Retro Scandinavian Design
1970s Swedish Retro Scandinavian Design
Wood
Mid-20th Century Retro Scandinavian Design
Wool
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Teak
Mid-20th Century Spanish Retro Scandinavian Design
Leather, Wood
1970s European Other Retro Scandinavian Design
Elm
1950s Danish Retro Scandinavian Design
Sheepskin, Oak
1980s Scandinavian Retro Scandinavian Design
Crystal, Metal
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Canvas, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Fabric, Oak
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Teak
1970s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Metal
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Fabric, Wood
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Lambskin, Fabric, Teak
1960s Scandinavian Retro Scandinavian Design
Beech
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Wool, Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Wool
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Leather, Beech
1970s Dutch Brutalist Retro Scandinavian Design
Enamel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Faux Leather, Teak, Plywood
1970s Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Art Glass
1950s German Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Rope, Wood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Pine
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Metal
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Steel
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Beech
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Stoneware
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Teak
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Ash
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Pine
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Pine
1970s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Beech
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Fabric, Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Wool, Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Fabric, Teak
Late 20th Century Scandinavian Space Age Retro Scandinavian Design
Enamel
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Leather, Teak
1990s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Glass
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Wool
1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Fabric, Wood, Teak
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Brass
1960s German Retro Scandinavian Design
Upholstery, Cherry
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Laminate, Wenge
1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Pine
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Pine
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Steel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Faux Leather, Teak
1960s Danish Retro Scandinavian Design
Suede, Teak
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Ash, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Retro Scandinavian Design
Silver
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Retro Scandinavian Design For Sale on 1stDibs
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A Close Look at scandinavian-modern Furniture
Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged in the 1930s
- Originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden and Finland
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus and modernism; influenced American mid-century modernism
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries
- Use of natural materials — native woods such as pine, ash and beech
- Open, airy spaces
- Promotion of functionality
- Emphasis on craftsmanship; rooted in cabinetry profession and traditional construction techniques
- Minimal ornamentation (little to no embellishment)
- A neutral or light color palette owing to prominence of light woods
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Alvar Aalto
- Hans Wegner
- Kaare Klint
- Arne Jacobsen
- Greta Magnusson Grossman
- Finn Juhl
- Arne Vodder
- Verner Panton
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
- What is Scandinavian design?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 11, 2019
Scandinavian design, associated with the countries of Northern Europe, is characterized by simplicity, functionality and beauty,
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Because Scandinavian design focuses on craftsmanship and clean lines, it is a style that lasts the test of time. Designed to maximize light and focusing on minimalism and functionality, it is very aesthetically pleasing.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetry help define what Scandinavian modern design looks like. For furniture, designers working in this style often use native woods such as pine, ash and beech, giving pieces a light color palette. The emphasis of Scandinavian modern design is on functionality over ornamentation, so most furnishings have little to no decorative embellishment. Some iconic examples of Scandinavian modern design include Arne Jacobsen's Ant chair, Greta Magnusson-Grossman's Grasshopper table lamp, Alvar Aalto's Stool 60, Poul Henningsen's Artichoke lamp and Hans J. Wegner's Wishbone chair. On 1stDibs, explore a wide variety of Scandinavian modern furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 2, 2023
There isn’t much of a difference between Nordic and Scandinavian design in that when it comes to furniture and decor, the descriptors “Nordic” and “Scandinavian” are often used interchangeably. The term Scandinavia is primarily used to refer to Denmark, Norway and Sweden. (It is sometimes inclusive of Iceland and Finland, too.) The Nordic region of the world also includes the likes of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden as well as Iceland, Finland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland.
Scandinavian modernism is a warm and organic iteration of modernist design that chiefly originated in Denmark, Sweden and Finland during the 1930s. It was introduced to the United States during the mid-20th century and had a profound influence on American mid-century modern design.
Scandinavian modernists are known for their emphasis on craftsmanship and use of natural materials such as ash, pine and beech. Scandi interiors are minimalist, bright and airy, and feature neutral palettes and classic shapes.
Characteristics of the work of such Scandinavian modernists such as Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl and Greta Magnusson Grossman include bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries. Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
For design enthusiasts all over the world, the promotion of functionality and simplicity associated with Scandinavian modernism and Nordic design continues to prove irresistible.
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