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.
Carl Malmsten Swedish Lounge Chair, 1950s, Mohair Velvet by Chase Erwin
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in London, GB
A Swedish lounge chair designed by Carl Malmsten and made by O.H. Sjögren in Tranås in the 1950s. A well-proportioned piece that's very comfortable, with an elegant, graceful shape t...
Mohair
Mid-Century "Staken" Floor Lamp by Carl Malmsten, Adjustable, Sweden, 40s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Göteborg, SE
Staken floor lamp designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, circa 1940s. An elegant example from one of Sweden's most celebrated furniture designers and a defining voice of Swedish Modern ...
Paper, Beech
Carl Malmsten 'Visingsö' 3 Seater Sofa c.1960s made from solid pine
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
Carl Malmsten ‘Visingsö’ 3-Seater Sofa, c.1960s Solid pine frame H78 x W205 x D78 cm Made in Sweden This elegant three-seater sofa is part of the ‘Visingsö’ series, designed by Swed...
Pine
Carl Malmsten rocking arm chair of birch, model Lille Åland
By Stolab, Carl Malmsten
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Carl Malmsten rocking armchair in solid birch. With cushion of lambskin. Model Lille Åland, made by Stolab
Pine, Lambskin, Birch
Scandinavian Modern Bookcases in Pine Set Of 2, Svensk Fur, ca 1960's
By Svensk Fur, Carl Malmsten
Located in Örebro, SE
Scandinavian Modern bookcases with a cabinet in pine set of 2, Carl Malmsten for Svensk Fur, ca 1960's. The upper section (cabinet with shelfs) is removable. Both are signed with mak...
Pine
Swedish Modern Sofa by Carl Malmsten 1940's
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Örebro, SE
Rare Swedish modern sofa with lovely shape, by Carl Malmsten ca -1940's. Good vintage condition, wear and patina consistent with age, some light stains.
Fabric, Birch
Bench in Solid Pine by Carl Malmsten, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Lejre, DK
Bench in Scandinavian solid pine. Designed by Carl Malmsten, 1960s.
Pine
Carl Malmsten Oak "Visingsö" Sofa for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
The famous “Visingsö” series demonstrates Carl Malmsten’s fine sense of proportion, line tension and balance between the surfaces, and how skilfully he carried in the heritage of tra...
Bouclé, Oak
Coffee table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Chorzów, PL
Teak coffee table designed by Swedish designer Carl Malmsten. Made in Sweden in the 1960s. Very good condition, after renovation. The wood has been cleaned and finished with a dura...
Teak
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...
Fabric, Upholstery, Birch
Scandinavian modern pine coffee table by Carl Malmsten, 1950s, Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Rare coffee table in pine designed by Carl Malmsten during the 1950s. Goes perfectly together with other so called sports cabin furniture.
Pine
Carl Malmsten Boucle Samsas Lounge Chair, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
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...
Wool, Beech
Coffee table "Ovalen" in teak by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Brescia, IT
Coffee table model "Ovalen" in teak, designed by Carl Malmsten, with original manufacturer's label. Coffee table model "Ovalen" in teak, designed by Carl Malmsten and accompanied by...
Teak
Scandinavian Modern Carl Malmsten Solid Pine Visingsö Stools
By Carl Malmsten, Svensk Fur
Located in Kramfors, SE
Visingsö stools by Carl Malmsten for Svensk Fur made in solid pine. The stools are minimalistic design with a clean shape and elegantly curved edges. Designed by Carl Malmsten in 195...
Pine
Sofa in Pine and White Bouclé Fabric by Carl Malmsten, 1936
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Sofa in Pine and Newly Reupholstered in White Bouclé Fabric by Carl Malmsten, 1936 Additional Information: Material: Pine and newly reupholstered in white Bouclé fabric Style: Mid c...
Pine, Fabric
Set of two pine lounge chairs "Stugan" by Carl Malmsten, Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Klintehamn, SE
Early set of pine lounge chairs by Swedish designer Carl Malmsten. "Stugan" (The cottage) was his answer to the new demand of pine furniture for the summer houses that was developing...
Pine
Carl Malmsten Benches Model Visingsö Produced by Svensk fur in Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare pair of benches model Visingsö designed by Carl Malmsten. Produced by Svensk fur in Sweden.
Pine
Carl Malmsten “Stugan” Armchairs for Karl Andersson & Söner, Sweden 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
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 (...
Fabric, Oak
Carl Malmsten "Gamla Stan" Armchairs, Sweden ca 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
Carl Malmsten has designed over 1000 different furniture models, most of which were named, giving his models even more character. “Gamla Stan”, Swedish for ...
Fabric, Wood
“Farmor” Armchairs by Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden, 1956
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
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, wh...
Fabric, Wood
$23,500 / item
1956 'Sampsel' Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
The 1956 'Sampsel' Sofa by Carl Malmsten is a timeless design steeped in history. Its classic lines and minimalist aesthetic make for a comfortable yet modern experience. This mid-ce...
Wood
Two-Seat Sofa in New Grey Wool Upholstery Named 'Samas' by Carl Malmsten
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A beautifully reupholstered quality grey wool two-seat sofa by Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjogren of Sweden. A Classic comfortable scandy cool sofa.
“Alltid Redo” Coffee Table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
“All edges must be thoroughly broken”, Carl Malmsten often wrote in his drawings. It was nature that was his great source of inspiration, and in nature there are hardly any sharp edg...
Wood
Carl Malmsten Easy Chairs Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of 6 easy chairs designed by Carl Malmsten. Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden. Matching coffee table by Malmsten is also available.
Pine
Swedish vintage stool "Visingsö" by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Brescia, IT
"Visingsö" stool by Carl Malmsten in pine, with rounded top and exposed dowels: essential, warm, authentic. Designed by Carl Malmsten, the "Visingsö" stool enhances pine with a thic...
Pine
Set of 4 chairs by Carl Malmsten "Lilac Aland"
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Brescia, IT
Original vintage Scandinavian dining chairs. This chair model that has become iconic is distinguished by its unique backrest structure consisting of eight vertical wooden stems. The...
Wood
Scandinavian birch coffee tables signed Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Brescia, IT
Pair of birch wood bedside tables designed in the 1960s by Carl Malmsten, as noted by the stamp of authenticity. The soft lines of the top and legs make these elegant nightstands tim...
Birch
Mid Century Modern Swedish Teak Coffee Table by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid-Century Modern teak coffee table by renowned Swedish furniture designer Carl Malmsten (1888-1972). Detailed corners and rounded butterfly legs. A w...
Teak
Desk Fryklund in pine by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Göteborg, SE
The desk "Fryklund" by Carl Malmsten in pine is a classic and timeless high-quality piece of furniture, designed to suit both modern and traditional home interiors. Made from solid p...
Pine
Carl Malmsten, Set of "Sledge" Nesting Tables, Sweden, circa 1948
By Carl Malmsten
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury nesting tables with teak marquetry by Swedish designer Carl Malmsten.
Beech, Teak
$592Sale Price / item|44% Off
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...
Wood
Sculpted Cocktail Table by Carl Malmsten, 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A remarkable and elegant Cuban mahogany round center table with a sculpted tripod base.
Mahogany
Carl Malmsten “Samsas” Armchair for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
“Samsas” is for many the most associated model with Carl Malmsten. The designer devoted his life to the renewal of traditional Swedish craftsmanship, inspired by Swedish country mano...
Bouclé, Wood
Carl Malmsten "Stugan" Armchair for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1950s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
Carl Malmsten is one of Sweden's most famous furniture designers. Many of his furniture are considered modern design classics. His present 'Stugan' (Cottage or Cabin in Swedish) armc...
Bouclé, Wood
Sitzgruppe Karl Andersson and Sner Carl Malmsten 2 Bänke + Tisch
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten eine wunderschöne und äußerst seltene Pinienholz Sitzgruppe vom schwedischen Hersteller Karl Andersson & Sner zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Carl Malmsten und ...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Price Upon Request
Rare High Back Chair with Pillow by Carl Malmsten, circa 1940
By Carl Malmsten
Located in New York, NY
Rare and comfortable high back chair with pillow attached by leather straps. New Upholstery and mahogany excellent condition. Carl Malmsten (Swedish 1888-1972) High back chair w...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Price Upon Request
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...
Upholstery