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Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur

By the 1920s, Carl Malmsten became one of the most sought-after interior and furniture designers in all of Sweden. As a furniture maker he expressed the old, inherited forms as well as the new, bold ideas with his language of design. “Lata Greven”, Swedish for Lazy Count, is Carl Malmsten’s most successful “count chair”.  With a klismos-style curved back, this model was produced at O.H. Sjögren, a manufacturer that Malmsten often worked with.

This model is a simplified version of the “Jonas Love” armchair, which Carl Malmsten designed for the New York World Fair 1939. Sweeping curves with an organic impression and utmost quality are the main characteristics that define this pair of chairs. Even as a young designer in the early 20th century, Malmsten advocated artisanal furniture design based on local materials and traditions. “Break all edges thoroughly” was a frequent instruction on his drawings and nature was his great source of inspiration, therefore sharp edges or corners can rarely be found in his designs. This “Lata Greven” model is no different, with round, outward curving edges on the back and arms, and an upholstered, cosy seat and back. The organicity of the design is not broken by ornamentation, instead the charming green upholstery is utilised to highlight the shape of the chairs. The chairs are supported by slim, tapered legs made of solid wood with a stunning grain.

Carl Malmsten designed a number of so called “Grevar” (Counts) between the 1930s and 1950s and they were often commissioned for special people or projects. The chairs’ manufacturer, O.H. Sjögren is a furniture factory in Tranås in Småland, and has been active for over 110 years and is thus one of the oldest active furniture manufacturing companies in Sweden. Since the 1950s, O.H. Sjögren manufactured furniture designed by Carl Malmsten, where in the 1950s and 60s, he spent a lot of time to develop his furniture designs.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been reupholstered by a previous owner. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

23.62 in W x 25.59 in D x 29.92 in H; Seat height 16.92 in; Seat depth 18.50 in; Arm height 25.59 in

60 cm W x 65 cm D x 76 cm H; Seat height 43 cm; Seat depth 47 cm; Arm height 65 cm

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Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur

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These “Pedro” armchairs show the homely curviness that defined the design of the 1950s. Hiort af Ornäs developed this model for his own furniture company, Puunveisto Oy.

The Pedro model has a soft, sculptural shape paired with an ergonomic construction, which are very representative of the designer’s beliefs. Hiort af Ornäs was very firm about two things regarding his chair designs: the sitting comfort and that the model must look good from every single angle. Pedro fulfils these principles, for as even from the bottom, it showcases the elongated, tapered back legs that are visually captivating. The bodies have a welcoming look, with outward curving armrests and slightly bent backrests. In service of utmost comfort are the removable seat cushions that ensure sitting comfort, and the sheepskin upholstery that is extremely soft. The light colour and texture of the sheepskin complements the lacquered wood legs beautifully, highlighting their sculptural lines.

The craftsmanship and quality provided by Hiort af Ornäs is very visible in the Pedro collection that includes a sofa besides these chairs. The seating designs of the architect/designer have been gradually more and more recognized world-wide, which resulted in the recent exhibition titled “Forgotten Ornäs”.

Condition:

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

Dimensions:

29.13 in W x 28.34 in D x 32.67 in H; Seat height 17.32 in

74 cm W x 72 cm D x 83 cm H; Seat height 44 cm

About the designer:

Carl-Gustaf Vilhelm (nicknamed “Nalle”) Hiort of Ornäs was born on 27 February 1911 and lived most of his life in Tapiola/Espoo in Finland and in his later life moved to Spain. He is remembered as a Finnish interior architect and designer known to be uncompromising.

Before the Finnish wars (1939-1944), Hiort af Ornäs spent his time in Pori, working at Björneborgs Mekaniska Verkstad. He studied at the Helsinki University of Technology to become an architect but never graduated. He did, however, become known as an interior designer, and eventually even more known as a furniture designer.

In 1945, Hiort af Ornäs founded the furniture company Puunveisto Oy, for which he developed versatile techniques for shaping plywood. He started the furniture manufacturing shop on Lauttasaari in Helsinki (Veneentekijäntie 14) together with his brother. The wood shop, showroom and office were all located in the same building in Helsinki. Rolf Mesterton was the man in charge of producing the furniture, but there were several other carpenters at work in the woodshop. Hiort af Ornäs’s furniture was exhibited and sold by the shop Nupponen who also distributed Olavi Hänninen’s designs, while Puunveisto’s furniture were also sold by Gösta Westerbergs Möbler in Stockholm, Sweden but, in spite of a good selection of chairs, tables and shelves, did not do too well. Since production costs were high, Hiort af Ornäs faced economic troubles. The company was later sold to Nupponen after which Hiort af Ornäs’s interest in the company waned.

Hiort af Ornäs spent his retirement in Spain, and designed several buildings for Fuengirola’s Los Pacos neighbourhood, which has a large Finnish population. His house that he drew and built in Tapiola, Espoo, Finland, ‘Villa Hiort’, still stands and houses some of the designer’s original drawings. It is a beautiful example of 1950s Modernism and the talent of Hiort af Ornäs that brought him recognition that lasts to this day. ~H.

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Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur

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Carl Malmsten’s life's work spans nearly sixty intense years and his legacy is considered a national treasure in Sweden. He created a number of furniture classics including these rare “Elder man” armchairs.

His entire work is characterized by a close-to-nature philosophy which is deeply rooted in Swedish nature and commoner culture. A deeper knowledge of Carl Malmsten as a person means that his furniture can be seen not only as utilitarian objects, but also as artistic works with the ability to express a feeling or mood. These winged armchairs carry with them that certain “Malmstenesque” that is characterized by gentle curves, a cosy appearance and of course, the highest quality craftsmanship. This is especially visible in the flowing armrests that descend from the top, curling outwards to create a welcoming look. The slightly bent backrests are tufted with dark brown leather stitches that contrast with the light bouclé upholstery both in colour and texture to create a stylish, visually interesting look. As it can be expected from the “Master of Wood”, the frames are expertly designed, with ergonomic and aesthetic principles at their core. To complete the mid-century look, the structures are supported by tapered, solid wood legs that add an organic touch to the design.

In the 50s, Carl Malmsten’s furniture were produced in small series in smaller workshops, which meant that the furniture became very expensive and thus inaccessible to most people. He then decided to select a number of producers who could produce his furniture in larger volumes without sacrificing quality, beauty, and practicality. In Tranås he came into contact with O.H. Sjögren which he considered fulfilled all the high demands he placed on the production of upholstered furniture.

Condition:

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

Dimensions:

Chair 1

28.74 in W x 34.64 in D x 41.33 in H; Seat height 16.14 in; Arm height 21.65 in

73 cm W x 88 cm D x 105 cm H; Seat height 41 cm; Arm height 55 cm

Chair 2

29.52 in W x 32.67 in D x 41.73 in H; Seat height 14.56 in; Arm height 21.65 in

75 cm W x 83 cm D x 106 cm H; Seat height 37 cm; Arm height 55 cm

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.

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Price category: 12,500 - 15,000 usd / eur

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This pair of rare oak easy chairs showcases the homely curviness that defined the design of the 1950s in the Nordic countries. Hiort af Ornäs developed the model for his own furniture company, ‘Hiort Tuote Valmistaja Puunveisto Helsinki’, or ‘Hiort Product Manufacturer Puunveisto (woodcarver) Helsinki’.

This chair model’s body has a soft, sculptural shape paired with an ergonomic and firm construction. Hiort af Ornäs was very firm about two things regarding his chair designs: the sitting comfort and that the model must look good from every single angle. Much like the “Pedro” model, these easy chairs easily fulfil these principles, as even from the bottom, they showcase the expertly carved oak structure. The removable seat cushions, framed by the open bodies ensure the sitting comfort. The seats, back- and armrests are all formed from a single piece that has an organic, outward curving look that is highly inviting and stylish. Especially on the armrests, the curves highlight the texture of the velvet upholstery and vice versa. The fabric is most appealing on rounded, curving forms, therefore it is a perfect match for this pair of easy chairs. The legs on the other side have a more straightforward design, creating an interesting contrast with the upholstered bodies. They are gently splayed and bent to support the seats and display the oak’s beautiful, darker shade. The craftsmanship and quality that is to be expected from original Hiort af Ornäs chairs is very apparent.

The seating designs of the architect/designer have been gradually more and more recognized world-wide, which resulted in a recent exhibition titled “Forgotten Ornäs”. Form follows function is a principle of design associated with early and mid-20th century architecture and furniture design, stating that the shape of a building or object should primarily relate to its intended function or purpose. This was evidently an important principle for the designer, seen in the design of both the structure and aesthetic elements.

Condition:

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

Dimensions:

34.05 in W x 31.49 in D x 30.31 in H; Seat height 18.11 in

86.5 cm W x 80 cm D x 77 cm H; Seat height 46 cm

About the designer:

Carl-Gustaf Vilhelm (nicknamed “Nalle”) Hiort of Ornäs was born on 27 February 1911 and lived most of his life in Tapiola/Espoo in Finland and in his later life moved to Spain. He is remembered as a Finnish interior architect and designer known to be uncompromising.

Before the Finnish wars (1939-1944), Hiort af Ornäs spent his time in Pori, working at Björneborgs Mekaniska Verkstad. He studied at the Helsinki University of Technology to become an architect but never graduated. He did, however, become known as an interior designer, and eventually even more known as a furniture designer.

In 1945, Hiort af Ornäs founded the furniture company Puunveisto Oy, for which he developed versatile techniques for shaping plywood. He started the furniture manufacturing shop on Lauttasaari in Helsinki (Veneentekijäntie 14) together with his brother. The wood shop, showroom, and office were all located in the same building in Helsinki. Rolf Mesterton was the man in charge of producing the furniture, but there were several other carpenters at work in the woodshop. Hiort af Ornäs’s furniture was exhibited and sold by the shop Nupponen who also distributed Olavi Hänninen’s designs, while Puunveisto’s furniture were also sold by Gösta Westerbergs Möbler in Stockholm, Sweden but, in spite of a good selection of chairs, tables and shelves, did not do too well. Since production costs were high, Hiort af Ornäs faced economic troubles. The company was later sold to Nupponen after which Hiort af Ornäs’s interest in the company waned.

Hiort af Ornäs spent his retirement in Spain, and designed several buildings for Fuengirola’s Los Pacos neighbourhood, which has a large Finnish population. His house that he drew and built in Tapiola, Espoo, Finland, ‘Villa Hiort’, still stands and houses some of the designer’s original drawings. It is a beautiful example of 1950s Modernism and the talent of Hiort af Ornäs that brought him recognition that lasts to this day. ~H.

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‎Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur

This pair demonstrates Carl Malmsten’s fine sense of proportion, line tension and balance between the surfaces, and how skillfully he carried in the heritage of traditional allmoge (folk art) design.

These chairs are in the vein of Swedish modernism, with simplicity and functionality, while also showcasing the subtle details and quality Malmsten is known and appreciated for. Even though Swedish design is generally democratic and meant for the masses, pieces were not stripped of all beauty in order to make them as easy to use as possible. The importance of this balance can be identified in the design and execution of these armchairs as well. The wooden spindles comprising the back are the most apparent visual feature, while the more subtle details, such as the connecting point of the arms and seats make these models interesting. These chairs utilise the natural beauty of the oak perfectly. Furthermore, the oak structure is a frame for the cushions both in a literal and figurative way. The light bouclé fabric is a lovely contrast against the smooth oak, highlighting the interesting texture and look of both materials. The back and seat cushions are also quite rotund; therefore, the sitting comfort is great.

This pair of “Stugan” armchairs is an elegant and comfortable evidence of the mastery and artistry of the Swedish cabinetmakers who defined mid-20th century modern seating. Karl Andersson & Söner was one of these renowned workshops, materialising this model and a number of furniture series by Carl Malmsten, such as Visingsö. This pair is of the highest quality, both in terms of materials and craftsmanship.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been reupholstered recently in premium bouclé 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:

24.21 in W x 33.85 in D x 32.28 in H; Seat height 17.71 in

61.5 cm W x 86 cm D x 82 cm H; Seat height 45 cm

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.

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Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur

These “New Berlin” chairs are among Swedish icon Carl Malmsten’s rarer models. The dark wood, the beautiful upholstery and timeless, clean design makes the “New Berlin” model a beautiful representation of Sweden’s mid-century design history. In 1937, Carl Malmsten designed a sofa for the Swedish diplomatic mission in Berlin - he named the sofa “Berlin”. Perhaps the idea of these chairs came from the same mission.

Carl Malmsten was an individualist who took a strong position against the strict functionalism which blossomed during the 1930’s. As an alternative, he put forward a totally different program for a renewal of architecture and goods for everyday use. He fought for the right of humans to experience beauty. “Break all edges thoroughly” was a frequent instruction on Carl Malmsten’s drawings, and nature was his great source of inspiration - therefore sharp edges or corners can rarely be found on his designs, including these easy chairs. The soft curves that define their shape not only evoke a sense of inviting comfort, but also serve a practical purpose: the curvature conforms to the natural contours of the human body, making them the perfect spot to engage in leisurely conversation. Mid-century modern design has a penchant for soft curves and organic forms, and these easy chairs are no exception. The preference for such design elements arises from their ability to soften the lines of a room, creating a warm and inviting ambiance. Still, the soft outline of the design is crisp, enhanced by the textured upholstery and the line tracing. The upholstery adds an extra dimension of classic sophistication to the aesthetic that is reminiscent of the Art Deco era. With a frame in solid wood, these chairs also feature a sturdy structure that was created to last. The beautiful tapered wooden legs add a modern detail that balances out the fully upholstered bodies. The gentle curves of these chairs offer a pleasing contrast to the clean lines and angular shapes often associated with mid-century modern interiors. They seamlessly integrate into a variety of design schemes, enhancing the overall aesthetic and imbuing the space with a touch of timeless elegance.

As a furniture maker, Malmsten expressed the old, inherited forms as well as the new, bold ideas with his language of design. The result will forever be the same - beautiful, eternal individual pieces of furniture which together create a unified and harmonious feeling.

Condition:

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

Dimensions:

27.95 in W x 27.95 in D x 28.15 in H; Seat height 17.72 in; Arm height 24.80 in; Seat depth 20.08 in

71 cm W x 71 cm D x 71.5 cm H; Seat height 45 cm; Arm height 63 cm; Seat depth 51 cm

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.

‎

REQUEST PRICE HERE

Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur

‎

These “Pedro” armchairs show the homely curviness that defined the design of the 1950s. Hiort af Ornäs developed this model for his own furniture company, Puunveisto Oy.

The Pedro model has a soft, sculptural shape paired with an ergonomic construction, which are very representative of the designer’s beliefs. Hiort af Ornäs was very firm about two things regarding his chair designs: the sitting comfort and that the model must look good from every single angle. Pedro fulfills these principles, for as even from the bottom, it showcases the elongated, tapered back legs that are visually captivating. The bodies have a welcoming look, with outward curving armrests and slightly bent backrests. In service of utmost comfort are the removable seat cushions that ensure sitting comfort, and the upholstery that is extremely soft. The light colour and texture of the fabric complements the lacquered wood legs beautifully, highlighting their sculptural lines.

The craftsmanship and quality provided by Hiort af Ornäs is very visible in the Pedro collection that includes a sofa besides these chairs. The seating designs of the architect/designer have been gradually more and more recognized world-wide, which resulted in the recent exhibition titled “Forgotten Ornäs”.

Condition:

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

Dimensions:

27.55 in W x 26.96 in D x 29.72 in H; Seat height 16.33 in; Arm height 24.21 in

70 cm W x 68.5 cm D x 75.5 cm H; Seat height 41.5 cm; Arm height 61.5 cm

About the designer:

Carl-Gustaf Vilhelm (nicknamed “Nalle”) Hiort of Ornäs was born on 27 February 1911 and lived most of his life in Tapiola/Espoo in Finland and in his later life moved to Spain. He is remembered as a Finnish interior architect and designer known to be uncompromising.

Before the Finnish wars (1939-1944), Hiort af Ornäs spent his time in Pori, working at Björneborgs Mekaniska Verkstad. He studied at the Helsinki University of Technology to become an architect but never graduated. He did, however, become known as an interior designer, and eventually even more known as a furniture designer.

In 1945, Hiort af Ornäs founded the furniture company Puunveisto Oy, for which he developed versatile techniques for shaping plywood. He started the furniture manufacturing shop on Lauttasaari in Helsinki (Veneentekijäntie 14) together with his brother. The wood shop, showroom and office were all located in the same building in Helsinki. Rolf Mesterton was the man in charge of producing the furniture, but there were several other carpenters at work in the woodshop. Hiort af Ornäs’s furniture was exhibited and sold by the shop Nupponen who also distributed Olavi Hänninen’s designs, while Puunveisto’s furniture were also sold by Gösta Westerbergs Möbler in Stockholm, Sweden but, in spite of a good selection of chairs, tables and shelves, did not do too well. Since production costs were high, Hiort af Ornäs faced economic troubles. The company was later sold to Nupponen after which Hiort af Ornäs’s interest in the company waned.

Hiort af Ornäs spent his retirement in Spain, and designed several buildings for Fuengirola’s Los Pacos neighbourhood, which has a large Finnish population. His house that he drew and built in Tapiola, Espoo, Finland, ‘Villa Hiort’, still stands and houses some of the designer’s original drawings. It is a beautiful example of 1950s Modernism and the talent of Hiort af Ornäs that brought him recognition that lasts to this day. ~H.

‎

REQUEST PRICE HERE

Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur‎‎‎

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The seating designs of the architect and designer Carl Gustaf Hiort Af Ornäs have been gradually more and more recognized world-wide, which resulted in the recent exhibition titled “Forgotten Ornäs”. His designs, including these armchairs, are defined by the homely curviness and quality that mid-century design is beloved for.

These chairs named "Mikki” were designed by Carl Gustaf Hiort Af Ornäs and produced by his own company, Puunveisto Oy in the mid 1940s. In the mid-century era, materials were used for their own distinct qualities; often a piece of furniture would combine only two materials or colours – creating tension and harmony without fuss or superfluous ornament and these Mikki armchairs are perfect examples of this sentiment. The duality of the materials creates a flowing, self-supporting, and enticingly functional design. The combination of solid wood and high-quality upholstery is traditional in mid-century design for a good reason; the two materials highlight each other's unique qualities. This pair falls into the category of the so-called biomorphic mid-century, that describes the furniture that relished in organic, curved, smooth surfaces.  As such, the design is moulded into the shapes of natural occurrences, which was an accessible and lively mid-century contrast to the more austere machine aesthetic of the Bauhaus. This is most apparent in the armrests’ curvature and form with a beautifully sculpted shape dictating the rhythm of the whole design. Together with the curved shell seats’ welcoming shape and the fully upholstered bodies, these chairs have the characteristic charm of Hiort Af Ornäs’s design language. The tapered legs are more in service of functionality while showing off the natural beauty of the wood.

The craftsmanship of Hiort af Ornäs is very visible. The Finnish designer was very firm about two things regarding his chair designs: the sitting comfort and that the model must look good from every single angle. These Mikki armchairs fulfil these principles, showing off their stylish curves from all sides.

Condition:

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

Dimensions:

25.59 in W x 31.1 in D x 33.07 in H; Seat height 16.53 in; Arm height 24.01 in

65 cm W x 79 cm D x 84 cm H; Seat height 42 cm; Arm height 61 cm

About the designer:

Carl-Gustaf Vilhelm (nicknamed “Nalle”) Hiort of Ornäs was born on 27 February 1911 and lived most of his life in Tapiola/Espoo in Finland and in his later life moved to Spain. He is remembered as a Finnish interior architect and designer known to be uncompromising.

Before the Finnish wars (1939-1944), Hiort af Ornäs spent his time in Pori, working at Björneborgs Mekaniska Verkstad. He studied at the Helsinki University of Technology to become an architect but never graduated. He did, however, become known as an interior designer, and eventually even more known as a furniture designer.

In 1945, Hiort af Ornäs founded the furniture company Puunveisto Oy, for which he developed versatile techniques for shaping plywood. He started the furniture manufacturing shop on Lauttasaari in Helsinki (Veneentekijäntie 14) together with his brother. The wood shop, showroom, and office were all located in the same building in Helsinki. Rolf Mesterton was the man in charge of producing the furniture, but there were several other carpenters at work in the woodshop.

Hiort af Ornäs spent his retirement in Spain, and designed numerous buildings for Fuengirola’s Los Pacos neighbourhood, which has a large Finnish population. His house that he drew and built in Tapiola, Espoo, Finland, ‘Villa Hiort’, still stands and houses some of the designer’s original drawings. It is a beautiful example of 1950s Modernism and the talent of Hiort af Ornäs that brought him recognition that lasts to this day. ~H.

REQUEST PRICE HERE

Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur

There is a certain “Malmsten-esque” charm to the Swedish designer’s pieces that manifests in the gentle but defined curves and cosy appearance.

The expression “Swedish Modern” was first used at the 1939 New York World Fair, when the designer introduced the model “Oskar”. Similarly to that model, Malmsten remained a traditionalist, mainly concerned with comfort. The streamlined design of these armchairs preserves the homely feeling that define the aforementioned “Malmsten-esque”. “Break all edges thoroughly” was a frequent instruction on Carl Malmsten’s drawings and nature was his great source of inspiration, therefore sharp edges or corners can rarely be found on his designs, including this model.

With a tremendous sense of proportion, these armchairs are very comfortable and fulfill their task to “serve well” and to last for lifetimes. At the same time, it also serves the eyes with a gently curved, button-tufted back and more pronounced curves on the arms. The fully upholstered body rests on wooden tapered legs that are splayed in the back. The elegant, light fabric highlights the wood and its various shades and patterns.

Carl Malmsten was - and still is - one of the most famous furniture designers of Sweden, who was also active in the cultural and political sphere of the country. The “Stora Furulid” armchair is an elegant and comfortable evidence of the mastery, artistry, and ideals of the Swedish designer who had an important role in shaping mid-20th century Swedish Modern seating.

‎Condition:

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

Dimensions:

26.77 in W x 33.46 in D x 33.46 in H; Seat height 16.54 in; Arm height 24.02 in

68 cm W x 85 cm D x 85 cm H; Seat height 42 cm; Arm height 61 cm

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Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur

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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. Among the first pieces was Farmor, which soon became the most popular armchair in production.

In 1956, Carl Malmsten was on one of his regular visits to Sjögren's Upholstery Workshop in Tranås to develop new models for his furniture program. That was when these “Grandma” armchairs came into being and since then, the model has become a dear family member in many Swedish homes. Carl Malmsten wanted the furniture to express a special feeling or mood, which is also reflected in how he named them. These armchairs’ name relates to the design’s utmost comfort, that is exuded through the friendly and round shapes, femininity and cosiness. The pair’s frames are made of solid pine from Swedish forests to provide a sturdy base. The high-backs have an unmistakeable “crown” on top of them, that complements the armrests’ outward curling lines. The sitting comfort of this model is quite famous, the seat and the springs together, create extreme comfort. The plump seats and button tufting further add to the warm feeling of the design, while keeping it stylish and modern.

Carl Malmsten wanted these Farmor or Grandmother armchairs to express a particular feeling of warmth and comfort with the friendly and rounded forms. The femininity and the impression of homecoming that is often associated with the word ‘grandma’ is apparent in the design, which is undoubtedly why this model has been continuously beloved for the past six decades.

Condition:

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

Dimensions:

28.34 in W x 33.85 in D x 39.96 in H; Seat height 18.3 in

72 cm W x 86 cm D x 101.5 cm H; Seat height 46.5 cm

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.

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Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur‎

These “Pedro” armchairs show the homely curviness that defined the design of the 1950s. Hiort af Ornäs developed the model for his own furniture company, Puunveisto Oy.

The Pedro model has a soft, sculptural shape paired with an ergonomic construction. Hiort af Ornäs was very firm about two things regarding his chair designs: the sitting comfort and that the model must look good from every single angle. Pedro fulfils these principles, for as even from the bottom, it showcases the elongated, tapered back legs. The removable seat cushions ensure the sitting comfort.

The craftsmanship and quality of Hiort af Ornäs is very visible in the Pedro collection that includes a sofa besides this Pedro chair. The seating designs of the architect/designer have been gradually more and more recognized world-wide, which resulted in the recent exhibition titled “Forgotten Ornäs”.

The chairs have been reupholstered in an intricate, premium bouclé fabric that compliments the wood beautifully.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chairs have been recently reupholstered in a premium bouclé fabric. The chairs minimally differ in width and height.

Dimensions:

Chair 1:

27.55 in W x 26.96 in D x 29.72 in H; Seat height 16.92 in

70 cm W x 68.5 cm D x 75.5 cm H; Seat height 43 cm

Chair 2:

28.14 in W x 26.96 in D x 29.33 in H; Seat height 16.92 in

71.5 cm W x 68.5 cm D x 74.5 cm H; Seat height 43 cm

About the designer:

Carl-Gustaf Vilhelm (nicknamed “Nalle”) Hiort of Ornäs was born on 27 February 1911 and lived most of his life in Tapiola/Espoo in Finland and in his later life moved to Spain. He is remembered as a Finnish interior architect and designer known to be uncompromising.

Before the Finnish wars (1939-1944), Hiort af Ornäs spent his time in Pori, working at Björneborgs Mekaniska Verkstad. He studied at the Helsinki University of Technology to become an architect but never graduated. He did, however, become known as an interior designer, and eventually even more known as a furniture designer.

In 1945, Hiort af Ornäs founded the furniture company Puunveisto Oy, for which he developed versatile techniques for shaping plywood. He started the furniture manufacturing shop on Lauttasaari in Helsinki (Veneentekijäntie 14) together with his brother. The wood shop, showroom and office were all located in the same building in Helsinki. Rolf Mesterton was the man in charge of producing the furniture, but there were several other carpenters at work in the woodshop. Hiort af Ornäs’s furniture was exhibited and sold by the shop Nupponen who also distributed Olavi Hänninen’s designs, while Puunveisto’s furniture were also sold by Gösta Westerbergs Möbler in Stockholm, Sweden but, in spite of a good selection of chairs, tables and shelves, did not do too well. Since production costs were high, Hiort af Ornäs faced economic troubles. The company was later sold to Nupponen after which Hiort af Ornäs’s interest in the company waned.

Hiort af Ornäs spent his retirement in Spain, and designed several buildings for Fuengirola’s Los Pacos neighbourhood, which has a large Finnish population. His house that he drew and built in Tapiola, Espoo, Finland, ‘Villa Hiort’, still stands and houses some of the designer’s original drawings. It is a beautiful example of 1950s Modernism and the talent of Hiort af Ornäs that brought him recognition that lasts to this day. ~H.

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Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur

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Carl Malmsten has designed over 1000 different furniture models, most of which were named, giving his models even more character. “Gamla Stan”, Swedish for “Old Town”, is a classic Malmsten chair design with his signature curves and forms.

This Carl Malmsten chair model used to be owned by Carneruds (a furniture store on Götgatan, Stockholm) and therefore they had the exclusive rights to sell this model throughout Sweden. Carl Malmsten was known for his devotion to traditional Swedish craftsmanship (slöjd) and his opposition to functionalism. He "considered the rationalization of the home according to functionalist principles a debasement of its traditional role as an intimate place for gathering and repose". This pair of armchairs materialize this sentiment. The rounded edges and welcoming shape signifies the homely aesthetic Malmsten aimed for. Sharp corners are not to be found, as “neither light, nor eyes or people like bumping into sharp corners”, as the designer once explained. The tufted buttons on the back further add to the cosy look, and the outward curving arms and back assure comfort. The solid wood legs add am organic touch, and used to come in custom lengths, manufactured based on the client’s needs.

Carl Malmsten was not only one of the most famous furniture designer in Sweden. He was also one of the great cultural celebrities of the last century, with a strong influence on domestic and public environments and the social debate of the time. As this pair of “Gamla Stan” chairs show, Carl Malmsten represents a distinct style of interior design that lives on long after its creator has passed away.

Condition:

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

Dimensions:

25 in W x 34.84 in D x 37.4 in H; Seat height 15.35 in

63.5 cm W x 88.5 cm D x 95 cm H; Seat height 39 cm

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.