Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Swedish, 1888-1972
Carl Malmsten, a prominent furniture designer and educator associated with Swedish modernism, enjoyed immense popularity for his shapely sofas and armchairs in luscious color palettes. Malmsten believed that light — much like our eyes and bodies — doesn’t like to bump into sharp objects. Smooth edges, on the other hand, are kinder to the eye and and to our touch, and allow light to softly bounce off surfaces. Malmsten felt that if his furniture didn’t “serve well” in the home, it had no business being there.
Malmsten’s career essentially began in 1915, when his submissions for a competition to furnish the new Stockholm City Hall were first- and second-place prize winners. In the 1920s, his profile soared. He won a prize at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts — the show that brought the Art Deco style to worldwide attention — and quickly became one of the most sought-after designers of commercial seating in Sweden.
Malmsten was soon contracted to design chairs, tables and other furniture for the Stockholm Concert Hall, the Swedish Institute in Rome and the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York. His famous Art Nouveau-influenced Stadshusstolen chair, designed for Stockholm City Hall in 1916, is a highlight of the city’s recently opened Museum of Furniture Studies. Malmsten expanded into interior design and created a luxurious, well-appointed living room in the palace of then-Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and his bride, Crown Princess Louise.
In the 1930s, Malmsten clashed with critics when he voiced his opposition to functionalism. Like Danish modernist Kaare Klint, he favored using quality local materials and prized traditional craftsmanship. Malmsten’s furniture draws on graceful neoclassical influences, and he said that extreme functionalism contributed to “sterile” interiors — while the curving contours of his work may share ground with furniture designed by Alvar Aalto or Bruno Mathsson, Malmsten differed with Bauhaus eminences and some Scandinavian modernists on their prioritization of functionalism.
For an exhibition in 1956 at the Röhsska Museum in Gothenburg, Malmsten designed furniture that was intended for mass production — and his striking designs began to make their way into middle-class Swedish homes owing to Malmsten’s partnerships with manufacturers such as O.H. Sjögren. Until then, he had built his pieces at the school he founded in the 1930s or had them made by artisans at several small local workshops.
Malmsten founded a number of schools for design and collaborated with other designers who shared his philosophy of “hand and mind in creative collaboration.” These included the esteemed textile artist Märta Måås Fjetterström, whose pieces he included in exhibits and even his own home.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Carl Malmsten seating, tables, cabinets and more.
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Creator: Carl Malmsten
Midcentury Modern Sheepskin/Shearling Carl Malmsten "Samspel" Lounge Chairs
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This model” Samspel” lounge chairs was designed by Carl Malmsten in 1956 and manufactured during that time at AB Record Bollnäs Sweden. These two chairs have been fully reupholstered...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Birch
Scandinavian elegant lounge chair by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Great lounge chair by Carl Malmsten. Model is 'Hemmakväll' and was designed in the 1940s.
Original fabric in good condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Carl Malmsten Hangsits armchair in solid pine and green fabric c. 1947
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
An exceedingly rare chair designed by Carl Malmsten. The “hangsits” armchair, c. 1947 in solid pine and original green fabric. From Sweden these chairs weren’t offered as knock dow...
Category
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Pine
1940s Gold Colored Velvet Upholstered Lounge Chair By Carl Malmsten Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Very comfortable lounge chair designed by Carl Malmsten in the 1940s reupholstered with golden velvet fabric somewhere in the 1960s.
The oak legs are dark stained also in a later per...
Category
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Oak
Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjögren 'Our Lady' Lounge Chair in Teak
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjögren, 'Our Lady' easy chair, teak, fabric, Sweden, 1950s.
Very interesting Swedish lounge chair by Carl Malmsten in a yellow fabric with tufted back. The ...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjögren 'Our Lady' Lounge Chair in Teak
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjögren, 'Our Lady' easy chair, teak, fabric, Sweden, 1950s.
Very interesting Swedish lounge chair by Carl Malmsten in off-white fabric with tufted back. The...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Teak
Carl Malmsten Vintage Samsas Chairs in Off-White Boucle
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
Carl Malmsten Samsas Lounge chairs, 1950s
Produced in the 1950s by O H Sjögren in Sweden, the 'Samsas' lounge chair is one of Swedish master Carl Malmsten's finest works. These examp...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wool, Beech
Carl Malmsten 1950s Lounge Chair Model Samsas for O.H. Sjögren
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful midcentury lounge chair model Samsas (meaning "together" in Swedish) designed by Swedish design icon, Carl Malmsten in 1955, for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden. Malmsten's work is in...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wool, Teak
Carl Malmsten 'Redet' Lounge Chair
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carl Malmsten, ‘Redet’ lounge chair, stained mahogany, reupholstered in Métaphores “Eden Citrine” fabric, Sweden, design 1936, production 1937.
Crafted in 1937, the 'Redet' easy cha...
Category
1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Mahogany
Carl Malmsten, Lounge Chair, Velvet, Birch, Sweden, c. 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in High Point, NC
A purple velvet and light birch lounge chair, designed and produced by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, c. 1940s.
Category
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Birch
1950ies Solid Pine Chairs Designed by Carl Malmsten for Svensk Fur
By Svensk Fur, Carl Malmsten
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
1950ies Sörgården dining chairs, designed by Carl Malmsten for Svensk Fur in solid pine wood
The Sörgården chair was designed by Malmsten and manufactured by Svensk Fur in the 19...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wood
Carl Malmsten "Åldermannen" Winged Armchairs for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Utrecht, NL
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 rar...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Swedish OH Sjögren Nest, Beechwood Lounge Chair by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten, AB Stilarmatur Tranås, O.H. Sjögren
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish nest, reading lounge chair made of hand crafted polished Beechwood, designed by Carl Malmsten, produced by O.H. Sjögren and AB Stilarmatur Tranås in good condition. The seat backrest of the small Scandinavian center chair is slightly inclined with arched armrests, composed with a detachable seat cushion, standing on four short wooden feet. Manufacturer label at the bottom. Newly upholstered in a white bouclé fabric. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1960 - 1980, Sweden, Scandinavia.
Measures: Seat: 19" H x 30" W x 23" D
Carl Malmsten was a famous Swedish furniture designer, architect, and educator born in 1888, in Sweden and passed away in 1972. He collaborated with Gunnar Asplund and Uno Ahren. Malmsten has a lasting influence on Swedish design through the two schools which he founded, the Carl Malmsten furniture studies. In 1945, Malmsten was honored for a design with an inaugural Prince Eugen Medal in Sweden.
O.H. Sjögren is one of the oldest Swedish furniture companies which is run by the fourth generation. The company was originally founded in circa 1870 by C. Rosén in Tranås, Sweden. In 1902, the Swedish manufacturer ( known today as O.H. Sjögren ) was taken over by Oskar Herbert Sjögren. In the early times, they were producing harnesses, saddles, etc. for horses. Later on, in the 1930’s, when the sons of Sjögren, Gustav and Olle Sjögren...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech
Carl Malmsten Lounge Chair
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Chicago, IL
Made in: Sweden, 1950
Material: faux sheepskin, beech
Size: 30 W × 30 D × 32 H in seat height 16.5 inches
Description: Metal manufacturer's labels to underside ‘AB O.H.Sjogr...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Carl Malmsten Boucle Samsas Lounge Chair, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
Carl Malmsten
Samsas lounge chair, 1950s
Produced in the 1950s by O H Sjögren in Sweden, the 'Samsas' lounge chair is one of Swedish master Carl Malmsten's finest works. This e...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wool, Beech
Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjögren Pair of 'Our Lady' Lounge Chairs in Teak
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjögren, 'Our Lady' pair of lounge chairs, teak, fabric, Sweden, 1950s.
Very interesting pair of Swedish lounge chairs by Carl Malmsten in off-white and past...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Teak, Fabric
Carl Malmsten Armchair
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Malmsten armchair. Store formerly known as ARTFUL DODGER INC
Category
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Birch, Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Carl Malmsten Armchair
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Kramfors, SE
Scandinavian modern armchair by Carl Malmsten from Sweden made during the mid 20th century, around 1960 to 1970. The armchair has the sleek lines and minimal design typical to the Sc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric
Carl Malmsten for O. H. Sjögren Lounge Chairs Model ‘Farmor’
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carl Malmsten for O. H. Sjögren, lounge chairs model ‘Farmor’, fabric wood, Sweden, design 1956
Swedish furniture designer Carl Malmsten cooperated in the 1950s with small Swedish c...
Category
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Single Swedish Armchair - Vintage Side Chair by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A white-grey, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish anonymous armchair with two pillows, designed by Carl Malmsten, in good condition. The seat backrest of single Scandinavian Little Fu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Birch
Carl Malmsten, Pair of Konsert Lounge Chairs for Stockholm Concert Hall, 1926
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Uppsala, SE
Very rare and important lounge chairs, model Konsert, designed by the grandfather of Swedish design, Carl Malmsten, for Stockholms Konserthus (Stockholm Concert Hall) in 1923. An early piece in his production. The concert hall was designed by Swedish architect Ivar Tengbom...
Category
1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Velvet, Birch
Pair of Vintage Swedish Carl Malmsten Hemmakvall Armchairs
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Atlanta, GA
MCM Pair of Swedish Hemmakvall armchairs by Carl Malmsten in original fabric circa 1956. Very comfortable! Original upholstery has flaws. Price listed includes reupholstery in COM....
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wool
Carl Malmsten "Samsas" Chair
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Malmsten "Samsas" chair produced by O. H. Sjogren. Store formerly known as ARTFUL DODGER INC
Category
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Beech, Fabric
Carl Malmsten Pair of Lounge Chairs with Original Upholstery
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carl Malmsten for AB O.H. Sjögren, pair of easy chairs, fabric, mahogany, Tranås, Sweden, 1987
Pair of wonderful chairs that are very well designed by Carl Malmsten. The armchairs a...
Category
1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair Carl Malmsten 1950s Lounge Chairs Model Samsas for O.H. Sjögren
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful midcentury lounge chairs model Samsas (meaning "together" in Swedish) designed by Swedish design icon, Carl Malmsten in 1955, for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden. Malmsten's work is i...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Wool, Teak
Midcentury Modern Sheepskin/Shearling Carl Malmsten "Lata Greven" Lounge Chairs
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This model” Lata Greven" (Lazy countess) lounge chair designed by Carl Malmsten in 1953 and manufactured during that time. These two chairs have been fully...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Birch
Pair of Carl Malmsten Lounge Chair
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Beech
Rare Single Lounge Chair by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful single sculptural lounge chair by Swedish master Carl Malmsten.
Carl Malmsten (1888-1972).
Carl Malmsten Studio.
Sweden, circa 1950.
New Upholstery.
Measures: 37.5” H x 27...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Upholstery
Carl Malmsten Lounge Chair
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Malmsten lounge chair. Store formerly known as ARTFUL DODGER INC
Category
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Birch, Fabric
Carl Malmsten "Samspel" Lounge Chair
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Malmsten "Samspel" lounge chair with original upholstery. Store formerly known as ARTFUL DODGER INC
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Birch, Fabric
Pair of Carl Malmsten "Samsas" Chairs
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Malmsten "Samsas" chairs produced by O. H. Sjogren. Store formerly known as ARTFUL DODGER INC
Category
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Birch, Fabric
Pair of Carl Malmsten "Samsas" Chairs
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Malmsten "Samsas" chairs produced by O. H. Sjogren.
Category
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Carl Malmsten Lounge Chairs
Materials
Beech, Fabric
Carl Malmsten lounge chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Carl Malmsten lounge chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Carl Malmsten lounge chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original lounge chairs by Carl Malmsten were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in scandinavia during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider lounge chairs by Nordiska Kompaniet, Alf Svensson, and NK (Nordiska Kompaniet). Prices for Carl Malmsten lounge chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $796 and can go as high as $28,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,013.