Parker Knoll was founded by Tom Parker proprietor of a British furniture manufacturer who worked in in the business started by his father Frederick. Willi Knoll was a German spring engineer who came to England in 1929 looking to form a partnership with a furniture manufacturer. The business was launched at the British Industries fair in 1931.

The new venture was quickly successful producing high quality sprung furniture for the mass market. During the war years the company produced wooden componentry for de Havilland and repaired gliders then reversed into furniture production after 1945. With increasing the company listed in 1950 and then in the 1960’s saw vast production of recliner chairs which became a signature item.

The company went back to private ownership in 2004 after suffering financial difficulties then went through several ownerships and now has gone back to its roots producing high quality furniture from a state of the art factory in Nottinghamshire.

A set of two Parker Knoll chairs were completely stripped of the upholstery and sanded back to the bare timber.  Three coats of lacquer were applied being sanded between coats. The frames were then lightly rubbed back with super-fine steel wool to produce the required finish.

The client selected a 1970’s period velvet for the upholstery. The padding was fabricated by laminating premium cushioning then encased in polyester fibre. The upholstery fabric suited these chairs embracing the era.

Our client was overwhelmed with the chairs adding these pieces to her home filled with beautiful mid-century furniture.

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