Though vintage Warren Platner chairs, sofas and interiors are icons of mid-century modernism, the architect and furniture designer took his stylistic inspiration from as far back as 18th-century France, once saying about his seminal collection for Knoll that his design intent was to evoke “the kind of decorative, gentle, graceful kind of design that appeared in period style like Louis XV.”
Indeed, the marriage of modern sensibility and classical grace is a marker of Platner’s style across furnishings and interiors — both genres in which he left an enduring legacy.
Born in 1919 in Baltimore, Maryland, Platner studied architecture at Cornell before cutting his teeth working for design icons like Eero Saarinen and Kevin Roche, eventually serving as head of interior design in the latter’s office. In 1965, Platner opened his own office, in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he continued to hone his particular brand of graceful modernism.
Knoll released the Platner Collection of seating and tables in 1966. (Originally designed in 1962, the suite took nearly four years of development to bring to life.)
The decorative bent-metal-and-glass pieces — an armchair, a dining table and more — make certain nods to the trademarks of his former employers, but also to the shapes of historic European furniture. The sculptural elegance of his line recalls Saarinen’s iconic Tulip collection, which includes armchairs and dining tables, while his materiality aligns with Roche’s cutting-edge use of glass and metal for the headquarters of the Ford Foundation in New York.
Many of Platner’s Knoll pieces would go on to find homes in a certain fabled locale: the Windows on the World restaurant at the original World Trade Center, whose interiors Platner was tapped to outfit in the mid-1970s. Upon the opening of the restaurant in 1976, New York Times architecture critic Paul Goldberger dubbed its style “sensuous modernism” — an apt tagline for Platner’s oeuvre as a whole.
Platner died in 2006 at the age of 86. His furniture is still produced by Knoll, and original examples — along with idiosyncratic custom works he created for interior design clients — are coveted by collectors today.
Find vintage Warren Platner furniture on 1stDibs.
Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Mid Century Rosewood, Stainless Steel Credenza
By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Mid Century Rosewood and Stainless Steel Credenza This credenza measures: 91.75 wide x 21.75 deep x 28.25 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Cre...
Stainless Steel
$34,100Sale Price|24% Off
Warren Platner Rosewood, Brass and Granite Credenza for Lehigh Leopold, c. 1970
By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptionally rare and highly sought-after collectors piece is a Warren Platner Executive Credenza designed for Lehigh Leopold in circa 1970, and features a floating Rosewood up...
Granite, Brass
1979 Warren Platner Executive Credenza in Oak, Leather, and Chromed Steel
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Large Executive Credenza in Oak, Leather, and Chromed Steel, initially designed by Warren Platner for Knoll International in 1973. This particular unit was produced in 1979...
Steel, Chrome
Mnemosyne Credenza in Blackened Steel, Brass, and Walnut
By Loran Bohall
Located in Indianapolis, IN
The Mnemosyne credenza is made to be a low, elegent storage piece that has two soft close doors and two soft close drawers. Made to be used as sideboard or a bench. Its outer case is...
Brass, Steel
Bertu Credenza, Suelo Modern Oak Credenza, Oak, Light Walnut
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Oak Suelo® Credenza is made in the heart of Ohio with locally sourced wood. Each credenza is handmade with solid oak and finished with a beautiful commercial grade lig...
Oak
Pia Manu Brutalist Mid Century Steel, Chrome and Glass Credenza
By Pia Manu
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Pia Manu Brutalist Mid Century Steel, Chrome and Glass Credenza This credenza measures: 79.5 wide x 19 deep x 36 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition. We take our photos in a c...
Steel, Chrome
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Credenza
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Denton, TX
Classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar mahogany credenza with solid brass hardware. Nine drawers with center cabinet.
Brass
Bertu Credenza, Baron Modern Oak Credenza, Black
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Credenza, Baron Modern Oak Credenza, Black This Modern Oak Credenza - The Baron is made in the heart of Ohio with locally sourced wood. Each unit is ...
Oak
$4,250
H 29 in W 72 in D 19.5 in
Warren Platner Style Walnut and Polished Aluminum Space Age Credenza Ca. 1970s
By Lehigh Leopold, Warren Platner
Located in Peabody, MA
A walnut and polished aluminum credenza in the manner of Warren Platner for Lehigh-Leopold, ca. 1970. It features a bullnosed top with a banding of wire work inlay, atop a mirrorllik...
Aluminum
$4,187
H 33.47 in W 72.45 in D 18.9 in
Luxury Walnut Brass Credenza by William Watting for Fristho Modernart Denmark
By Fristho, William Watting
Located in Voorburg, NL
Stunning Walnut sideboard designed by William Watting and produced by Fristho Modernart Denmark in 1955. This piece was part of the 'Modern Art' collection and brought a Scandinavian...
Brass
Harvey Probber Rosewood and Ebonized Mahogany Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Denton, TX
Harvey Probber rosewood and ebonized mahogany twelve-drawer dresser recently restored.
Mahogany, Rosewood
Rosewood Tambour Door Credenza by Dyrlund
By Dyrlund
Located in Denton, TX
Rare Danish modern rosewood tambour door credenza with center dovetailed drawer section and adjustable shelf on each side.
Mahogany, Oak, Rosewood
$23,595
H 29.75 in W 95.75 in D 39.5 in
Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Mid Century Rosewood and Chrome Executive Desk
By Lehigh Leopold, Warren Platner
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Mid Century Rosewood and Chrome Executive Desk This desk measures: 95.75 wide x 39.5 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair clearance of 27.5 inches Good...
Chrome
$22,000
H 27.5 in W 75.25 in D 16 in
Jorge Zalszupin Rosewood Mid-Century Credenza for L'Atelier, Brazil, 1960s
By L'Atelier San Paulo, Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This iconic stunning rosewood credenza from the Componivel series was designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) and manufactured by his own company, L'Atelier, in the 1960s. It's inst...
Rosewood
$6,800
H 32 in W 78 in D 20 in
Vintage Elm Burl and Brass Greek Key Credenza by William Doezema for Mastercraft
By William Doezema, Mastercraft, Charak Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Luxurious plinth-base credenza / sideboard in burled Carpathian elm wood with inlaid brass details and highly stylized Greek Key brass hardware designed by William Doezema for Master...
Brass
Italian Colored Glass and Brass Sideboard or Credenza
Located in London, London
Colored glass sideboard Brass base and details Postmodern mix of colors Contemporary, Italy.
Brass
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Credenza
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Rosewood Credenza with removable hutch. Partly solid and veneered. Hutch is removable and has two glass sliding doors. Bottom credenza has four sliding doors, 4 drawers and...
Metal, Chrome
Harvey Probber Executive Credenza
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hanover, MA
Harvey Probber executive credenza with four drawers, one file drawer and two open cabinets in solid walnut with mahogany edges and legs. Finished o...
Walnut, Mahogany
Warren Platner for Knoll Sideboard in Original Leather
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, sideboard, chrome, oak, leather, United States, after 1973 This sideboard is designed by American modernist Warren Platner. He is most known for his airy...
Leather, Wood
Warren Platner Executive Lowboard in Original Leather for Knoll
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner, executive sideboard for Knoll, United States, 1973. This heavy, sturdy credenza is designed by the American modernist Warren Platner. He is most known for his airy...
Steel
Warren Platner for Knoll Executive Credenza in Leather & Cherry
By Warren Platner
Located in Oakville, CA
Design care of Warren Platner. Vintage, 1973. Original leather surface and leather wrapped modular cabinets/drawers. Otherwise constructed of cherry wood, steel and chrome. 6 cabinet...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.5 in W 77 in D 24 in
1965 Massive Executive Leather Sideboard Credenza by Warren Platner for Knoll
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration: 1965 massive peather sideboard credenza vintage Warren Platner for Knoll International Platner Executive Collection 1960s. Iconic design mid century madness...
Chrome
Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold Cabinet
By Warren Platner, Lehigh Leopold
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is a handsome cabinet by famed designer Warren Platner for Lehigh Leopold. This bold piece sits atop a mirror finish chromed steel base and a black marble top...
Wood