Vintage Modernist Lounge Chairs by Erik Karlén, Sweden, 1940s
By Firma Rumsinteriör
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of rare lounge chairs by Eric Karlén with bold lines. Upholstered with linen and elegant leather dressed buttons.
Leather, Linen, Wood
Erik Karlén Attribution, Slipper Chairs, Beech, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Eric Karlén
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of green velvet fabric and beech slipper lounge chairs attributed to Erik Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, Sweden, c. 1950s. Seat height 17”.
Fabric, Beech
Erik Bertil Karlén, Rare Easy Chair, Beech, Shearling, Sweden, 1940s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Stamford, CT
Erik Bertil Karlén, Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Easy Chair, Beech, Sheepskin, Sweden, 1940s A gorgeous easy chair designed and produced by Erik Bertil Karlén for a Stockholm interio...
Sheepskin, Beech
Rare Pair of Erik Bertil Karlén Easy Chairs, Sweden, 1950s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Stockholm, SE
Excellent condition. Completely restored.
Sheepskin
Eric Bertil Karlén Lounge Chair in Ember-Toned Upholstery and Elm, Sweden, 1940s
By Firma Rumsinteriör, Eric Karlén
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare lounge chair was designed by Eric Bertil Karlén and produced by his company Firma Rumsinteriör in Sweden in the 1940s.
Wool, Linen, Upholstery, Elm
Eric Bertil Karlén Pair of Lounge Chairs in Ivory Linen and Elm, Sweden, 1940s
By Firma Rumsinteriör, Eric Karlén
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare pair of lounge chairs was designed by Eric Bertil Karlén and produced by his company Firma Rumsinteriör in Sweden in the 1940s.
Cotton, Linen, Wood, Elm
Easy Chairs in Beech & Reupholstered in Sheepskin by Erik Bertil Karlén, 1940's
By Eric Karlén
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Easy Chairs in Beech and Newly Reupholstered in Sheepskin with Leather Buttons by Erik Bertil Karlén, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Beech and newly reupholstered in sheep...
Beech, Sheepskin
Sofa in Beech and Reupholstered in Kvadrat Fabric by Erik Bertil Karlén, 1940's
By Eric Karlén
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa in Beech and Newly Reupholstered in Kvadrat Fabric with Leather Buttons by Erik Bertil Karlén, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Beech and newly reupholstered in Kvadrat...
Beech, Leather, Fabric
Pair Easy Chairs in Sheepskin in the manner of Erik Bertil Karlén, Sweden 1940s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Utrecht, NL
This pair of easy chairs exemplifies the craftsmanship of Swedish modern furniture and its understated luxury. The 1940s saw a departure from the ornate and glamorous Art Deco era to...
Sheepskin, Wood
Erik Karlén Attribution, Slipper Chairs, Beech, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Firma Rumsinteriör, Eric Karlén
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of white bouclé fabric and beech slipper lounge chairs attributed to Erik Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, Sweden, c. 1950s. Seat height: 16.25”
Fabric, Beech
Erik Bertil Karlén, Swedish sheep skin lounge chair for Firma Rumsinteriör, 1940
By Eric Karlén, Firma Rumsinteriör
Located in Uppsala, SE
Semi rare lounge chair by Eric Bertil Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, 1940s.
Sheepskin, Birch
Swedish Modern lounge chair by Erik Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, Sweden, 1940s
By Eric Karlén, Firma Rumsinteriör
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Very rare lounge chair designed by Erik Bertil Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, Sweden, 1940s. Frame of elm and upholstered in sheepskin with leather buttons. Suits together perfec...
Leather, Sheepskin, Elm
Unavailable
H 31.5 in W 27.56 in D 31.5 in
Scandinavian Modern, Eric karlén ‘NR 86’ Sheepskin Armchair
By Eric Karlén
Located in Madrid, ES
Armchair in beech wood, model ‘NR 86’ designed by Erik Karlén for Raumsinteriör. Sweden, 1960s This design features a curved shape that reminds us of nature itself, a shape that is e...
Sheepskin
Unavailable
H 33.08 in W 59.06 in D 27.56 in
Rare Erik Bertil Karlén Curved Little White Sofa, Sweden, 1940s
By Eric Karlén
Located in ROSHEIM, FR
This rare curved little sofa was designed by Eric Bertil Karlén and produced by his company Firma Rumsinteriör in Sweden in the 1940s.
Lambskin, Wood
Velvet Sofa by Eric Karlén
By Eric Karlén, Firma Rumsinteriör
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Striking, rarely seen sofa by Eric Karlén, made in the 1940s. Birch legs, body reupholstered with off-white velvet.
Velvet, Birch
Erik Karlén Attribution, Slipper Chair, Birch, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Eric Karlén
Located in High Point, NC
A white bouclé fabric and birch slipper lounge chair attributed to Erik Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, Sweden, c. 1950s. Seat Height: 16.75"
Fabric, Birch
Erik Karlén Attribution, Slipper Chairs, Wood, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Eric Karlén
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of white bouclé fabric and beech slipper lounge chairs attributed to Erik Karlén for Firma Rumsinteriör, Sweden, c. 1950s. Staining present to fabric, reupholstery recommende...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 33.08 in W 27.96 in D 32.29 in
Swedish Modern Curved Easy Chair, Attributed to Erik Karlén, 1940s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Uppsala, SE
Midcentury Swedish modern curved easy chair, attributed to Swedish designer Erik Bertil Karlén, with a velvet like grey/blue upholstery. Legs and armrests of birch. The chair has a v...
Fabric, Birch
Sold
H 33.08 in W 27.96 in D 32.29 in
Swedish sheepskin lounge chair, attributed to Erik Bertil Karlén, 1940s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Uppsala, SE
Mid-century Swedish modern curved easy chair, attributed to Erik Bertil Karlén from the 1940s. New sheepskin upholstery with brown leather buttons on the back. Legs and armrests of b...
Sheepskin, Birch
Sold
H 31.89 in W 24.02 in D 26.38 in
Easy Chairs Attributed to Erik Bertil Karlén Produced by Firma Rumsinteriör
By Eric Karlén
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of easy chairs attributed to Erik Bertil Karlén. Produced by Firma Rumsinteriör in Sweden.
Fabric, Beech
Eric Bertil Karlén Pair of Lounge Chairs, Sweden, 1940s
By Eric Karlén, Firma Rumsinteriör
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare pair of lounge chairs was designed by Eric Bertil Karlén and produced by his company Firma Rumsinteriör in Sweden in the 1940s.
Fabric, Wool, Linen, Upholstery, Wood, Elm
Sold
H 32.29 in W 61.42 in D 29.93 in
Eric Bertil Karlén Sofa in Green Dedar Bouclé and Beech, Sweden, 1940s.
By Eric Karlén, Firma Rumsinteriör
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare sofa was designed by Eric Bertil Karlén and produced by his company Firma Rumsinteriör in Sweden in the 1940s.
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Beech
Easy Chair Designed by Erik Bertil Karlén, Sweden, 1950s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Stockholm, SE
Produced by Firma Rums Interiör, Sweden, 1950s. Oak and newly reupholstered in sheepskin with cognac leather buttons.
Sheepskin, Oak
$6,989 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Hardwood
$2,800 / set
H 17.5 in W 10.5 in D 6.5 in
Pair of Art Deco Style Murano Smoked Glass Wall Sconces, Italy Contemporary
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Art Deco style Murano smoked glass wall lights, contemporary Smoked / fume color and horizontal striation texture Black opaline finial and brass accents Art Deco inspired de...
Brass
Capiz Shell Table Lamp, Model Cornelia
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cornelia Table Lamp is a lamp that is made from capiz shells which gives the material an irregular structure. This makes each lamp unique, something that adds to its character and pe...
Brass
$9,240 / item
H 21.66 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Pair Various Positions Nightstand in Walnut and Oak by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Inspired by his fascination with the aesthetic allure of interiors depicted in films and literature, Yaniv Chen endeavors to capture the essence of captivating spaces. Reflecting upo...
Oak, Walnut
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Wood, Oak
$663Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razorblade, Denmark, Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and beige boucle. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. Model: Razor...
Oak
$2,860 / item
H 29.93 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Ethnic Straw Armchair by +55design Brazilian Design with Indigenous Craft
By Neca Abrantes
Located in Jardim America, SP
This rotating armchair by Neca Abrantes is a striking fusion of contemporary Brazilian design and indigenous handcrafted traditions. Known for her deep passion for native craftsmansh...
Straw
$1,184 / item
H 32.29 in W 21.66 in D 19.69 in
Shell Dining Chair, Linen Schwarzwald Dedar, by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Springy, very comfortable and stabile dining seats. They are contemporary chairs inspired of 1960s style. They can be used as armchairs and dining chairs. Chair was designed by Vi...
Bouclé, Velvet, Beech, Linen
Mamun Bedside (Dark Brown/Dusty Blue)
Located in Singapore, SG
Mamun, which translates to trustworthy in Arabic, was designed by Studio Kallang in 2021 as a playful take on both midcentury and brutalist forms. Designer Faezah Shaharuddin intende...
Teak
Frosted Murano Glass Wall Sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Frosted Murano glass wall sconces with brass hardware holding four sources of light.
Brass
$6,728 / set
H 24.01 in W 18.12 in D 14.18 in
Pair of Park Night Stands in Noir Oxblood Lacquer by Yaniv Chen for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Park nightstand is the epitome of exquisite craftsmanship, featuring meticulously proportioned dimensions and exceptional detailing that make it an ideal bedside companion. Our f...
Lacquer
$3,536 / item
H 16.93 in W 46.46 in D 14.18 in
Kai Kristiansen Upholstered Bench in Fumed Oak and Mohair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen, a key figure in the Danish Modern movement, designed the Entre Series in 1956 as a modular collection of bedside cabinets, benches, and chests. Combining Danish desi...
Velvet, Oak
LU Swing Sconce
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful brass LU swing sconce made by Lumfardo Luminaires in patinated brass. Wired with an E26 medium based socket. Light bulb provided as well as all mounting hardware. Priced in...
Brass
$5,950 / set
H 16 in W 13.5 in D 4 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Murano Glass Wall Sconces in Smoked Silver Finish
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Murano sconces in smoked and silver glass. We loved the organic shape of the sconces and their dynamic design. This pair has been newly wired to fit US standards and is in ve...
Murano Glass
$7,582 / set
H 31.5 in W 18.9 in D 16.54 in
Eight Mid Century Modern Bumerang Chairs, Brown Beige Velvet, Poland, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
The “Bumerang Chair” is a characteristic piece of furniture from the Polish People’s Republic (PRL) era. Its name comes from the distinctive shape of the backrest, resembling a boome...
Leather, Textile, Wool, Beech
Mid-Century Modern Bench in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bench, walnut, faux leather, Europe, 1950s This European bench from the 1950s combines a walnut frame with black faux leather upholstery. The design is straightforward and functiona...
Faux Leather, Walnut
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
In an innovative display, the Designmuseum Danmark is permanently exhibiting the 20th century's most iconic seats.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the 10 our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.