Knoll Saarinen Side Chair

Overview

The Knoll Saarinen Side Chair stands as one of the most enduring achievements in modern furniture design, created by Eero Saarinen in 1948 as part of his visionary Pedestal Collection. Conceived to eliminate what Saarinen called the "slum of legs" beneath tables and chairs, the design replaces traditional four-legged construction with a single, sculptural pedestal base that rises gracefully into a curved shell seat. This chair remains in production through Knoll, maintaining the exact specifications and craftsmanship standards Saarinen originally established, making it a genuine icon rather than a mere reproduction of mid-century style.

Constructed with a molded fiberglass-reinforced shell seat, the chair offers a seamless, continuous form that cradles the body while presenting a visually weightless silhouette. The shell is available upholstered in a wide range of Knoll textiles and leathers, or left in its sculptural painted finish for a more minimalist aesthetic. The pedestal base is cast aluminum with a durable coated finish, engineered to support the shell securely while reinforcing the illusion of a single unbroken sweep from floor to seatback. Every proportion, from the taper of the base to the curvature of the shell, reflects Saarinen's sculptural sensibility and his training as both architect and furniture designer.

As a dining chair, the Saarinen Side Chair suits both residential and contract settings, pairing naturally with the matching Saarinen dining table or standing confidently alongside other furnishings in eclectic interiors. Its compact footprint and armless design make it ideal for tighter dining arrangements, while its sculptural presence ensures it reads as a design statement rather than a purely functional seat. Decades after its introduction, the chair continues to appear in homes, restaurants, and museum collections alike, a testament to Saarinen's success in creating furniture that feels simultaneously sculptural, functional, and timeless.

What stands out

1. 01Molded shell seat available in fiberglass-reinforced plastic or upholstered finish
2. 02Signature cast aluminum pedestal base with trumpet shape
3. 03Base finished in white, black, or platinum metallic coating
4. 04Designed by Eero Saarinen as part of the original Pedestal Collection
5. 05Optional seat pad available in a wide range of Knoll textiles and leathers
6. 06Non-marking nylon glides for hard floor protection

Specifications

Seat Height

18.5 inches (47 cm)

Overall Height

32.5 inches (82.5 cm)

Base Material

Cast aluminum with painted finish

Shell Material

Fiberglass-reinforced plastic

Weight Capacity

250 lbs (113 kg)

Pros & cons