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 “Vidar” Beech Rocking Chair, Sweden, Late 20th Century
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hammarö, SE
Designed by the celebrated Swedish designer Carl Malmsten, the “Vidar” rocking chair is a refined expression of Scandinavian craftsmanship, where comfort, functionality, and timeless...
Textile, Beech
Carl Malmsten rocking arm chair of birch, model Lille Åland
By Carl Malmsten, Stolab
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Carl Malmsten rocking armchair in solid birch. With cushion of lambskin. Model Lille Åland, made by Stolab
Pine, Lambskin, Birch
Restored Rare Snake Arm Rattan Rocking Child Chair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A rare Paul Frankl inspired one-strand snake arm childrens size rattan rocking chair with stick rattan seat. Professionally restored to original specificat...
Wicker, Rattan
Early 20th Century Old Hickory Adirondack Style Rocking Chair
Located in Memphis, TN
An Old Hickory Adirondack-style rocking chair, crafted with a rustic wood frame and woven seat, back, and arms. The chair’s generous proportions...
Natural Fiber, Rattan, Wood, Pine
Carl Malmsten 'Redet' Lounge Chair
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carl Malmsten, ‘Redet’ lounge chair, stained mahogany, reupholstered in Métaphores “Eden Citrine” fabric, Sweden, design 1936, production 1937. Crafted in 1937, the 'Redet' easy cha...
Fabric, Mahogany
Late 19th Century George Hunzinger "Lollipop" Rocking Chair
By George Hunzinger
Located in Southampton, NJ
A classic lollipop rocking chair by George Hunzinger, considered among the first ever designs to anticipate the modern age. The German emigrant arrived in New York in the mid 19th ce...
Metal
$4,665
H 28.75 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
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
Frank Reenskaug rocking chair model no.182
By Bramin Mobler, Frank Reenskaug
Located in Diest, BE
Danish Modern teak Model 182 rocking chair, designed by Frank Reenskaug for Bramin. A classic piece of Danish design. Small repair done on the top wooden backrest on the right see ph...
Wood
$2,898Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 27 in W 30 in D 36 in
Rare Restored Pretzel Arm Rattan Rocking Chair with Ottoman
By Herb Ritts, Ritts Tropitan
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A rare three-strand pretzel arm rattan rocking chair with matching ottoman. This chair features steam bent rattan frame with Art Moderne styled pink flamingo covered cushions, circa ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Mid 20th Century American Snocraft Snowshoe Woven Rocking Chair
By SnoCraft
Located in Memphis, TN
A Snocraft snowshoe rocking chair crafted in Norway, Maine, likely dating to the 1960s or 70s. The chair was crafted using traditional snowshoe...
Bentwood
$8,160 / set
H 28.15 in W 27.96 in D 27.96 in
Pair of “New Berlin” Easy Chairs by Carl Malmsten, Sweden 20th Century
By O.H. Sjögren, Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
These “New Berlin” chairs are among Swedish icon Carl Malmsten’s rarer models. The dark wood, the beautiful upholstery and timeless, clean design makes the “New Berlin” model a beaut...
Fabric, Wood
Carl Malmsten, Sofa, Birch, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in High Point, NC
A birch and light-grey fabric sofa designed and produced by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.0"H x 78.5"W x 27.75"D Seat Height (inches): 16.75" Ar...
Fabric, Wood, Birch
$5,700
H 33 in W 27.5 in D 25.5 in
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
$1,193
H 35.04 in W 23.04 in D 24.81 in
Model IW3 Rocking Chair by Illum Wikkelsø, Danish Modern, 1960s
By Illum Wikkelsø
Located in Rødding, DK
Model IW3 rocking chair by Danish designer Illum Wikkelsø, designed in 1958. The chair has a light, open construction with a broad wooden seat, tall spindle back and long curved rock...
Oak
Hans J. Wegner Model J16 Rocking Chair, 1961
By Hans J. Wegner, FDB Møbler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful model J16 rocking chair by Hans Wegner for FDB Møbler, designed in 1944, in light-gray painted beech with woven paper cord seat. This example was produced in 1961, features...
Papercord, Beech
Rocking Chair Tapiovaara Model Fanett Scandinavian, 1960s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Finland rocking chair by Tapiovaara Model Fanett, 1960s.
Beech
$1,364
H 43.31 in W 21.66 in D 47.25 in
Bentwood Rocking Chair Attributed to Thonet, Early 20th Century
By Thonet
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Classic Vienna Secession style bentwood rocking chair with embossed wooden seat and back, and beautiful scrolling base. Refinished in glossy black.