Womb Chair & Ottoman in Gray Chenille Velvet by Eero Saarinen for Knoll

Good design is often born from a desire to challenge the norm. In the late 1940s, friends and collaborators Florence Knoll and Eero Saarinen found themselves disillusioned by the rigid, uninspired nature of lounge seating at the time — and they sought a revolution. Knoll expressed to Saarinen her frustration at having to sit "properly," as traditional designs so often demanded. Saarinen, inspired by her complaint, set out to create a chair that would not only satisfy his friend’s request but also make a groundbreaking statement.

Saarinen recognized a fundamental human desire for primal comfort, leading him to envision a form with organic roots. Traditional furniture-making techniques, however, could not achieve the form he imagined. Together, Knoll and Saarinen turned to emerging technologies in cast fiberglass and resin, practically redefining what a chair could be. Saarinen called this new creation Model 70 — though it would soon be universally known as "The Womb": a chair where Florence Knoll, and millions after her, could sit freely, comfortably, and in any position they wished, enveloped in a cocoon of comfort true to its name.

Knoll continues to handcraft each Womb Chair according to Saarinen’s original design specifications and intentions. The example shown here is the Standard size, the largest version in the Womb Chair suite. Our team has preserved its original factory upholstery: a KnollTextiles Performance Chenille in the color Mist. The subtly iridescent, velvety material perfectly complements the chair’s polished chromed steel frame, enhancing its sculptural beauty from every angle. This original Womb Chair and Ottoman remain in outstanding original condition, showing only minor wear consistent with age and history — a true testament to Knoll’s enduring craftsmanship.