Carl Malmsten is one of Sweden's most famous furniture designers. Many of his furniture models are considered modern design classics, with a uniting aesthetic that could be defined as a certain “Malmstenesque” quality. In the mid-1950s, Carl Malmsten awarded ten small furniture companies, mainly in Småland, the honour of making a series of some of his products.

Like his models "Lilla Åland" and "Vardag", the “Patron” adopted the ideals of "beautiful everyday goods" of the 1940s. Its neat shape and frugal design quickly became timeless interior details that we still (or rather, once again) see in many homes today. During his career, Malmsten collaborated with several architects, such as Ragnar Östberg, Ivar Tengbom, and Ferdinand Boberg. He designed furniture for Stockholm's concert hall and Ulriksdal castle. He participated in the now iconic hosing exhibition at Liljevalchs gallery in 1917, where the term "Beautiful everyday goods" was coined. Interestingly, the furnishings of the Swedish Ulriksdal Palace were a wedding present from the people of Stockholm, and Carl Malmsten designed the furniture. This living room is one of the finest 20th century interiors in Sweden. This model has a lot to boast even besides its stylish footstool. It possesses the unmistakeable “Malmstenesque” characteristics, such as the homely curves, the cosy impression and exceptionally high level of cabinetmaking evident even if covered by the custom, premium upholstery. Like the light wool blend fabric, the footstool also greatly complements the overall impression, adding extra layers of functionality and comfort for both the eyes and the body. Malmsten wanted his furniture pieces to express a special feeling or mood with utmost comfort, that is exuded through the friendly and round shapes, femininity and cosiness. The chair’s frame is made of solid wood. As it can be expected from the “Master of Wood”, the frame is expertly designed, with ergonomic and aesthetic principles at its core. The body features the gentle curves that defined Malmsten’s later designs. This is especially visible in the outward curving armrests that descend from the top to create a welcoming look, and in the peculiarly shaped back. The back is decorated with tufted buttons that add extra depth to the sizeable structure. The chair is supported by tapered, solid wood legs that add an organic touch to the design. These elements are especially attractive from the profile of the chair, elevate even further by the textured upholstery. Like on the footstool, their warm brown colour contrast beautifully with the wool blend upholstery. This chair was made at O.H Sjögren’s famed workshop in Tranås, Sweden. One important thread running through Scandinavian design is functionalism, which is the most evident in the sturdy frame and the footstool, which elongates the chair’s seat even further visually. At the same time, the square shape also serves a purely aesthetic role by balancing the “Patron’s” round outline, enhanced by the same wool blend upholstery that also ties it together with the chair. The chairs is label-marked with Malmsten’s name on it.

Moving into the machine age, life became somewhat easier, and functionalism evolved into also meeting the emotional needs of people. This gave Swedish functionalism a more natural and humanistic side, which is evident when looking at this set. The company, known today as O.H. Sjögren, was established as early as the 1870s. Carl Malmsten, who had hitherto only produced the most exclusive and unique furniture for a limited and affluent clientele, sought manufacturers who were able to produce his furniture in larger volumes without compromising on the high demands he placed on craftsmanship and quality. He chose O.H. Sjögren, and together they developed and marketed the many items of upholstered furniture that have become classics today.

SOLD

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair and footstool have been reupholstered recently in premium wool blend fabric. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

Chair

33.26 in W x 37 in D x 39.76 in H; Seat height 16.53 in; Arm height 21.85 in

84.5 cm W x 94 cm D x 101 cm H; Seat height 42 cm; Arm height 55.5 cm

Footstool

23.62 in W x 19.68 in D x 13.77 in H

60 cm W x 50 cm D x 35 cm H

About the designer:

Carl Malmsten (December 7, 1888 – August 13, 1972) was a Swedish furniture designer, architect, and educator. Malmsten was born in Stockholm, Sweden. Malmsten's career took off when he won a competition in 1916 to design furniture for the Stockholm City Hall and shortly after in 1917, he exhibited alongside well-known Swedish architects such as Gunnar Asplund and Uno Åhrén.

In the 1920s he was invited to furnish a room for the crown prince, Gustaf VI Adolf, and his wife Louise in Ulriksdal Palace. He was honoured with an inaugural Prince Eugen Medal for design in 1945. Already as a young designer in the early 20th century, Carl Malmsten advocated an artisanal furniture design based on local ingredients and traditions, available to a wide audience at a reasonable price.

Nature was Carl Malmsten's foremost teacher and source of inspiration. He conveyed his love of craftsmanship as a teacher in his own schools, at Olofskolan in Stockholm, Capellagården on Öland and the Carl Malmsten school on Lidingö, today a branch of Linköping University and one of the country's leading design colleges. As a debater, Malmsten stormed against functionalism, but in retrospect it can be seen that his ideas often coincided with the rational and frugal style ideals of function.

Malmsten has had a lasting influence on Swedish furniture design through the two schools he founded—the Carl Malmsten Furniture Studies (Carl Malmstensskolan), which has been a part of Linköping University since 2000, is situated on the island of Lidingö on the outskirts of Stockholm. Carl Malmsten spoke about the importance of tradition, craftsmanship, and the nation. His furniture was in many ways a product of the thoughts and ideals of the time, they have a timeless quality that makes them just as relevant and loved today. ~H.