Today marks Michigan-born design and furniture icon Florence Knoll‘s 100th birthday. While no longer designing, she carries an incredibly important place in American design history—thanks to her thoughtful creations that were functional but sleek and stylish. Her many designs—from tables and desks to chairs, sofas, benches and stools—are timeless; reflecting her architectural training and overall sense of style. We had a quick chat with Knoll‘s …
When Knoll was looking for a design partner to collaborate on a collection of furniture that suited modern work styles and environments “there was only one person to call, and that was David Rockwell,” says Benjamin Pardo, Knoll’s Creative Director. Two very different sensibilities that may at first not seem like the most obvious partnership leverage the design firm’s expertise in theater, play, co-working and …
The story behind Eero Saarinen’s classic 1948 Model 70 Womb design is simple: Florence Knoll wanted a chair that felt like “basket full of pillows.” While most might immediately think of fluffiness and volume, the Finnish-American furniture designer (and architect behind the architectural marvel that is the TWA Flight Terminal at JFK Airport) had a sleek and suggestive style. Saarinen created a shell shape that …
