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.
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
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
Modernist Carl Malmsten Pine 1930s Table/Desk restored Hjorth
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Carl Malmsten
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
Dudouyt - Desk - Table - Oak - 1940s - France - Brutalist
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing a remarkable French Art Deco Desk designed by the renowned Charles Dudouyt, a celebrated furniture designer known for his exceptional craftsmanship, innovative designs, a...
Oak
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
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
Desk - French - Art Deco - Oak - Dudouyt - 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Art Deco dining table. The table features stunning oak sanded wood grain with a stunning patina. The top is encrusted with a checked marquetry. It rests on tall and Brutalist ...
Oak
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
Sold|$7,177
H 29.14 in W 29.53 in D 14.57 in
Pine drawers/dressers in the manner of Axel Einar Hjorth, Sportstuga, 1930s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Hägersten, SE
Pair of "sporstuge" chest of drawers in the style of Axel Einar Hjorth. Made in Sweden during the 1930-40s. Made from solid pine with a beautiful age retained patina. Nicely figured...
Pine
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
Desk - French - Cerused - Art Deco - Oak, Dudouyt, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Art Deco desk table. The table features stunning oak sanded wood grain with a stunning patina. The top is encrusted with a checked marquetry. It rests on tall and Brutalist le...
Oak
"Swedish Grace" Period Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Grace was the inspiration for this lovely birch secretary which makes working from home a joy! Three locking drawers sit beneath a generous drop-front with 6 interior drawers, a pair...
Birch
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
Dillingham Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this nice vintage desk made by Dillingham
Walnut
Helikon Mid Century Burlwood Executive Desk
By Helikon
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Helikon Mid Century Burlwood Executive Desk This desk measures: 79.75 wide x 37.75 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 25.75 inches We take our photos in a controlled light...
Burl
Mid-20th Century Birch Bodafors Desk by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality 3 piece pedestal desk designed by Carl Malmsten for Bodafors, circa 1940. Burr birch writing surface below which is an elaborate inlaid frieze of Brazilian rosewood, ...
Birch
Carl Malmsten Pedestal Desk
By Carl Malmsten
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish Grace period flamed birch and rosewood pedestal desk with fruitwood inlays, designed by the renowned architect and furniture designer: Carl Malmsten (1888-1972) Produced by...