Here at Modern Underground we are starting a new monthly blog to feature some of the designers we have in the shop! And since March is women’s history month what better way to start this new tradition than with Florence Knoll!
Born in Michigan in 1917 and orphaned at the age of 12 Florence began her education in design when she was enrolled at the Kingswood School for Girls, an adjacent to the Cranbrook Academy of Art (a school which produced many prolific American modernist designers). After finishing her studies with the Architectural Association of London she began training with well-known designer Mies van der Rohe, whom she would later employ at Knoll Associates as a designer. When Florence moved to New York in 1941 she met her future husband Hans Knoll; together they grew his budding furniture business into an international design house, Knoll Associates. She became a forerunner in modern corporate furnishings working in offices for CBS, Rockefeller, IBM and more! Her designs are known best for mixing multiple materials and functions into one piece.
Born in Michigan in 1917 and orphaned at the age of 12 Florence began her education in design when she was enrolled at the Kingswood School for Girls, an adjacent to the Cranbrook Academy of Art (a school which produced many prolific American modernist designers). After finishing her studies with the Architectural Association of London she began training with well-known designer Mies van der Rohe, whom she would later employ at Knoll Associates as a designer. When Florence moved to New York in 1941 she met her future husband Hans Knoll; together they grew his budding furniture business into an international design house, Knoll Associates. She became a forerunner in modern corporate furnishings working in offices for CBS, Rockefeller, IBM and more! Her designs are known best for mixing multiple materials and functions into one piece.
Florence and Cartree, Knoll Design via their Pinterest
Over the years we've found a few of Florence’s designs! Our current favorite is a walnut credenza with a chrome base. The leather door pulls add a touch of elegance that is often seen in her office furnishings. This is a great example how she often used multiple mediums for one piece of furniture, here melding wood, chrome, and leather into a masterfully crafted credenza. We found this piece in the Finger Lakes region of New York, an area often known for its wine. It happens to also be a great area to search for beautiful vintage furniture! We discovered this gem hidden in the corner of an old garage.
Step underground to see what other great Knoll pieces we have!
Resources
"Florence Knoll." Knoll. Web. Mar. 2015. <http://www.knoll.com/designer/Florence-Knoll>.
Greenberg, Cara. Mid-century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s. New York: Harmony, 1995. Print.
Quinn, Bradley. Mid-century Modern: Interiors, Furniture, Design Details. London: Conran Octopus, 2004. Print.
Greenberg, Cara. Mid-century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s. New York: Harmony, 1995. Print.
Quinn, Bradley. Mid-century Modern: Interiors, Furniture, Design Details. London: Conran Octopus, 2004. Print.
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