A stunning living room set from the “Parallel Bar” series, designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, manufactured in the United States of America around 1960.
Made of the highest quality chrome plated metal with a beautiful beige fabric upholstery. The seats have a wonderful modern design that are very recognizable for the style of Knoll. Smooth, modern and very inviting! The armrests add to the wonderful seating comfort. This set will make a wonderful addition to any decor, adding style, class and comfort the the interior!
The sizes for the chair are W. 79 x D. 50 x H. 77 (SH. 41) cm
The sizes for the sofa are W. 158 x D. 48 x H. 75 (SH. 38) cm
The set remains in very good condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina.
Florence Knoll Bassett (born May 24, 1917) is an American architect and furniture designer who studied under Mies van der Rohe and Eliel Saarinen. She was born Florence Schust.
In 1938, Hans Knoll founded his furniture company by that name in New York. In 1943, Florence Schust convinced Hans she could help bring in business to his company even in America’s wartime economy by expanding into interior design by working with architects. With her architectural background and design flair, she succeeded. They married in 1946, she became a full business partner and together they founded Knoll Associates. A new furniture factory was established in Pennsylvania and dealers in Knoll’s furniture were carefully added over the next several years.
Florence Knoll felt architects should contribute their design ability to furniture as well. Some of these furniture designs would become design icons of the 20th century and have remained in the Knoll line for decades due to their timeless design. When Hans Knoll died in a car accident in 1955, Florence Knoll took over operation of the company. Florence Knoll herself designed chairs, sofas, tables and casegoods during the 1950s, many of which remain in the Knoll line to this day. In 1958 she married Harry Hood Bassett.
Her American interpretation of Minimalist, rationalist design theories is clearly evident in Knoll’s storage pieces. She mixed woods and metals to great effect and added laminates as they became popular. Dressers and desks are all square in design but never lack for quality. Hanging cabinets have glass shelves, sliding doors and drop down fronts that can be used as bars.
As an architect, Knoll’s most famous creations are the Connecticut General Life Insurance building in Bloomfield, Connecticut and the interior of the CBS Building in New York City.
In the 1950s Florence Knoll’s work was often displayed at the Museum of Modern Art’s “Good Design” exhibits. Although Knoll did a great deal of residential work, the International Style she worked in was especially successful in corporate offices.
Knoll’s vision for the new office was clean and uncluttered, and the corporate Boom of the 1960s provided the perfect opportunity for her to change the way people looked at work in their offices. Her open plan layouts created clean, uncluttered spaces a perfect venue for her furniture. Companies like H. J. Heinz, CBS, and Connecticut General Life Insurance all embraced this new way of organizing business space.
Knoll retired as Knoll president in 1960, but remained with the company as the director of design until 1965 when she retired completely.
