Los Angeles-based designer Willo Perron has expanded his collaboration with Knoll, introducing the Pillo lounge chair as a sophisticated companion to his existing Pillo modular sofa. The new design strikes a balance between the structured precision of tailored upholstery and the inviting softness of stacked pillows. His approach echoes the experimental work of 1980s postmodern designers like Gaetano Pesce, whose Dalila chairs and UP series pushed the boundaries of what seating could look like with their oversized, pillow-like forms.
Willo Perron’s new design for Knoll strikes a balance between the structured precision of tailored upholstery and the inviting softness of stacked pillows. Photo courtesy of Knoll
The chair’s form consists of pillow-shaped squares arranged with two cushions forming the seat and one cushion each creating the back and arms. What appears to be a casual stack of oversized pillows actually delivers engineered, lounge-level support, a detail that gives the chair its personality. “It sparks curiosity while inviting sitters to curl up and relax,” Willo says, capturing his ability to blend contemporary aesthetics with comfort. The concept draws from his childhood memories of constructing pillow forts, though the execution maintains his typically minimalist design philosophy.
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- The Pillo’s engineered construction delivers lounge-level support while maintaining the visual language of crisp, architectural cushioning, a detail that gives the chair its personality.
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- Photos courtesy of Knoll
This dual purpose feels spot-on for the modern era, when furniture needs to both look good on Instagram and support you through hours of use. It’s an approach that connects back to Knoll’s own story. Florence Knoll, who studied under Bauhaus master Mies van der Rohe, made it her mission to prove that modernist furniture could work in real spaces without feeling cold or intimidating.
Willo Perron has expanded his collaboration with Knoll, introducing the Pillo Lounge Chair as a sophisticated companion to his existing Pillo modular sofa. Photo courtesy of Knoll
Willo’s background includes high-profile work creating both furniture and visual experiences for musicians like Travis Scott and Rihanna, plus interior projects for brands including Skims and Stüssy. He describes his approach as finding the intersection between playfulness and pragmatism, noting that humor is a consistent thread in his work.
Made in Italy, the chair’s refined construction serves as a neutral foundation for Knoll’s range of premium textiles, allowing homeowners to tailor the piece to their aesthetic vision. As Willo continues to build out his vision for Knoll, the Pillo lounge chair makes comfort feel effortlessly considered.
