usually it’s the fashion world that offers up the crème de la crème of designer sample sales at this time of the year but for one day only, on saturday 19 november, knoll uk will hold its annual sample sale of iconic licensed original designs at their clerkenwell showroom, with reductions of up to 70% off retail prices – wow!
the knoll sample sale will offer iconic designs by some of the most highly regarded furniture designers, including harry bertoia, ludwig mies van der rohe, warren platner and barber osgerby, all at significantly reduced prices.
the saarinen pedestal collection, designed by eero saarinen, has long been a favourite of mine and you’ll find the dining table with arabescato marble top in the sale, reduced from £3,683 to £1,999, and the white laminate side table (which have in my own living room) down from £647 to £279 – what a steal!
the 1956 pedestal collection was conceived by saarinen in his desire to eliminate the “ugly, confusing, unrestful world” he observed underneath chairs and tables – the so-called “slum of legs.” taking 5 years to develop, he worked first with hundreds of drawings, followed by ¼ scale models, to establish a compelling design that was complemented the architecture of a room, without competing with it.
drawing on his early training as a sculptor, saarinen then refined his design through full-scale models, endlessly modifying the shape with clay. “what interests me is when and where to use these structural plastic shapes,” he explained. “probing even more deeply into different possibilities one finds many different shapes are equally logical—some ugly, some exciting, some earthbound, some soaring. the choices really become a sculptor’s choice.”
born to world famous architect eliel saarinen and textile artist loja saarinen, eero saarinen was surrounded by design his whole life. after studying sculpture in paris and architecture at yale, saarinen began to design for knoll in the 1940s and went on to design many of the brand’s most recognisable pieces, including the tulip chairs and tables, the womb chair, and the 70 series of seating.
i love the simple yet sweepingly elegant silhouette of the pedestal collection and am absolutely delighted to get my hands on such an iconic design piece, thanks to knoll. a true design classic is an investment piece that will stand the test of time and look inherently good wherever it is placed, so i know it will have a have a happy place in my home for many years to come.
there are many other wonderful design pieces you can pick up for a steal at the sample sale this weekend. which design classic are you hankering after for your home?
sample sale star buys
- barber osgerby compact armchair,
£6,283£999 - gaucho red leather barcelona chair,
£5,755£1,999 - white bertoia plastic chair,
£251£59 - cesca handwoven chair,
£1,056£299 - bronze platner side chair,
£3,005£899 - nickel platner side table,
£766£349 - arabescato marble saarinen dining table
£3,683£1,999 - white laminate saarinen side table,
£647£279 - arabescato marble saarinen side table,
£1,003£349 - tulip side chair (with red seat pad),
£1,307£549 - canvas wassily chair,
£1,333£399
knoll uk annual sample sale, 10am – 4pm, saturday 19th november, 91 goswell road, london ec1v 7ex
[icon name=”handshake-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] this post is in collaboration with knoll but all thoughts, photography and love of design classics are, as always, my own.
14 Responses
The colours of this room look so serene. Everything from the flooring to the accessories needs to needs to be thought of when designing a space. Thanks for sharing this inspiration.
What a cosy space. I’d like the white side table. Have a great day! x
Thanks Natasha! You too x
beautiful shots! and what great bargains for design classics!
I know, such amazing prices! Will all sell out in a matter of moments I’m sure..
That side table is EXACTLY what I have been looking to put in my living room. Not a bad price either.
Loving the inky blues of your room
Thanks Maxine – I’m all over inky blues at the moment!
Great post Kate. That table looks so nice against all that blue. Looks like it’s going to be a great sale. Shame it’s 200 miles away!
Thanks Karen! I’m hoping I’ll be able to pick up another bargain or two there tomorrow… x
woah! There are some massive discounts there!
Love the images too hun. Really peaceful x
Sample sales are a brilliant opportunity to buy top pieces at a fraction of the price – these all look gorgeous!
Wow. Looks like there are some great bargains to be had. Your new side table looks fab in your room. I’m really loving the blues.
Looks like some great bargains are to be had. Thanks for the heads up. x
I love the simple little side table, fantastic sample prices too!