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.
Pair of Vintage Swedish Cirkus Armchairs by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stylish and iconic pair of vintage Swedish Cirkus armchairs by Carl Malmsten. They were made in Sweden, and they date from around the 1960’s. This is a very rare model, they are o...
Bouclé, Wood
Pair of Vintage Swedish Samsas Armchairs by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of vintage Swedish Samsas armchairs by Carl Malmsten. They were recently imported from Sweden, they date from around the 1960’s. The quality is absolutely outstandin...
Bouclé, Beech
"Jonas Love" Armchair with Blue Upholstery by Carl Malmsten, Sweden Mid-20th C
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
By the mid 20th century, Carl Malmsten became one of the most sought-after interior and furniture designers in all of Sweden. As a furniture maker he expressed the old, inherited for...
Fabric, Wood
Swedish Modern Two Seater Wooden Sofa in Pine & Sheepskin by Carl Malmsten 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare and early Swedish mid century wooden two seater sofa model "Stugan" in stained pine by Carl Malmsten produced by his workshop in the 1940s. In good original condition wit...
Sheepskin, Pine
Pair of Vintage Swedish Carl Malmsten Hemmakvall Armchairs
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Atlanta, GA
MCM Pair of Swedish Hemmakvall armchairs by Carl Malmsten in original fabric circa 1956. Very comfortable! Original upholstery has flaws. Price listed includes reupholstery in COM....
Wool
Vintage Swedish Samsas Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stunning and extremely comfortable vintage Swedish Samsas sofa by Carl Malmsten. This was recently imported from Sweden, it dates from the 1960’s. This is of extremely high qualit...
Bouclé, Beech
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
Carl Malmsten Bench Model Visingsö Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bench model Visingsö designed by Carl Malmsten. Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden.
Pine
Pair of Vintage Swedish Samsas Armchairs by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of vintage Swedish Samsas armchairs by Carl Malmsten. They were recently imported from Sweden, they date from around the 1960’s. The quality is absolutely outstandin...
Bouclé, Beech
Carl Malmsten, Sofa, Velvet, Birch, Sweden, 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in High Point, NC
A purple velvet and birch sofa, designed and produced by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, c. 1940s. Seat Height (inches): 15.75" Arm Height (inches): 23.75" All items ship from High Point, ...
Velvet, Birch
Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Carl Malmsten, Set of 8
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautifully restored Swedish Modern Gustavian Style vintage dining chair set by renowned Swedish furniture designer Carl Malmsten. Eight sturdy chairs newly reupholstered in Belgi...
Linen, Wood
"Oskar" Armchair by Carl Malmsten for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1930s
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
The ‘Oskar’ armchair was designed in 1939, the same year that Carl Malmsten participated in the New York World’s Fair. It was there that the expression “Swedish Modern” was coined, b...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Swedish Armchair by Carl Malmsten
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stylish and extremely comfortable vintage Swedish armchair by Carl Malmsten. This model is very rare, it is an early model made by O.H. Sjogren. We have recently imported it from S...
Bouclé, Wood
1950s Vintage Sofa by Carl Malmsten, Oak Frame, Fabric Upholstery
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage sofa sofa Carl Malmsten Sweden period 1950s design Carl Malmsten OH. Sjogren's Sweden condition good light signs of use size 77 x 205 x 78 (hxwxd) seat height 43; ...
Fabric, Oak
Carl Malmsten "Visingsö" Bench in Solid Pine, Sweden 1950s
By Carl Malmsten, Svensk Fur
Located in Utrecht, NL
This bench was part of the famous “Visingsö” series by Carl Malmsten who is one of Sweden’s most celebrated furniture designers. This bench stands as a hallmark of Scandinavian desig...
Pine
Carl Malmsten "Lillasyster" Easy Chair for OH Sjögren, Sweden 20th Century
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Utrecht, NL
Carl Malmsten’s “Lillasyster” (little sister) easy chair is a stunning representation of the Swedish designer’s craftsmanship and creativity. “Neither light, nor eyes, nor people lik...
Fabric, Wood
Swedish "Visingsö" Bench in Pine by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Karlstad, SE
Bench with beautiful proportions and details by Carl Malmsten for Svensk Fur, Sweden. Condition: Very good original condition with a nice patina.
Pine
Carl Malmsten Seating Group Produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of 6 easy chairs and coffee table designed by Carl Malmsten. Produced by Svensk fur in Sweden. Dimensions easy chairs (W x D x H): 45 x 52 x 74.5 cm, SH: 34.5 cm. Dimensio...
Pine
Carl Malmsten and Yngve Ekström Pair of "Caryngo" Chairs
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese, Carl Malmsten
Located in Long Island City, NY
The Caryngo chair was a collaboration between the great Swedish designers Carl Malmsten and Yngve Ekström, for Ekström’s furniture manufacturing company Swedese. The original saddle ...
Leather, Oak
$1,664Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of three Carl Malmsten dining chairs in solid Oregon pine, Sweden 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Ystad, SE
Set of Three Carl Malmsten Dining Chairs in Solid Oregon Pine, Sweden, 1960s A refined set of three dining chairs designed by Carl Malmsten...
Pine
Sheepskin Samspel Sofa by Carl Malmsten, 1956
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten 'Samspel' sofa This iconic piece of Swedish furniture was designed in 1956 by master cabinetmaker Carl Malmsten. It was produced by AB Record in Bollnas, Sweden. Thi...
Sheepskin, Beech
$14,552 / set
Pair of Carl Malmsten of Armchairs, circa 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten Armchairs, circa 1950s A pair of upholstered armchairs from Swedish master: Carl Malmsten. This model is a lighter variation on the Samsas chair with taller legs. Th...
Bouclé, Beech
Carl Malmsten, Lounge Chair, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in High Point, NC
A pine and blue fabric lounge chair, model Fjäderbrickan, designed and produced by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, c. 1960s. In good vintage condition, with visible wear consistent with age ...
Fabric, Pine
Swedish Leather Samsas Round Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
This is an absolutely stunning and iconic design. It’s the Swedish Leather Samsas Round Sofa designed by Carl Malmsten in the 1920’s. This model was made in Sweden in the mid 20th ce...
Leather, Wood
Carl Malmsten "Samspel" Sofa for Ab Record, Sweden 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
This model “Samspel” sofa was first introduced at the exhibition at Röhsska Museet (the Swedish Museum of Design and Crafts) in Gothenburg in 1956. The model’s name means ‘interactio...
Wool, Wood
Vintage Swedish Samspel Armchair by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stylish and extremely well made vintage Swedish Samspel armchair by Carl Malmsten. It was made in Sweden, it dates from around the 1960’s. This is of exceptional quality and is ex...
Bouclé, Wood
$2,680 / set
Pair of "Lata Greven" armchairs by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Brescia, IT
Pair of Swedish armchairs with a wrap-around profile, integrated armrests and light-colored upholstery with a textured, elegant and understated texture. Designed by Carl Malmsten ar...
Fabric, Beech
Carl Malmsten "Åldermannen" Winged Armchairs for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Utrecht, NL
Carl Malmsten’s life's work spans nearly sixty intense years and his legacy is considered a national treasure in Sweden. He created a number of furniture classics including these rar...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Swedish Samsas Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stunning and extremely comfortable vintage Swedish Samsas sofa by Carl Malmsten. This was recently imported from Sweden, it dates from the 1960’s. This is of extremely high qualit...
Bouclé, Beech
Carl Malmsten "Åldermannen" Winged Armchair for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1950s
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Utrecht, NL
Carl Malmsten’s life's work spans nearly sixty intense years and his legacy is considered a national treasure in Sweden. He created a number of furniture classics including this rare...
Bouclé, Wood
Carl Malmsten "Stora Furulid" Armchair for OPE-Möbler Jönköping, Sweden 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
There is a certain “Malmstenesque” charm to the Swedish designer’s pieces that manifests in the gentle but defined curves, cosy appearance and in the modern way Carl Malmsten skilfully carried the heritage of traditional allmoge (folk art) design. The expression “Swedish Modern” was first used at the 1939 New York World Fair, when the designer introduced the model “Oskar”. Similarly to that model, Malmsten remained a traditionalist, mainly concerned with comfort regarding the “Stora Furulid...
Fabric, Wood
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
Carl Malmsten, Lounge Chairs, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine and blue fabric lounge chairs, model Visingsö, designed and produced by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Vintage fabric in fair cond...
Fabric, Pine
Vintage Swedish Samsas Armchair by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stylish and iconic vintage Swedish Samsas armchair by Carl Malmsten. It was made in Sweden, it dates from around the 1960’s. This is of exceptional quality and is extremely comfor...
Bouclé, 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
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
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
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
Classical Carl Malmsten sofa 40s design, Green wool model "nya Berlin" original
By Carl Malmsten, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Forest, BE
This is a 3 seater long sofa in original green wool by master Carl Malmsten. The fabric is in good overall condition with some light traces. Carl Malmsten (December 7, 1888 – Augus...
Pine
Carl Malmsten, Lounge Chairs, Oak, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of oak and brown fabric lounge chairs designed and produced by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 36.0"H x 24.6"W x 29.0"D Seat Height (inches): 1...
Fabric, Oak
Carl Malmsten Samspel Sofa in Wool Velvet 1950s
By Carl Malmsten, Dagmar
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten - Samspel Sofa, 1956 The Samspel sofa was designed in 1956 and first produced by AB Record in Bollnäs, Sweden. It is one of the finest pieces to be designed by Malmste...
Mohair, Velvet, Wool, Oak
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
Carl Malmsten Pine Bench – Nordic Craftsmanship, Sweden, 1960
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Dronten, NL
This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a genuine icon of Scandinavian design: a solid pine bench by the legendary Swedish master Carl Malmsten. Executed with a profound respec...
Pine
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair by Carl Malmsten, Beechwood, Sweden
By Carl Malmsten, AB Stilarmatur Tranås, O.H. Sjögren
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish nest, reading lounge chair made of hand crafted polished Beechwood, designed by Carl Malmsten, produced by O.H. Sjögren and AB Stilarmatur Tranås in good condition. The seat backrest of the small Scandinavian center chair is slightly inclined with arched armrests, composed with a detachable seat cushion, standing on four short wooden feet. Manufacturer label at the bottom. Newly upholstered in a white bouclé fabric. Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1960 - 1980, Sweden, Scandinavia. Measures: Seat: 19" H x 30" W x 23" D Carl Malmsten was a famous Swedish furniture designer, architect, and educator born in 1888, in Sweden and passed away in 1972. He collaborated with Gunnar Asplund and Uno Ahren. Malmsten has a lasting influence on Swedish design through the two schools which he founded, the Carl Malmsten furniture studies. In 1945, Malmsten was honored for a design with an inaugural Prince Eugen Medal in Sweden. O.H. Sjögren is one of the oldest Swedish furniture companies which is run by the fourth generation. The company was originally founded in circa 1870 by C. Rosén in Tranås, Sweden. In 1902, the Swedish manufacturer ( known today as O.H. Sjögren ) was taken over by Oskar Herbert Sjögren. In the early times, they were producing harnesses, saddles, etc. for horses. Later on, in the 1930’s, when the sons of Sjögren, Gustav and Olle Sjögren...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech
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
Carl Malmsten, Lounge Chair, Velvet, Birch, Sweden, c. 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in High Point, NC
A purple velvet and light birch lounge chair, designed and produced by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, c. 1940s. Seat Height (inches): 16.75" Arm Height (inches): 23.63" All items ship fro...
Velvet, Birch
Carl Malmsten "Hemmakväll" Sofa for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1956
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Utrecht, NL
Carl Malmsten devoted his life to the renewal of Swedish craftsmanship, inspired to create furniture endowed with a creative simplicity, with functionality in mind and a high technic...
Fabric, Pine
$9,800 / set
Carl Malmsten Visingo Chairs
By Carl Malmsten
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Carl Malmsten Visingo Chairs all original. A spectacular pair of Carl Malmsten Visingo Chairs for AB O.H. Sjogren Stoppmobler in Oak. In good original condition complete wi...
Oak
Set of four Swedish midcentury pine dining chairs by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Set of four Scandinavian modern pine dining chairs designed by Carl Malmsten during the 1960s. Fits together perfectly with other sports cabin furniture from Sweden. Beautiful o...
Pine
Carl Malmsten "Stugan" Armchair for O.H. Sjögren, Sweden 1950s
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
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
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
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.
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
$588Sale Price / item|44% Off
1950ies Solid Pine Chairs Designed by Carl Malmsten for Svensk Fur
By Carl Malmsten, Svensk Fur
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
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
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 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
Carl Malmsten Hangsits armchair in solid pine and green fabric c. 1947
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
An exceedingly rare chair designed by Carl Malmsten. The “hangsits” armchair, c. 1947 in solid pine and original green fabric. From Sweden these chairs weren’t offered as knock down furniture...
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
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