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.
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
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
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
Carl Malmsten, Lounge Chairs, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine and red fabric lounge chairs designed and produced by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 37.5"H x 24.75"W x 25.5"D Seat Height (inches): 1...
Fabric, 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
Carl Malmsten 'Berg' Three Legged Coffee Table in Burl Elmwood, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in The Hague, NL
This elegant side table was designed by Carl Malmsten and produced by his company in Sweden in the 1960s. This is a rare variant of his iconic 'Berg' model, with a larger square top ...
Elm, Burl
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
Cabinet con ripiani a vista “Visingsö” di Carl Malmsten per Svensk Fur, anni ’50
By Carl Malmsten, Svensk Fur
Located in Brescia, IT
Cabinet con ripiani a vista modello “Visingsö” di Carl Malmsten per Svensk Fur, in legno laccato beige e grigio antracite, anni ’50. Cabinet con ripiani a vista della serie “Visings...
Beech
Carl Malmsten, Visingsö, Dining table, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Paris, FR
Carl Malmsten (Sweden, 1888-1972) Visingsö A rectangular pine wood dining table on four feet assembled by two on each side and joined by an arched base. Sweden. 1960s.
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
$579Sale 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
Pair of Candlesticks, Model No. 7 by Carl Malmsten (1888–1972) for Liljeholmens
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of candlesticks, Model No. 7, designed by Carl Malmsten for Liljeholmens. Crafted in stained wood with a square base and round candle socket for taper candles. Each piece retain...
Wood
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
Carl Malmsten Coffee Table Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table designed by Carl Malmsten. Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden.
Pine
$1,400
Carl Malmsten Stool
By Carl Malmsten
Located in San Francisco, CA
Carl Malmsten stool simple but elegant hand made craftsmanship with signature leg construction, Sweden.
Pine
Carl Malmsten Candle Holders- Set of Four, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare set of four candle holders designed by Carl Malmsten. Has an elegant swedish craftsman feel to them. These have been used and show signs of such. All are marked on bottom
Wood
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
A Pair of "Stora Furulid” Armchairs by Carl Malmsten, Sweden 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
There is a certain “Malmsten-esque” charm to the Swedish designer’s pieces that manifests in the gentle but defined curves and cosy appearance. The expression “Swedish Modern” was ...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Swedish Cirkus Armchair by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stylish and iconic vintage Swedish Cirkus armchair by Carl Malmsten. It was made in Sweden, it dates from around the 1960’s. This is a very rare model, it is of exceptional qualit...
Bouclé, Wood
“Farmor” Armchair 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
“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
Pair of Carl Malmsten Turned Birch Candleholders for Liljeholmens, Sweden, 1920s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Göteborg, SE
Beautifully crafted in turned birch, this rare pair of candleholders was designed by iconic Swedish designer Carl Malmsten for Liljeholmens Stearinfabrik in the 1920s. Best known for...
Birch
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
Vintage Swedish Armchair by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stylish and extremely comfortable vintage Swedish armchair by Carl Malmsten. This model is very rare, it is called the ‘Stora Furulid’. We have recently imported it from Sweden, it...
Fabric, Wood
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
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
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
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
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
“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
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