“I always look ahead, never back,” Finnish design legend Eero Aarnio has been quoted as saying. A leading innovator of modern furniture design, Aarnio has long embraced a bold, playful, confident and colorful style several steps ahead of his time.
For his 1954 entrance test for the Institute of Industrial Arts in Helsinki, Aarnio created a whimsical painting of a man reading a newspaper in a red, curved chair whose silhouette foreshadowed Aarnio’s Ball chair of 1963. That spherical seat skyrocketed him to design fame, and decades later, it is still recognized as one of the world’s most futuristic designs.
Born in 1932 to a house painter and a seamstress, Aarnio has always had a cheerful disposition and an independent spirit. He went his own way early on: After just two years at Asko, the big Scandinavian furniture company that originally produced his Ball chair, Aarnio established his own studio in 1962.
Over the next decade, the young visionary made an indelible mark on the world. Open-minded and entrepreneurial, Aarnio embraced the aesthetics, materials and technologies of the Swinging Sixties, working with a new generation of plastics and molding them into fluid, organically shaped, brightly hued forms.
Introduced at the 1966 Cologne Furniture Fair, the pod-like fiberglass Ball chair soon adorned the homes of movie stars and royalty, graced magazine covers around the world and was featured in films and ads. The groundbreaking seat originally came in orange, white, black, yellow and red and could be ordered with a telephone installed in it. Yet this designer of the future, as he was known in the 1960s, has always insisted that he didn’t deliberately seek to be associated with the decade’s sci-fi aesthetic.
“I had no intention to create either pop or Space Age design — as many people label my work,” Aarnio declares in one of the essays included in Eero Aarnio — Designer of Colour and Joy, a book jointly created by the Design Museum and publisher WSOY to accompany 2016’s “Eero Aarnio” exhibition.
The show featured a number of Aarnio’s objects, including his iconic Ball, Pastil (1967), Bubble (1968), Tomato (1971) and Pony (1973) chairs. These were joined by lesser-known seating and other objects like the rattan Juttujakkara, or mushroom, stool (1960); the sculptural Double Bubble lamp (2000), with which Aarnio first explored the possibilities of rotation-cast plastic; and the three-legged Rocket (1995) and Baby Rocket (2006) stools, both parts of a collection produced by Artek after Tom Dixon, the company’s creative director from 2004 to 2009, discovered the original piece in Aarnio’s kitchen.
“Aarnio expanded the whole idea of what constitutes furniture,” explained Suvi Saloniemi, the Design Museum’s chief curator. “His significance as a designer is crystallized in the liberation of form that he has introduced by discovering the properties of plastic as the material of a designer. His furniture is sculpture-like and eye-catching, but the pieces are always utilitarian at the same time.”
Find an extraordinary range of vintage Eero Aarnio chairs, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$5,844
Eero Aarnio table
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Paris, FR
Dinning Table Eero Aarnio, "Flamingo" model dining table, Asko, Finland, 1970s; extendable table with a lacquered wood extension leaf, fully restored in a burgundy-red lacquer with ...
Lacquer
$395Sale Price|74% Off
Eero Aarnio Small Walnut Parabel Table in STOCK
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
Walnut Parabel side table Damaged during transportation but still a very beautiful piece. The Parabel was designed in 1993 by Eero Aarnio, and first shown at the International Furn...
Walnut
$8,398 / item
Eero Aarnio Large White Parabel Table
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
The Parabel was designed in 1993 by Eero Aarnio, and first shown at the International Furniture Fair in Cologne, Germany in January 2002. The table is made of fibreglass and comes in...
Fiberglass
Midcentury Space Age Coffee Table UPO, Eero Aarnio, Finland, 1970s
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Praha, CZ
- Rare type - Very practical - Marked.
Metal
$1,544 / item
Eero Aarnio Small Walnut Parabel Table
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
The Parabel was designed in 1993 by Eero Aarnio, and first shown at the International Furniture Fair in Cologne, Germany in January 2002. The table is made of fibreglass and comes in...
Maple
Kantarelli Coffee Table by Eero Aarnio for Asko
By Eero Aarnio
Located in VENLO, NL
Rare 'Kantarelli' coffee table by the Finnish designer Eero Aarnio for Asko. A famous design from 1967 often combined with Aarnio's 'Pastil' chairs. This bright green version has bee...
Fiberglass
$9,942 / item
Eero Aarnio White Oval Parabel Table
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
The Parabel was designed in 1993 by Eero Aarnio, and first shown at the International Furniture Fair in Cologne, Germany in January 2002. The table is made of fibreglass and comes in...
Fiberglass
$4,940 / item
Eero Aarnio Large Silver Screw Table
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Eero Aarnio, 1991 Eero’s approach to Industrial Design has often seen simple and hidden forms become real and visible objects. Screws are used...
Fiberglass
Eero Aarnio Solid Pine wood drop leaf dining table Laukaan Puu 1970s
By Laukaan Puu, Eero Aarnio
Located in Den Haag, NL
Solid Pine ,drop leaf dining table design by Eero Aarnio for Laukaan Puu, 1970s . Very easy to use . One drawer used on both sides . 64 cm to 180cm Good condition .
Pine
$2,347 / item
Iconic Eero Aarnio Small White Mushroom Stool
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
Mushroom is one of Eero’s oldest designs and in its fibreglass form is part of the same design family that includes the Ball Chair, Pastil and Tomato. It can be used as a stool or a ...
Fiberglass
$2,717 / item
Iconic Eero Aarnio Large White Mushroom Stool
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
He Mushroom is one of Eero’s oldest designs and in its fibreglass form is part of the same design family that includes the ball chair, Pastil and Tomato. It can be used as a stool or...
Fiberglass
$4,076 / item
Eero Aarnio Small White Screw Table
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Eero Aarnio 1991 Eero’s approach to industrial design has often seen simple and hidden forms become real and visible objects. Screws are used in most pieces of furniture – but the Screw table...
Fiberglass
$2,347 / item
Iconic Eero Aarnio Small Black Mushroom Stool
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
He mushroom is one of Eero’s oldest designs and in its fibreglass form is part of the same design family that includes the ball chair, Pastil and Tomato. It can be used as a stool or...
Fiberglass
$4,940 / item
Eero Aarnio Large Black Screw Table
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Eero Aarnio 1991 Eero’s approach to industrial design has often seen simple and hidden forms become real and visible objects. Screws are used in most pieces of furniture – but the Screw table...
Fiberglass
$4,076 / item
Eero Aarnio Small Silver Screw Table
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Eero Aarnio 1991 Eero’s approach to industrial design has often seen simple and hidden forms become real and visible objects. Screws are used in most pieces of furniture – but the Screw table...
Fiberglass
$2,717 / item
Iconic Eero Aarnio Large Black Mushroom Stool
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
Mushroom is one of Eero’s oldest designs and in its fibreglass form is part of the same design family that includes the Ball Chair, Pastil and Tomato. It can be used as a stool or a ...
Fiberglass
$4,940 / item
Eero Aarnio Large White Screw Table
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Eero Aarnio, 1991 Eero’s approach to industrial design has often seen simple and hidden forms become real and visible objects. Screws are used...
Fiberglass
$4,076 / item
Eero Aarnio Small Black Screw Table
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Eero Aarnio 1991 Eero’s approach to industrial design has often seen simple and hidden forms become real and visible objects. Screws are used in most pieces of furniture – but the Screw table...
Fiberglass
Iconic Eero Aarnio Small Black Mushroom Stool
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
He mushroom is one of Eero’s oldest designs and in its fibreglass form is part of the same design family that includes the ball chair, Pastil and Tomato. It can be used as a stool or...
Fiberglass
$1,700Sale Price|50% Off
H 20 in W 24 in D 15 in
Chicago Side Table in Oiled Walnut by May Furniture IN STOCK MODEL ON SALE
By May Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Architecturally-inspired side table in Oiled Walnut. Handmade to order and custom sizes, this side table features refined lines and meticulously cut telescopic inspired legs. Sta...
Hardwood
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Table
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover timeless elegance with the iconic tulip table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Featuring a pristine white laminate top, this table epitomizes mid-century modern design with sleek...
Metal
Space Age Cooffe Table 1970s
By Space Age Products
Located in Čelinac, BA
Space Age Cooffe Table 1970s
Chrome
$6,136Sale Price|30% Off
H 28.75 in Dm 55.12 in
Eero Saarinen Tulip Dining Table Marble Knoll International
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Berlin, BE
Eero Saarinen Round Dining Table 140 cm Diameter with stunning Arabescato marble top. Discover the timeless beauty of the Eero Saarinen Round Dining Table with a 140 cm diameter, fe...
Marble, Steel
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Mid Century Tulip Table
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eero Saarinen for Knoll mid century Tulip table This dining table measures: 47.25 wide x 47.25 deep x 28.5 inches high, with a chair clearan...
Metal
Vintage Eero Saarinen Model 174W Tulip Dining Table
By Eero Saarinen
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
To accompany his famous Tulip chair design, Eero Saarinen designed the Tulip table. A simple design with timeless beauty. At 54 inches diameter, it can comfortably fit 6 chairs aroun...
Steel
Vintage Tulip Coffee Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A vintage coffee table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll with white tulip base and laminate top. This icon of mid-century modern design was acquired from the family of the original owner, w...
Metal
Tulip Dining Table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1950s. USA. Original formica top with cast iron base.
Iron
Eero Saarinen Knoll marble table 1970
By Eero Saarinen
Located in Grenoble, FR
Eero Saarinen Knoll Marble table from the Knoll brand by Eero Saarinen (signed under the foot) the Carrara marble is not varnished but natural. Very good original condition, no lack ...
Marble, Aluminum
$6,662
H 28.15 in W 77.96 in D 48.04 in
Eero SAARINEN (1910–1961) for KNOLL INTERNATIONAL. Oval Table, “Tulip”
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Eero SAARINEN (1910–1961), designer – KNOLL International, publisher. Oval “Tulip” model table, featuring a central cast aluminum base covered in black Rilsan. Early 1970 edition. ...
Aluminum
Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Table, 47"
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover timeless elegance with the iconic tulip table by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Featuring a white laminate top, this table epitomizes mid-century modern design with sleek, sculptu...
Metal
Eero Aarnio Side Table in Rattan by ASKO, 1960s
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare side table or stool, designed by Eero Aarnio and produced by ASKO in Finland, exemplifies the Finnish designer’s forward-thinking approach to form, material, and multifunct...
Rattan
Copacabana by Eero Aarnio for Adelta
By Adelta, Eero Aarnio
Located in Wien, AT
Three Copacabana side tables by Eero Aarnio for Adelta. The tables are unused and have been in storage for the last few decades. The set consists of two white & one red element. They...
Fiberglass
Mid Century White Round Dining Table by Eero Aarnio, around 1970
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Berlin, DE
This fantastic and very rare Kantarelli Dining Table by Finnish designer Eero Aarnio was made in white fiberglass-reinforced polyester. The circular table top is resting on a central...
Fiberglass, Lacquer
Sold
H 20.48 in Dm 20.08 in
Usa Modern Black Marble Coffee Table Tulip by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970s
By Knoll, Eero Aarnio
Located in MIlano, IT
USA modern black marble Coffee table mod. Tulip by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970s Coffee table mod. Tulip with round top in black mar...
Marble, Metal
Spage Age Coffee Table in the Style of Eero Aarnio, 1970
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Oirlo, LI
Spage Age Coffee table in the style of Eero Aarnio, 1970 This is a beautiful Spage Age coffee table with nice dimples in the top. This table is closed all around and very sim...
Plastic
Kantarelli Table, Eero Aarnio for Asko, 1967
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Kantarelli table by Eero Aarnio for Asko in striking and rare purple. Excellent condition.
Fiberglass
Sold
H 28.75 in W 33.47 in D 47.25 in
Dining Table & Chairs Set by Eero Aarnio for Upo Furniture, 1970s
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Karis, Nyland
The rare set of 4 stacking chairs with the matching table designed by Eero Aarnio for Upo Furniture, 1970s. White plastic, metal crossbars beneath the table top to make it sturdy. ...
Metal
Eero Aarnio Mid Century Wicker Side End Table Ottoman
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Eero Aarnio mid century wicker side end table ottoman. Ottoman measures: 28.75 wide x 28.75 deep x 17.25 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage ...
Wicker
Sold
H 18.12 in Dm 28.35 in
Midcentury White Plastic Kantarelli Coffee Table by Eero Aarnio for Asko, 1965
By Asko, Eero Aarnio
Located in MIlano, IT
Midcentury white plastic Kantarelli coffee table by Eero Aarnio for Asko, 1965 Kantarelli coffee table with circular structure entirely in white plastic with a tulip-shaped base. D...
Plastic
Eero Aarnio Natural Rattan Mushroom Double
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
The mushroom double was designed by Eero Aarnio in 1961. The mushroom double is a multifunctional furniture piece, as it works both as a stoo...
Rattan
Eero Aarnio Natural Elephant Boot Chair
By Eero Aarnio
Located in New York, NY
The elephant boot was designed by Eero Aarnio in 1961 and it is the largest piece of the Rattan collection. The functionality and neutral aesthetic make ...
Rattan
Eero Aarnio 'Kantarelli' Fiberglass Side Table
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Dallas, TX
An early white fiberglass 'Kantarelli' side table by Eero Aarnio.
Fiberglass