Pair of Florence Knoll Model 31 armchairs, Kvadrat fabric

Florence Knoll for Knoll International, pair of “Model 31” armchairs designed in 1954. Fully refurbished.

• H 73 CM X D 66 CM X W 63 CM.
• H sitting 43 CM.

Florence Knoll, model 31, American modernist design

Pair of “Model 31” armchairs designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International in 1954. This early edition, manufactured in Belgium under Knoll license in the late 1950s, perfectly illustrates the modernist approach developed by Florence Knoll during the post-war period, where furniture is conceived as a direct extension of interior architecture.

The model 31 is distinguished by its low proportions, rigorous geometric design, and generous comfort. The tubular steel structure, discreetly integrated under the padded volumes, contributes to this search for balance between architectural sobriety and functionality. Like many of Florence Knoll’s creations, these armchairs prioritize a clear reading of lines and volumes, without superfluous decorative effects.

The structures have been lightly sanded and repainted. The seats and backrests have received new foam pads to restore their original comfort. The set was then reupholstered in a Kvadrat Sisu fabric, whose dense texture and sober appearance dialogue naturally with the model’s modernist aesthetic.

Florence Knoll played a central role in the evolution of American furniture in the 1950s and 1960s. Trained under Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and close to the Cranbrook Academy of Art circle, she developed a global vision of interior design for Knoll, combining architecture, textiles, furniture, and lighting in a coherent and functional language.

With their compact volumes and deep seating, these armchairs maintain an elegant presence without weighing down the space. The new Kvadrat Sisu fabric highlights the model’s sober geometry while bringing a more contemporary texture to this set produced in the late 1950s.