Platner Table

The Platner Table was designed by Warren Platner in 1966 for Knoll as part of a complete furniture collection that also includes lounge chairs, dining chairs, and stools. The design consists of hundreds of curved, nickel-plated steel wire rods welded to circular frames, creating a sculptural base that Platner described as producing "a kind of decorative, gentle, graceful quality" that he felt was missing from modern furniture. Topped with beveled glass or marble, the resulting table resembles a captured sheaf of wheat or a frozen fountain. The Platner Table brought a sense of ornamental richness to modernist furniture without sacrificing clean lines or structural clarity. Its wire base captures and reflects light, creating a shimmering, almost jewelry-like presence in any room. While the full Platner dining table makes a dramatic centerpiece for formal spaces, the smaller side and coffee table versions are more commonly found in homes, adding a touch of glamour to living rooms and bedrooms. Knoll continues to produce the collection, and its popularity has surged in recent years as interest in warm, textured modernism has grown.