Midcentury Teak Dresser By Falster

Falster Møbelfabrik furniture is effortlessly pleasing to the eye. The mid-20th-century Danish furniture manufacturer is distinguished by its gorgeous hardwood pieces boasting impeccable build quality. Durable teak and rich rosewood were among the company's favorite wood options for its chic credenzas, upscale dressers and elegant highboys. Falster Møbelfabrik pieces are characterized by clean lines, generous proportions, tapered legs and gentle curves — all of the attributes that are typically associated with the best of mid-century Scandinavian design.

While little is known about the beginnings of Falster Møbelfabrik, it was producing furniture by the 1950s. Throughout the second half of the decade, Arne Wahl Iversen worked with the manufacturer on a series of alluring Scandinavian modern pieces. A budding designer at the time, the Nyborg-born Iversen studied under legendary Danish modernist Kaare Klint at Copenhagen’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts and went on to have an illustrious career. His designs for Falster Møbelfabrik included teak tables and chairs, upholstered armchairs and multiple storage cabinets.

In the 1960s, Falster Møbelfabrik enjoyed another fruitful collaboration with talented Danish designer Svend Åge Madsen. The resulting mid-century modern furniture became some of the manufacturer's most well-known creations. Madsen's credenzas, dressers and nightstands were sensible and stylish. They came with rich wood finishes and features like spacious compartments and adjustable shelves. Thoughtful touches like felt-lined drawers and finished backs make them a sophisticated addition to any room.

Operating in the heyday of Danish furniture manufacturing, Falster Møbelfabrik left its own commanding stamp on the industry. Many of the company's vintage pieces were built with durability in mind and remain in good condition today.

On 1stDibs, find Falster Møbelfabrik storage pieces, bedroom furniture, tables and more.

Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of storage case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.