barcelona Couch
One of the first cantilevered chair designs to be produced, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Brno Tubular Chair (1930) is the most elegant of its kind	Mies van der Rohe designed the chair to serve as seating for the king and queen of Spain, while the stool was intended to accommodate their attendants. Still produced to his original specifications, Barcelona is of quality fit for royalty.	The table is often paired with the Barcelona Chair for their stylistic parallels. Absolute in its elegance, this classic design continues to refresh contemporary environments.	Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Couch (1930) was added to his Barcelona Collection in the year following the introduction of the Chair and Stool. Still produced to his original specifications, the couch gained widespread popularity in 1953

Marcel Breuer

In the 1920s, Marcel Breuer began to experiment with tubular steel, creating some of the most influential furniture to come out of the Bauhaus. Breuer considered his designs essential for modern living.


Wassily Chair - Knoll	Laccio Table - Small	Laccio Table - Large
Believed to be the first bent tubular steel chair design, the Wassily Chair distills the traditional club chair to a series of strong, spare lines, executed with dynamic material counterpoint.	In the 1920s, Marcel Breuer began to experiment with tubular steel, creating some of the most influential furniture to come out of the Bauhaus.	Spurred by Breuers design of a low table to accompany the Wassily Chair, the very simple, very clever multipurpose Laccio nesting tables exhibit his rationalist aesthetic and accomplished technique.

More Modern Furniture


Bertoia Asymmetric Chaise with Seat Pad	Bertoia Side Chair	PK22 Easy Chair - Wicker	PK22 Easy Chair - Classic Leather
With his iconic seating collection, Harry Bertoia transformed industrial wire rods into a new furniture form.	Featuring a delicate filigreed appearance that's supremely strong, these airy seats are sculpted out of steel rods. In his art, Bertoia experimented with open forms and metal work, and these chairs were an extension of that work	Much of Poul Kjrholm's furniture was intended for his own home, located north of Copenhagen and designed by his wife, architect Hanne Kjrholm.	His PK22 Easy Chair (1956) was inspired by the light, elegant klismos chair created by the ancient Greeks.

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