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 Grace "Haga" dining table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1932
By Carl Malmsten, Nordiska Kompaniet
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant “Haga” dining table by Carl Malmsten, with a curvesome stained wooden base. Round table top with warm mahogany veneer in a checkered pattern.
Birch
Midcentury "Party Cart" serving cart by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Adorable serving cart by Carl Malmsten, called “Kalasskrindan”, which means “Party Trolley”. Sleek lines with nicely curved handle. Removable tray on legs.
Pine
Scandinavian Modernist Dining Table by Carl Malmsten, 1940s
By Carl Malmsten, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Forest, BE
This is a large and unusual dining table made out of pine. Produced in Sweden around the 1940s. It is a so unique in the shape, the base is very unusual. It will brighten any project...
Pine
$9,379 / set
H 24.22 in W 25.4 in D 15.16 in
Pair of Side or Bedside Tables in Pine by Carl Malmsten, 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare pair of side or bedside tables, designed by Carl Malmsten and produced in Sweden, reflects the refined sensibility and craftsmanship that define his legacy in Scandinavian ...
Pine
Midcentury Bamboo and Rattan Serving Bar Cart, Italy 1960s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing serving bar cart in rattan and bamboo with three bottle holder. Made in Italy in the 1960s. A highly decorative bamboo and rattan serving cart with the taste ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Swedish Modern Round Walnut End or Coffee Table by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Atlanta, GA
Round walnut table by renowned Swedish furniture designer Carl Malmsten (1888 - 1972). Versatile size - can be used as end table or coffee table.
Please contact us wi...
Walnut
Scandinavian modern coffee table 'Berg' by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A refined coffee table designed by Carl Malmsten in the 1940s. The Berg model features a beautifully patterned alder root veneer top resting on an elegant solid beech tripod base. ...
Beech
$18,929
H 23.63 in W 38.59 in D 18.9 in
Serving trolley model 889 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden 1940s
By Josef Frank
Located in Stockholm, SE
Serving trolley model 889 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1940s. Brass & glass. H: 60 cm / 2' L: 98 cm / 3' 3 1/2" D: 48 cm / 1' 6 7/8"
Brass
$5,800 / set
H 33 in W 21.5 in D 22 in
Set of Six Upholstered Dining Chairs by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful set of six dining chairs in beech, by Carl Malmsten for Waggeryds Möbelfabrik AB, Sweden, 1950, all with arm rests and upholstered seats.
Upholstery, Beech
$5,684
H 29.14 in W 60.63 in D 28.75 in
Console Table "Sportstugemöbel" by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hägersten, SE
Console or dining table designed by Carl Malmsten in 1953 model "Visingsö", This early example from the Beginning of the 1950s without the added screws on the short ends and visible ...
Pine
$1,989
H 28.35 in W 34.65 in D 16.54 in
1940s Art Deco Midcentury Italian Wood and Brass Dry Bar Cabinet Liquor Cart
By Guglielmo Ulrich, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
Unique and very elegant Italian Art Deco dry bar cabinet cart with two glass tiers and highlighted by the great wooden and brass structure design and overall shape completed by the d...
Brass
$10,800 / set
H 29.14 in W 17.72 in D 20.48 in
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, Side Table, Wood, Sweden, 1970s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in High Point, NC
A wood side table designed and produced by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, c. 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 23.0"H x 31.5"W x 31.5"D All items ship ...
Wood
Carl Malmsten Center Table
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Long Island City, NY
A graceful center table, the top in radial birch veneer, the tripod base of solid birch. Observe the subtle carving of the base. Stamped CM. Carl Malmsten was one of the most talent...
Birch
Vintage Swedish Solid Pine Serving or Bar Cart
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish vintage bar cart made during the mid 20th century, around 1960 to 1970. The cart is made in solid pine with leaves on both side. Good vintage condition consistent with age an...
Pine
$7,390
H 28.75 in W 39.38 in D 66.15 in
Carl Malmsten “Härjedalen” Large Drop-Leaf Table, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
An unusually large version of Carl Malmsten’s “Härjedalen” drop-leaf table. Made of pine with two hinged leaves, allowing the table to be used in several sizes. Branded CM.
Pine
Midcentury Italian Marble and Brass Bar or Serving Cart
Located in Water Mill, NY
Italian Mid-Century marble and brass bar or serving cart.
Marble, Brass
Midcentury "Haga" dining table by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1930s
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant “Haga” dining table by Carl Malmsten, with a curvesome stained wooden base. Round table top with warm mahogany veneer in a checkered pattern.
Birch
Sold
H 34.26 in W 34.06 in D 18.51 in
Midcentury "Haga" chest of drawers by Carl Malmsten, Sweden, 1920s
By Nordiska Kompaniet, Carl Malmsten
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Elegant “Haga” chest of drawers by Carl Malmsten, made with stained birch veneer laid in a discreet pattern. Black painted legs and table top. Adorable handles in the form of crowns.
Birch