I know I said we had a lot going on this weekend, but just had to post up these great Knoll office chairs we found that I believe are designed by Eero Saarinen. We had a few minutes to stop by the local Salvation Army. I rarely find anything there, so my jaw just about dropped off when I saw the pair of these sitting there. Even better, it was 50% off day!
They have the original Knoll tags, and the date stamp on that is from 1971. We’re very curious about this line, especially since we’re not as familiar with Knoll stuff. The chairs do not have the open “hole” in the back that we see on most similar chairs (series 71-72?) Anyone know more about this particular line? I believe they must be less common than the standard ones, because we haven’t been able to find many like these online.
June 25th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
I’ve read that the knoll executive armchair also came in a closed back version like the one that you found. It’s just harder to find. I’m not an expert though. In any case those are fantastic, especially the color!
June 25th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
wow! major score. congrats! will you keep the original upholstery or have it changed?
June 25th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
wow!!!! They look in amazing condition! Wow again !!!!
June 25th, 2011 at 11:41 pm
Wow, what an amazing find. It would be great if they are Saarinen but if not they are beautiful and vibrant nonetheless. Looks like they would be great in the new digs. =)
June 26th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
How lucky you are to have found these amazing chairs. Are you keeping them – it does seem a bit like the thrifting gods are smiling on you and blessing you with a gift for your new home.
June 26th, 2011 at 10:51 pm
The chairs are Fantastic!!! Congrats!
Cheers ~ Lara
June 27th, 2011 at 8:36 am
I don’t know anything about the lovely chairs you found, but I do know that Knoll continues to produce office furniture. My office area is completely outfitted in beautiful Knoll wooden products.
June 27th, 2011 at 8:50 am
What a beautiful pair of chairs. And they look to be in excellent condition. I hope you keep them. They are so cool. I’m your newest follower and I hope you stop by Cottage and Creek and say ‘hi’. Have a lovely day. Celebrating with you over your awesome chairs!!
~Lynn
June 27th, 2011 at 10:47 am
*heel click* THOSE chairs are aMAZing! Can’t help you with the style…but they are super cool. good luck with finding out more.
June 27th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Hm, just tried to comment and was sent to a 404 page? Sorry if this is a double post. I complimented these beautiful blue chairs and expressed envy at the mod homing device you must have hidden away somewhere to find these goodies
June 27th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Gasp! Swoon…That color is to die for.
June 27th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
You have GOT to be kidding me. I had one of these but thought it looked to “office” and I gave it away. UGH!
June 27th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Wow, these chairs wouldn’t have lasted 5 minutes in a Chicago thrift store… especially if it was half off day!!! Or they would have been ridiculously overpriced as some of our thrifts mark up anything ‘vintage’ or ‘designer’ now.
Great score, I love the cobalt color. Will you be keeping them?
June 27th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
@vintage scapes – thanks for the tip… sounds very likely, we’re going to need to research them a little more =)
@drew – I think we may keep it original blue, cause we have a few other matching items.
@max, @sixballoons, @lara – thanks, we love them too!
@jane – It’s funny… I had JUST donated a modern office chair to the salvation army, about two weeks ago. I almost kept it, because it had cost so much and was still in good condition. But I decided someone else could use it more… so I was thinking, maybe this is “thrift karma” coming back. Funny how that seems to happen!
@tammy – I knew that Knoll still produced, which is why I thought these were new chairs at first. Especially since they were in decent condition… so I was surprised that the tag said 1971!
@lynn, @leah moxiethrift – thanks!
@van – oops,sorry, I hate that 404 that comes up. It has something to do with the site caching that wordpress does. I sometimes get it when trying to write posts, or pretty much access any part of the site. No idea why or how it happens, though I know it’s very common! Dang, I don’t have one of those Mod Homing Devices, but I’d like one hehe…
@monogirl – this blue color seems to find us for some reason, very frequently!
@amanda – no way! what color was yours, and when did you give it away? You know, maybe 10 years ago I might’ve done the same… especially if trying to make room
@leilani – we’re definitely keeping them! I hear you on the thrift mark-up. Actually, the LA area is pretty difficult usually. The hipsters, dealers, and collectors descend on this stuff. And the thrifts have caught on… I’ve seen tags at the Salvation army on furniture that say “Mid Century Modern Table” – geez! That’s why I was so surprised they were still there. But I’m almost certain they had just taken them out. We definitely don’t find this kind of thing every time we go…
June 29th, 2011 at 8:26 am
unbelievable find! our salvation army seems very vintage savvy, so nada nada nada…lucky you!!
June 30th, 2011 at 7:51 am
These would look great in a black and white pattern. Great Find!