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.
Sideboard “Calmare Nyckel”, Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Sideboard in oak designed by Carl Malmsten as part of the “Calmare Nyckel” series. The piece features four framed cabinet doors and a decorative drawers with carved circular motifs...
Oak
Cabinet Model "Lillbo" by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Karlstad, SE
Elegant cabinet in walnut, model “Lillbo” designed by Carl Malmsten. The piece is raised on slender legs, giving it a light and architectural presence, while the upper cabinet and lo...
Wood
Midcentury chest of drawers by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Lovely chest of drawers by Carl Malmsten, made from birch with clean lines. Veneer laid in a striking graphic pattern.
Birch
Scandinavian Bookcase in Pine by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Karlstad, SE
A beautiful shelf designed by Carl Malmsten, manufactured in his own studio, 1940s. This piece goes together well with pine furniture from other Swedish designers from the era, suc...
Pine
Midcentury "Tulip Rose" chest of drawers by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1930s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful chest of drawers by Carl Malmsten, model called “Tulipanros” (“Tulip Rose”), made in mahogany and root veneer laid in an elegant pattern. Graphic decor on the drawer fronts...
Birch
Carl Malmsten Swedish Grace Executive Desk
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Atlanta, GA
An inlaid rosewood and flame birch desk with locking drawer, filing cabinet and pullout drawers. Various wood inlay. Finished on all sides. Knee hole...
Rosewood
Swedish Grace Vitrine Bookcase, Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1930s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant bookcase with vitrine doors by Carl Malmsten, perfect for organizing favorite books and objects. Made from mahogany with woodgrain laid in contrasting directions.
Glass, Mahogany
$11,900Sale Price|57% Off
Unique Swedish Art Deco, Modern Neoclassical Cabinet, Carl Malmsten Signed, 1932
By Carl Malmsten
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Important 'Swedish Grace' sideboard, cupboard or buffet by Swedish Master, Carl Malmsten delicately constructed of inlaid birch and elmwood depicting a scene of Saint Geor...
Birch, Ebony, Maple
Carl Malmsten pine cabinet, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s. Produced in Sweden. Good condition.
Pine
Pair of Carl Malmsten “Visingsö” Shelving Units in Pine, Svensk Fur, 1950s
By Svensk Fur, Carl Malmsten
Located in Odense, DK
A pair of Scandinavian shelving units from the “Visingsö” series, designed by Carl Malmsten and produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden during the mid-20th century. Each unit features thr...
Pine
Carl Malmsten 'Släden' nesting tables, 1960s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
Designed by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1960s. Produced in Sweden by Åfors Möbelfabrik. Good condition. Central table: H 57 cm × L 70,5 cm × W 41 cm Small tables: H 53.5 cm × L 36.5 c...
Teak
Pair of pine bookcases by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A pair of pine bookcases designed by Carl Malmsten. Produced in Sweden during the 1950s. A fine example of so called Swedish sports cabin furniture. The dimensions stated in the it...
Pine
Carl Malmsten 'Vardags' Swedish Modern Bookcase With Storage Cabinet
By Carl Malmsten, Bodafors
Located in Atlanta, GA
Swedish Modern Bookcase Hutch Credenza With Storage Cabinet, designed by Carl Malmsten. Upper piece has three shelves and hutch. Lower piece ha...
Pine
Carl Malmsten, “Visingsö” Cabinet in Pine, Svensk Fur, Swedish Modern, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten, Svensk Fur
Located in Odense, DK
A charming cabinet with writing flap from the “Visingsö” series, designed by Carl Malmsten and produced by Svensk Fur. Executed in pine, the piece reflects Malmsten’s philosophy of “...
Pine
1930s Pair of Bookcases/Cabinets by Carl Malmsten SMF Birch Mid Century Modern
By SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors, Carl Malmsten
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A pair of swedish Art Deco bookcase or cabinets by Carl Malmsten for SMF. The case is composed of highly figured golden flame birch wood with rosewood banding and inlays. Relief carv...
Birch
Swedish high pine cabinet 'Carolus' by Carl Malmsten, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Swedish high bar cabinet designed by Carl Malmsten during the 1950s. Made in beautifully patinated pine. Possible to remove the top part.
Pine
Scandinavian Functionalist Sideboard by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1930s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful sideboard by Carl Malmsten, with elegant rosewood veneer, decorated around the edge and top with inlays of flowers and leaves in a lighter wood. Chunky feet with diagonal l...
Rosewood
Cabinet, Model Lillbo, in Walnut by Carl Malmsten, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten, Carl Löfving & Söner
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Cabinet, Model Lillbo, in Walnut by Carl Malmsten, 1950s Additional Information: Material: Walnut Style: Mid Century, Scandinavian Cabinet Produced by Carl Löfving & Söner in Sweden...
Walnut
Scandinavian Modern Bookcases in Pine Set Of 2, Svensk Fur, ca 1960's
By Carl Malmsten, Svensk Fur
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
1930s Swedish Large Cupboard Cabinet by Carl Malmsten for Ab Nordiska Kompaniet
By Carl Malmsten
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An extremely rare and possibly unique cabinet designed by Carl Malmsten for AB Nordiska Kompaniet. Beautiful condition and versatile cabinet. Large cabinet with fully adjustable shel...
Birch
Modernist Carl Malmsten Pine 1930s Table/Desk restored Hjorth
By Carl Malmsten, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Forest, BE
This is a unusual table / desk made out of pine. Produced in Sweden in the early 1930s. It is a so unique in the shape inspired by the traditional baroque tables but in a stylized a...
Pine
"Ambassadör" Sideboard by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Brescia, IT
European walnut sideboard with three drawers and three separate storage compartments. "Ambassadör" model designed by Carl Malmsten for Åfors Möbelfabrik, Sweden. Original manufacture...
Walnut
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
Mogens Koch Three Bookcases in Oak for Rud, Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch three bookcases in Oak. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. The reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/COPENHAGEN/DENMARK.
Oak
$6,379Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 46.46 in W 42.52 in D 11.82 in
Grete Jalk Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Design Teak Bookcases, 1950s
By Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Grete Jalk
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern design teak bookcases set designed by Grete Jalk and produced by P. Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, movable vertical partition...
Teak
$11,900Sale Price|57% Off
H 69 in W 42.5 in D 17.2 in
Unique Swedish Art Deco, Modern Neoclassical Cabinet, Carl Malmsten Signed, 1932
By Carl Malmsten
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Important 'Swedish Grace' sideboard, cupboard or buffet by Swedish Master, Carl Malmsten delicately constructed of inlaid birch and elmwood depicting a scene of Saint Geor...
Birch, Ebony, Maple
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century walnut executive desk This desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance ...
Metal
Scandinavian modern chest of drawers, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Great functionalistic chest of drawers produced in Sweden during the 1950s. Made in birch with brass handles.
Brass
Midcentury Executive Boomerang Desk
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this very unique large executive boomerang desk. The top is made out of laminate and the bottom is solid wood.
Walnut
Swedish Designer, Chest of Drawers, Birch, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A birch and black-lacquered wood chest of drawers designed and produced 1930s.
Birch
$6,500
H 31 in W 57.5 in D 27.5 in
Vintage American Art Deco Walnut and Rosewood Executive Desk, 1930s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage American Art Deco desk crafted in the United States, circa 1930s. Defined by its striking symmetry and luxurious mix of materials, this exceptional piece reflects the refined...
Leather, Rosewood, Walnut, Burl
1930s Swedish Art Deco Birch Chest of Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Swedish Art Deco chest of drawers, circa 1930s, crafted in birch with contrasting burled drawer fronts. Clean architectural lines and a warm, restrained palette reflect the Scandinav...
Wood, Birch
1968 Executive Desk
By Warren Platner
Located in Hanover, MA
Executive desk formerly belonging to noted architect George M. Notter, (1933–2007) of the Boston firm Anderson Notter Finegold (now known as Finegold Alexander Architects). Current institutional memory at the firm suggests it was a special order from Herman Miller for the then new New York offices of MGM, however Herman Miller's archivist was unable to confirm. Styling, particularly the distinctive slim milled aluminum tracks through which the entire drawer carriage glides is clearly similar to Warren Platner's designs for Lehigh-Leopold which were then among the most costly of executive office furnishings. The bent flat bar chromed steel base with its distinctive pigeon toe splay is somewhat similar to a table base in Stow Davis' Electa Series, designed by Alexis Yermakov circa 1971. Walnut laminate top is very clean with no issues. One corner edge shows a small separation. The only identifying markings are within the milled aluminum channel: G.P. F.I. 2 And the date Dec. 20, 1968. See image 18. Between the rectangular laminate top and the chrome base is a heavy blackened steel plate. Underneath the bent chrome pigeon toe feet are bars of a thick phenolic material which act as floor protector. We can have keys made to fit the two locking drawers. Tim Anderson...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
1930s French Art Deco Walnut Chest of Drawers
By Jules Leleu
Located in Astoria, NY
French Art Deco walnut chest of drawers, dating to the 1930s and sourced in Provence, France. The rectangular form features three drawers veneered in richly figured, bookmatched waln...
Brass
$2,080
H 28.5 in W 51.5 in D 27 in
Vintage Danish Teak Executive Desk Writing Desk Finished Back Office Desk MCM
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vintage Scandinavian Modern executive desk crafted in warm teak in Denmark. This elegant Mid-Century Modern desk features a clean architectural silhouette with six spacious...
Teak
Modernist Carl Malmsten Pine 1940s Desk with a shelf, unique
By Carl Malmsten, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Forest, BE
This is a unusual desk made out of pine. Produced in Sweden around the 1940s. It is a so unique in the shape, the base is very unusual with the shelf as a feet. It will brighten any...
Pine
Sold
H 104.73 in W 32.29 in D 12.21 in
Private Listing for E.: Italian Wall Unit by Feal;Carl Malmsten Vanity Table
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Waalwijk, NL
This is a private listing for E. containing the following items: - Carl Malmsten for Bodafors Dressing Table 'Brigitta' in Mahogany (LU933121733012): $5,200 - Italian Wall Unit by ...
Mahogany, Teak
Sold
H 43.51 in W 41.15 in D 16.93 in
Carl Malmsten, “Visingsö” Cabinet in Pine, Svensk Fur, Swedish Modern, 1950s
By Svensk Fur, Carl Malmsten
Located in Odense, DK
A Scandinavian cabinet from the “Visingsö” series, designed by Carl Malmsten and produced by Svensk Fur in Sweden during the mid-20th century. Engraved with "CM" on the back. Ver...
Pine
Swedish Grace "Haga" Sideboard by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant sideboard by Carl Malmsten for NK, model called “Haga”, made from birch. Stained top and base, graphic inlays on the door fronts. Lovely attention to detail.
Birch
Sold
H 76.38 in W 39.38 in D 15.75 in
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
Sold
H 53.55 in W 37.8 in D 16.54 in
Early Swedish Mid Century Modern Wooden Pine Cabinet by Carl Malmsten, 1930s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare Swedish modern wooden pine cabinet with traditional and decorative double doors, shelves, drawers and two floral shaped handles designed and branded by Carl Malmsten prod...
Pine
Sold
H 33.47 in W 63 in D 20.08 in
Art Deco / Swedish Grace Sideboard Carl Malmsten "Haga”, Sweden, 1930s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful Swedish Grace Art Deco / sideboard, buffet, storage unit named 'Haga' by Carl Malmsten. The sideboard sits on an ebonized base and it has inlays of geometric decoration and...
Birch
20th century birch and burr chest of drawers by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 20th century birch and burr chest of drawers by carl malmsten circa 1940. Here we present a known design designed by carl malmsten. Dark stained birch carcass, with 2 drawers r...
Birch
Sold
H 60.24 in W 37.41 in D 15.75 in
Swedish Mid-Century Modern Cabinet Model "Lillbo" by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Klintehamn, SE
Very rare cabinet - model Lillbo designed by Carl Malmsten in 1960. Mahogany veneer. Produced by Carl Löfving & Söner in Tibro, Sweden. Brass hinges, sculptured wooden handles on the...
Mahogany
Sold
H 34.65 in W 59.45 in D 20.08 in
Swedish Birch Art Deco Intarsia Buffet , Carl Malmsten, Haga model 1930s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Brussels, BE
Swedish Birch Art Deco Intarsia Buffet ,Carl Malmsten,Haga model 1930s
Wood
20th century birch and burr chest of drawers by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 20th century birch and burr chest of drawers by Carl Malmsten circa 1940. Here we present a known design designed by Carl Malmsten. Dark stained birch carcass, with 2 drawers r...
Birch
Cornerboard by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Brescia, IT
Vintage two-body teak corner cabinet. An iconic Scandinavian 1960s design furniture piece. The lower part is a storage compartment with hinged doors, and the upper part consists of ...
Teak