Eero Saarinen 1957
The Tulip Stool demonstrates Eero Saarinen’s purist approach to architecture and design. Seeking a solution to resolve the “confusing, unrestful world” underneath tables and chairs, he designed a sculptural base that brings visual and physical freedom to the surrounding environment.
The Saarinen Pedestal Collection brings order and beauty to the surrounding architecture.
The swiveling seat provides freedom of movement.
The Tulip Stool base is offered in black, white, and cream—three glossy finishes that pair beautifully with a wide range of upholsteries.
While studying at Cranbrook Academy of Art in the 1930s, Florence Knoll and Eero Saarinen forged a lasting friendship. The connection between these avid students of design evolved into a partnership that produced some of the most revered furniture pieces of the 20th century.
Eero Saarinen insisted that, in any design, “confusion comes from trying to amalgamate several conflicting ideas.” To avoid that confusion, in his furniture, as in his architecture, Saarinen sought the essential idea and represented it formally with clarity and strength, always striving for “consistency and relatedness of all parts.”
In the early 1950s, he turned his attention to the “ugly, confusing, unrestful world” he believed resulted from “the slum of legs” underneath typical tables and chairs. In 1957, he realized his ideal of formal unity with the Pedestal Table and Tulip Chair collections for Knoll. These majestically effortless, one-legged tables and chairs have since become symbols of modern design and mainstays of the Knoll design legacy.
Born to world famous architect and Cranbrook Academy of Art Director Eliel Saarinen and textile artist Loja Saarinen, Eero Saarinen was surrounded by design his whole life. After meeting Florence Knoll at Cranbrook, Saarinen went on to design many of Knoll's most recognizable pieces, including the Tulip collection, the Womb chair, and the 70 Series of seating. In addition to these achievements, Saarinen became a leader of the second-generation modernists.
For a complete list of applicable upholsteries, please visit the Surface Finish Library.
20048 | Saarinen Dining Table with Tulip Chairs
20043 | Tulip Stool with Saarinen Dining Table
20024 | Saarinen Dining Table with Tulip Stools in a private office setting
19837 | Skyline Lounge with Dividends Skyline Tables, Saarinen Executive Chairs, and Tulip Stools at Design Days 2026
19835 | Skyline Lounge at Design Days 2026
19533 | Skyline Lounge with Saarinen Lounge Height Table and Tulip Stools
19453 | Knoll Showroom, Design Days 2025
19350 | Knoll Showroom, Design Days 2025
19349 | Knoll Showroom, Design Days 2025
13557 | Knoll Atlanta Showroom
13545 | Rockwell Unscripted | Steps
8017 | Dividends Skyline
7977 | Dividends Skyline
20028 | Saarinen Tulip Stool - Hourglass, Indigo, Cream
20027 | Saarinen Tulip Stool - Cato, Brunette, Cream
20026 | Saarinen Tulip Stool - Cato, Midnight, Cream
20025 | Saarinen Tulip Stool - Cato, Carob, Cream
19863 | Saarinen Collection
19862 | Saarinen Collection
19861 | Saarinen Collection
19860 | Tulip Stools
11620 | Saarinen Pedestal Collection
11619 | Saarinen Tulip Stool and Armchair and Bertoia Side Chair
11618 | Saarinen Pedestal Collection
11617 | Saarinen Tulip Stool
5068 | Saarinen Tulip Chairs and Stool
5061 | Saarinen Tulip Chairs and Stool
4885 | Saarinen Tulip Chairs and Stool
4884 | Saarinen Stools
4883 | Saarinen Tulip Chairs and Stool
4882 | Saarinen Tulip Chairs and Stool
The configurator below is for reference purposes only. All options, finishes and sizes may not be represented.
For the complete scope, please refer to the KnollStudio price list.