Knoll museum.

Friends find pair of chair frames ( turns out to be hardoy ) for their patio and cover with canvas. Revelation inspires this post.

Looking back, going to the Knoll showroom in early 70s prior to Neocon looking for floor samples – this company always inspirational.

Above: hardoy chair
Designer: Ferrari-Hardoy, Jorge

Date of Design: 1938
Date of Manufacture: 1947-1973
Model Number: 198
Materials: Steel rods, leather sling




above: tulip chair
Designer: Saarinen, Eero

Date of Design: 1955
Date of Manufacture: 1956-1996
Model Number: 151C
Materials: Base consists of cast aluminum, and nylon ring glide. The shell is molded fiber glass reinforced plastic. Upholstery inside of shell over a foam rubber cushion.

Saarinen’s pedestal furniture was designed between 1955 and 1957 as a part of his “one piece, one material” furniture philosophy. He attempted also to minimize the clutter of feet that most furniture creates. Saarinen’s original intention to become a sculptor is evident in his use of non-rectilinear forms and constant striving for innovative solutions to age old questions.

above: metal chair 132
Designer: Knorr, Donald R.

Date of Design: 1948
Date of Manufacture: 1950-1952
Model Number: 132 (black)
Materials: Steel tube base, sheet metal seat pan, bent rod steel legs

Donald Knorr designed this chair as an entry for MoMA’s 1950 competition for low cost furniture. It was crowned co-winner in the seating category.




above: womb settee 73
Designer: Saarinen, Eero

Date of Design: 1950-78
Model Number: 73
Materials: Steel rod base with polished chrome; upholstered shell, seat and back cushions

“Eero Saarinen’s 1950 Womb Settee, part of his Womb series made exclusively for Knoll, displays the Finnish-born designer’s flair for challenging rules, breaking molds and setting new standards for modern design.”

source: knoll museum