Through both his bold furniture designs and his teaching and administrative positions within the architecture and design industries, the solution-oriented Friso Kramer helped elevate industrial design to a venerated place in the modernist canon.
While the mid-century years saw no shortage of function-minded modernists, Kramer may have been the most extreme of them. “If form does not contribute to the function, it has no right to exist,” the Dutch designer once said. Born in Amsterdam in 1922 to the pioneering architect Piet Kramer, Friso studied architecture, industrial design, electrical engineering and interior design. He cut his teeth in the studios of architect Jan Piet Kloos and interior designer Frans Paulussen, then, in 1948, went to work as a designer at the steel furniture manufacturer De Cirkel (part of the Ahrend group), where he would design some of his best-known work.
The 1953 Revolt chair, which is among his most celebrated seating and a darling of Dutch mid-century modernism, embodied Kramer’s function-first design; its skeletal, industrial form provides for maximum comfort and ergonomic support with minimal material. He joined forces with Wim Rietveld, son of celebrated Dutch modernist Gerrit Rietveld, for the 1958 Result chair, which married elements of the Revolt with forms from Rietveld’s Pyramid series. Kramer found numerous ways to riff on and perfect his brand of minimalism: The 1960 Resort and Repose armchairs demonstrate how he slightly tweaked the skeletal frames for different postures and uses.
In 1963, Kramer left Ahrend to found Total Design Studio with Wim Crouwel, Benno Wissing and Paul and Dick Schwartz. The firm grouped graphic, industrial and spatial design under one roof with the shared belief in functionalism. Though Total Design Studio is still in business today, Kramer left the company to return to Ahrend in 1971, serving as art director until 1983. Following Kramer’s death in 2019, Ahrend teamed up with Danish design brand HAY to relaunch the Result and Revolt chairs.
Find vintage Friso Kramer chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Friso Kramer Stabilux Cabinets for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1950s
By Friso Kramer, Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, 1950's, gray enameled metal four compartment storage cabinet module. Designed by Dutch post-war design luminary Friso Kramer as part of the Stabilux line for Ahren...
Metal
Italian Mahogany Secretaire Cabinet, 1950s
Located in Meda, MB
Precious cabinet secretaire produced in Italy in the 1950s, The whole cabinet is veneered in mahogany with a fine solid wood carving in the center of the two doors representing two b...
Mahogany, Maple
Vintage Industrial Storage Cabinet, 1950s
Located in Praha, CZ
Unique vintage industrial shelf cabinet This piece will add that now so modern industrial touch to any interior. We have a second similar cab...
Metal
Vintage Drinks Cabinet from Beithcraft, 1950s
By Beithcraft
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid century mahogany Beithcraft drinks cabinet or linen cabinet There's a cupboard with a mirror back and shelf, along with three drawers.
Teak, Walnut
Mahogany and Parchment Cabinet, Italy, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Elegant Salon Furniture in mahogany and finished in parchment on the doors and drawers inside, the legs moved and carved end on feline-shaped bronze tips. On the doors and inside the...
Gold
$729
H 18.51 in W 37.01 in D 13.39 in
1950s, Cabinet by Jindrich Halabala for Up Zavody, Czechoslovakia
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Praha, CZ
-Black glass plate with certain signs of use. -In good original condition.
Smoked Glass, Wood
Bodil Kjær 1950s Rosewood 2-Drawer Cabinet
By Bodil Kjaer
Located in San Francisco, CA
designed in 1959 by Bodil Kjær to accompany her iconic ‘James Bond’ desk in a well-figured and deeply patinated rosewood; manufacrtured by E. Pedersen & Søn for Jason Møbler; fitted ...
Rosewood
$1,317Sale Price|60% Off
H 39.38 in W 53.55 in D 17.72 in
Midcentury French Modernist Cabinet Vaisselier, 1950s
Located in Paris, IDF
Warm light brown oak and rich copper form a beautiful color palette in this cabinet vaisselier from the 1950s. On the front and top of the cabinet, the oak displays a striped lightwood/dark wood pattern that feels fun and very much of the era, while the recessed portions of the oak appear to shift into burnt orange for a subtle injection of natural color. Opening the door at the front of the cabinet, a series of small drawers are revealed for hidden storage and organization; the left side of the cabinet is formed by transparent glass, ideal for stowing decorative items or glassware, as well as giving the piece a sense of being filled with light. Though it was created by an unknown French craftsman, this piece is reminiscent of avant-garde designer Jean Royere’s work. Place it in your living room for a unique midcentury French modernist...
Copper
Rare Stackable Metal Cabinet from Ahrend & Zn
By Ahrend de Cirkel
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Unique Stackeble Metal Cabinet from the Dutch brand Ahrend & Zn
Metal
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet with Brass Hardware, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful sideboard cabinet designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, made of sandalwood with solid brass hardware. Cabinet has drawers on each side, center Lucite pull out shelf and on...
Brass
Henredon, Cabinet, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Henredon
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut cabinet or sideboard designed and produced by Henredon, USA, 1950s.
Walnut
French Designer, Cabinets, Wood, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of white and blue-lacquered wood cabinets or sideboards designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Moderate to heavy wear with imperfections on side panels and door faces. I...
Wood
Flora Cabinet, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Staffanstorp, SE
A beautifully preserved Flora cabinet from the 1950s, inspired by Josef Frank’s iconic Flora cabinet, one of the most celebrated expressions of Scandinavian modern design. Crafted i...
Mahogany
Friso Kramer Tricolor Shelf in Metal
By Friso Kramer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Friso Kramer for 'De Bijenkorf', tricolor shelf, metal, the Netherlands, design 1953 This open shelf has two columns that feature four open cabinets in black and yellow sides. The structure of the shelf is held in a beige color, overall a distinct combination. Friso Kramer designed...
Metal
Friso Kramer Stabilux Cabinets for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1950s
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, 1950's, gray enameled metal four compartment storage cabinet module. Designed by Dutch post-war design luminary Friso Kramer as part of the Stabilux line for Ahren...
Metal
Sold
H 39.5 in W 79.5 in D 10.75 in
Friso Kramer "Stabilux" Two Section Industrial Shelves or Room Divider
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century "Stabilux", eggplant and granny apple green, enameled metal two section industrial bookshelf by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel. A stunning color combination and a vers...
Metal
Sold
H 29.5 in W 49.125 in D 23.75 in
Mid-Century Gray Friso Kramer "Result" Teachers Desk for Ahrend de Cirkel
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Friso Kramer "Result" teachers’ desk with a suspended, grey painted wood cabinet with 3 little drawers. The top has a faux linen pattern printed Formica with a plastic trim. The...
Metal
Sold
H 76.78 in W 37.41 in D 10.24 in
Friso Kramer pair of bookcases Bijenkorf Asmeta The Netherlands 1953
By Asmeta, Friso Kramer
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice pair of bookcases or shelving units designed by Friso Kramer for the Bijenkorf and manufactured by Asmeta, The Netherlands 1953. Martin V...
Metal
Friso Kramer Asmeta bookcases de Bijenkorf Netherlands 1953
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare metal bookcase shelving unit designed by Friso Kramer for De Bijenkorf produced by Asmeta in 1953. Martin Visser commissioned Friso Kramer to design a simple usable shelving unit...
Metal
Friso Kramer Euroika Night Cabinets Auping, 1963
By Auping, Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very rare and beautiful pair of night cabinets designed by Friso Kramer for Auping, Holland 1963. These cabinets are from the Euroika series designed by Kramer in 1963. The Euroika series had a Bed, bed cabinets, table, chair, mirror and a toilet cabinet...
Metal
Sold
H 55.12 in W 40.16 in L 55.12 in
Friso Kramer Stabilux Cabinet Ahrend de Cirkel The Netherlands, 1955
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Industrial and rare Stabilux cabinet designed by Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, The Netherlands 1960. This very nice symmetric cabinet is made of lacquered metal and has several ...
Metal
Sold
H 20.08 in W 13 in D 7.09 in
Dutch Design Mirror Console by Friso Kramer for Auping 1963 Teak Black Glass
By Auping, Friso Kramer
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Elegant vanity mirror designed by Friso Kramer for Auping, Holland, 1963. This mirror is from the Euroika series designed by Kramer in 1963 revolutionary for its time due the unique shape of the curved teak plywood. The Euroika series had a Bed, bed cabinets, table, chair, mirror and a toilet cabinet...
Glass, Teak
Friso Kramer Asmeta double bookcase for Bijenkorf, 1953
By Friso Kramer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare double metal bookcase and shelving unit designed by Friso Kramer for de Beijenkorf, produced by Asmeta in 1953. Martin Visser commissioned Friso Kramer to design a simple usable shelving unit...
Metal
Sold
H 13 in W 13 in D 9.85 in
Rare Pair of Friso Kramer Bed Cabinets for Auping Euroika Series 1963 Teak White
By Auping, Friso Kramer
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Rare pair of Dutch Design bed cabinets from the ''Euroika Series'' Designed by Friso Kramer for Auping 1963. Wonderful example of Minimalist modernist design with curved teak and whi...
Metal
Friso Kramer Asmeta Bookcase
By Friso Kramer, Asmeta
Located in Den Haag, NL
Friso Kramer Asmeta bookcase. Rare Asmeta bookcase. Design Friso Kramer produced by the Bijenkorf 1953. Friso Kramer designed in order off Martin Visser ...
Metal