Knoll at Couch Potato Company

Iconic designer furniture. We only sell Authorised Originals.
Knoll was founded in 1938 by Hans G. Knoll, a German immigrant to the U.S., and son of one of Germany’s pioneer manufacturers of modern furniture. During World War II, Hans Knoll hired a young space planner and designer named Florence Schust. Florence came to Knoll a degree from the Cranbrook Academy in Michigan and a degree in architecture from the Architectural Association in London. She had also studied with Mies van der Rohe. Hans and Florence were married in 1946, and they formed Knoll Associates. Florence played a critical role in the development and direction of the company. Together, Hans and Florence Knoll searched for and nurtured talented designers; they believed strongly that designers should be credited by name and paid royalties for their work, a tradition which continues at Knoll today.

The Knoll mantra is “no compromise ever.” This is a very appropriate strapline for a furniture collection which is typified by exacting, precise designs, many of which have become modern classics. Take, for example, the Barcelona chair by Mies van Der Rohe, one of the most copied chairs in the world. A design dedicated to the Spanish Royalty, in honour of the 1929 official opening of the German Pavilion at the Barcelona International Exhibition. But none of the copies come close in terms of attention to detail or quality of workmanship; the cushions are upholstered with 40 individual panels cut, hand-welted and hand-tufted from a single hide. Although the Barcelona chair design pre-dates the formation of Knoll, Mies Van Der Rohe awarded manufacturing and sales rights to Knoll in 1953, helped of course by the fact that Florence Knoll already knew him, having studied for one of her degrees with Van Der Rohe.

Then you have the strong, clean lines of Florence Knoll’s designs. Her sofas and armchairs are incredibly elegant, truly a sofa for life if if there was one, both in terms of an enduring design and skilful craftmanship which will last for generations.

In contrast to Florence Knoll’s straight, clean lines, you have the curvaceous, sculptural designs of Harry Bertoia and Eero Saarinen. Take for example the Saarinen Tulip table, or Bertoia ‘s Diamond chair – they book great from every angle.

Knoll boasts some of the world’s greatest furniture designs amongst its collection. Recognised worldwide as a design leader, Knoll is the recipient of hundreds of design awards, with products represented in major art museums around the world. They have more than 30 products included in the Design Collection of The Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Shop online today for the entire Knoll Studio Collection at Couch Potato Company

The Knoll collection includes timeless statement pieces such as the Barcelona Chair and stool by Mies van Der Rohe and the Florence Knoll Sofa, as well as strking new designs which are sure to become classics of the future, such as the Generation office chair by Formway or the the Jehs+Laub Lounge Chair and Ottoman. Our particular favourites include the Saarinen collection of dining, side and coffee tables, all with a single, pedestal base and low profile top, providing an elegant, timeless design. We also love the Wassily chair with its simple skeletal frame and stretched cowhide slings forming the seat back and arm rests. Such a simple yet effective design. Another favourite is the Barcelona Day Bed by Mies Van Der Rohe, designed as part of a scheme for “a Bachelor’s apartment”. It is an extremely versatile piece, working well as a day bed to lounge on, a bench, or spare seating.

We pride ourselves on our knowledge of the Knoll collection, having visited the factory and the Company’s headquarters and having been stockists for the Knoll collection for since 2004. Shop online today and take a look at our world famous Knoll furniture collection.