Walter Knoll

Inspired by Nature & The Art of Minimalism

Walter Knoll sees design as a way of creating spaces where people feel at ease and enjoy spending time. The focus is not only on function and design but also on the effect materials, colours and forms have on the atmosphere of a room. High-quality fabrics, leathers and woods are carefully selected and crafted. The company finds its inspiration above all in nature, whose colours, structures and forms flow into the designs time and again. The result is furniture that radiates calm, naturalness and a special sense of quality.

At the same time, Walter Knoll places great value on clear, timeless design. The furniture is meant not merely to follow current trends but to endure for many years and retain its value. Quality, longevity and careful craftsmanship play a central role. The aim is to create furniture that not only looks convincing but also appeals to the senses and contributes to a pleasant environment. In this way, Walter Knoll combines aesthetics, naturalness and permanence into a holistic understanding of living and working.

The BAO collection by Walter Knoll

Bao by Walter Knoll combines sculptural design with exceptional seating comfort. The soft, organic curves and flowing lines give the lounge chair an inviting yet characterful presence. Designed by EOOS, Bao blends harmoniously into the most varied room concepts while setting a stylish accent. The generous shape conveys a sense of security and invites relaxed lingering. Particularly characteristic is the striking patchwork-look back, which gives the chair an individual, modern note. Depending on the version, Bao can be upholstered in high-quality fabrics, leather or a combination of both materials. Alongside the classic Bao Armchair, the more compact Bao Armchair Small offers the same distinctive design language in a more space-saving format. The design thus suits generous living areas as well as smaller rooms, lounges, hotels or prestigious reception areas. Bao unites comfort, high-quality materials and an expressive form into a piece of furniture that not only invites you to sit but lends a room personality and warmth.

Legends of Carpets – craftsmanship inspired by Africa

The Legends of Carpets rug collection is inspired by the archaic beauty of Africa. Its motifs draw on the continent's landscapes, colours and special moods of light, translating these impressions into unique carpet images. The idea arose from the travels of Markus Benz (pictured below left), family entrepreneur and CEO of Walter Knoll, who captured his impressions in photographs. These inspirations were developed further together with artist and textile designer Helmut Scheufele. A joint journey to Marrakesh formed the starting point for Legends of Carpets. Back in the studio, Helmut Scheufele first translated the impressions into abstract images. From these, the carpet designs emerged step by step. In manufactories in the Himalayas, the rugs are then dyed and knotted by hand according to centuries-old traditions. Wool, silk and yarn are carefully prepared and worked in elaborate handcraft over several months. In this way, an artistic idea gradually becomes a unique, hand-knotted work of art. Only natural materials are used. The high-quality Tibetan highland wool is worked by hand, while fine Chinese silk provides lustre and special reflections of light. Hand-spun nettle fibres additionally lend the rugs structure and strength.

Craftsmanship meets the finest material quality

At Walter Knoll, the finest materials meet excellent workmanship and masterful craftsmanship. For more than a hundred years, leather, fabric and wood have formed the foundation of the aesthetic. The natural beauty of the materials takes centre stage: their original character is preserved and brought into a special form through careful crafting.

High-quality leathers, fabrics, woods, stones and other surfaces are selected for the furniture. Leather has been worked at Walter Knoll for more than 150 years and is examined in an elaborate selection process. Fabrics made of natural materials such as linen, cotton, silk and virgin wool, as well as fine solid woods and veneers, also shape Walter Knoll's world of materials. The special quality shows not only in the choice of materials but also in how they are worked. Through skilled craftsmanship, precise work and a respectful approach to the natural properties of each material, furniture emerges with a distinctive feel, longevity and character. In this way, Walter Knoll combines high-quality materials with traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.