FLORENCE KNOLL, 1960s executive desk

Florence Knoll (1917-2019) was an influential American designer known for her significant contributions to modern furniture and interior design. Born in Saginaw, Michigan, she was orphaned at the age of twelve and later attended Kingswood School for Girls in Detroit. There, she studied under Eliel Saarinen and became friends with future design luminaries such as Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia and Charles and Ray Eames. Knoll furthered her education under Bauhaus masters Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer and Mies van der Rohe. She worked for Mies van der Rohe in 1940, where she often handled project interiors, setting a new standard for corporate interior design by creating functional, efficient spaces. In 1941, she met Hans Knoll, who shared her passion for modernism. They married in 1946 and their company, Knoll Associates, became a leader in modern design.

They featured works by Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Mies van der Rohe and Florence Knoll herself. Her showrooms were known for their minimalist yet balanced designs, using floating color blocks, screens and foliage to create inviting spaces. Knoll's designs, including the Barcelona chairs and Womb chair, remain iconic. Knoll often elevated her furniture on slim legs, adding a sense of lightness. She used high-quality materials like granite, glass and marble to add visual interest. Her furniture's clean, minimalist look made it timeless and adaptable to any interior. Florence Knoll retired in 1965 but continued to influence the design world. Her designs, including lounge chairs, executive desks, credenzas, benches and tables, are still manufactured by Knoll today.