During the mid-20th century, Finnish furniture designer Ilmari Tapiovaara worked with pine, teak and his country’s native birch to create sleek and sculptural chairs, dining room tables and bookcases in the Scandinavian modern style. Tapiovaara’s areas of expertise expanded beyond furniture to include interior architecture, wooden sculptures, film posters and cutlery.
After completing his studies at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki, Tapiovaara embarked on a design career that would envelop his entire life. As a young man, Tapiovaara idolized revered architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto — whom, with his wife, Aino Aalto, cofounded Artek, the company that would eventually manufacture the majority of Tapiovaara’s creations. The budding designer had one of Aalto’s chairs in his apartment while he was a student. After graduating, he worked as an assistant in an office at Le Corbusier, then as a designer and artistic director at Asko.
By 1951, Tapiovaara and his wife, Annikki, had established their own studio. A few years previous, the pair had designed the now-legendary Domus chair while creating interiors and furnishings for a new student housing complex in Helsinki. Made of molded plywood and easily stackable, the ergonomic Domus chair, with its slender form, featured a modest silhouette — its lightweight structure allowed for easy exporting, and iconic mid-century modern furniture manufacturer Knoll added a low-backed version to its offerings in the early 1950s. (It was marketed as the Finn chair in the United States.)
Tapiovaara went on to design pieces for Pihlgren ja Ritola and Santa and Cole. His experience earned him teaching positions at the Institute of Applied Arts, the Helsinki University of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Technology. While in Chicago for the latter, he worked in the office of Mies van der Rohe.
Tapiovaara centered his passion for design on social responsibility. He wanted his creations to be accessible to everyone, which was the concept behind his democratic approach. In Finland’s postwar era, the goal was exemplary, affordable designs. With this in mind, he created products such as stackable chairs and “knock-down” pieces packed flat, so they shipped efficiently and cost less.
An influential champion of his profession, he spent two decades as a United Nations ambassador, working to improve design’s contribution to society. His lasting, collectible furniture is a testament to the designer’s goal to create humane, radiant and intimate spaces. The United Nations project included traveling to Paraguay to create much-needed furniture. A similar project followed in Mauritius.
Tapiovaara’s success as an industrial and mass producer of everyday furniture was widely recognized and awarded. He received six gold medals for his chairs alone at the Milan Triennials. He also accepted a Good Design award, the Finnish State Design Award, a prize from the Finnish Culture Foundation and the Furniture Prize of the SIO Interior Architects’ Association of Finland.
Find vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara seating, tables and lighting on 1stDibs.
Ilmari Tapiovaara Coffee Table / Side Table Produced by Laukaan Puu in Finland
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table / side table designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara. Produced by Laukaan Puu in Finland.
Pine
Pirkka Coffee Table by Ilmari Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in New York, NY
Solid pine "Pirkka" coffee table with lacquered black legs designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara Produced by Laukaan Puu Finland, 1957.
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Domino' Coffee Table in Teak
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Asko
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, 'Domino' coffee table, teak, birch, Finland, 1954. This Finnish coffee table is designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara. The table features a solid rectangular tab...
Birch, Teak
$6,263 / set
H 28.35 in W 31.58 in D 62.8 in
Table set designed by IIlmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1960s
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Delft, NL
Pinewood "Hongisto" Table set designed by IIlmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland 1960s A lovely dining set table from the “Hongisto” series by Ilmari Tapiovaara, manufactured b...
Pine
$9,965 / set
H 29.34 in W 15.16 in D 17.52 in
Rare ''Pirkka'' design dining room set by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu 1955
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Experience the timeless elegance of mid-century modern design with the Pirkka dining room set by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, created in 1955. This exquisite set embodies the perfect blend of form and function, making it a standout addition to any dining space. The set consits of the large Pirkka table and 6 Pirkka chairs all marked. Ilmari Tapiovaara, a celebrated Finnish designer, is renowned for his innovative approach and dedication to craftsmanship. The Pirkka set showcases his genius with its clean lines, minimalist aesthetic, and impeccable balance of practicality and beauty. Crafted from high-quality materials, the set features a combination of solid pine and birch, offering a warm, natural finish that highlights the wood’s rich grain and texture. The design’s simplicity and robustness ensure durability, making it a lasting centerpiece for your dining area. The Pirkka set includes the large model dining table and 6 matching chairs...
Wood
$2,642Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Ilmari Tapiovaara Ovalette Coffee Table, Mid-Century Modern, 1959
By Artek, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in bari, IT
Vintage coffee table model ovalette by Ilmari Tapiovaara per Artek 1958.
Wood
$3,872
H 16.15 in Dm 30.71 in
Midcentury Coffee Table , Teak Wood, Ilmari Tapiovaara attributed for Permanente
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Midcentury Ilmari Tapiovaara attributed round six legs coffee table in ebonized walnut structure and with the top veneered in teakwood. Wax polished Measures cm: Height 41, diameter...
Walnut, Teak
$2,163
H 26.78 in W 23.63 in D 47.25 in
X-Leg Table by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy, Finland, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy
Located in Karis, Nyland
A classic example of Ilmari Tapiovaara’s functional Nordic design language, this X-leg table was produced by Keravan Puuteollisuus Oy in the 1950s. The table features Tapiovaara’s ch...
Birch
$1,774Sale Price|35% Off
H 15.74 in Dm 31.1 in
Ilmari Tapiovaara Wenge Wood Coffee Table, Mid-Century, 1960
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Vienna, AT
Wenge wood table with, France, circa 1960. Mid-century table from walnut and teak. It's composed of a cross shaped base with five a-symmetrical feet. Beautifully designed with a d...
Teak, Walnut
$2,277
H 16.15 in Dm 30.71 in
Mid Century Coffee Table Designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara, La Permanente Cantu, 60s
By La Permanente Mobili Cantù, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Lucija, SI
Rare coffee table designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Permanente Cantu Italy Made in the 60s Classic scandinavian design Round six legs coffee table in ebonized walnut structure and wi...
Walnut, Black Walnut
Italian Coffee or Side Table in Travertine, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice Italian coffee table handcrafted out of travertine, 1980's. The top is rounded on the edge. It is made of beautiful travertine. Please take notice of the very nice pa...
Travertine
Ilmari Tapiovaara for Lukkiseppo Coffee Table in Pine
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara for Lukkiseppo, coffee table, leather, pine, brass, rope, Finland, design 1958, made 1959 We present the "Chaco" coffee table, meticulously designed by the eminen...
Pine
$5,124
H 6.3 in W 16.93 in D 78.75 in
Large Low Pine Coffee Table by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Pu, Finland, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare large low pine coffee table by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Pu, Finland, 1950s.
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara Desk or Table for Laukaan Puu
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Laukaan Puu
Located in Miami, FL
Table by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu. Works also well as desk. The table is signed.
Pine
$2,110
H 26.77 in W 47.24 in D 27.17 in
Mid-Century Early Pirkka Dining Table by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, 60s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Hamburg, DE
Formerly original Pirkka dining table by Laukaan Puu after a design by Ilmari Tapiovaara from the 1950s. An original tapiovaara from the time and no current replica. The design comb...
Wood
Italian Coffee or Side Table in Travertine, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice Italian coffee or side table handcrafted out of travertine, 1980's. The top is rounded on the edge. It is made of beautiful travertine. Please take notice of the very...
Travertine
Ilmari Tapiovaara Coffee Table 'Ovalette'
By Asko, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko Ldt., coffee table 'Ovalette', beech, Finland, 1954 The coffee table model 'Ovalette' by Tapiovaara consists out of an elegantly oval shaped top. The gr...
Beech
Ilmari Tapiovaara Low Side Table in Pine
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, coffee table, stained pine, Finland, 1950s. This pine coffee table is modest and simple in its design and therefore breaths the feeling of Nordi...
Pine
Ilmari Tapiovaara Side Table in Pine Wood, Finland, 1950s
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Side table by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, Finland, 1950s. Modest Scandinavian design made out of solid Pine wood, simple yet refined with exactly the right feeling. Very well ...
Pine
Sold
H 9.06 in W 73.63 in
Scandinavian Modern, Ilmari Tapiovaara Pirkka Coffee Table, 1950's, Alvar Aalto
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ilmari Tapiovaara, Model Pirkka Coffee Table Scandinavian Modern; 1950's; Alvar Aalto; One of the more rare items designed by Finnish designer Yrjö Ilmari Tapiovaara...
Wood
Sold
H 9.45 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Scandinavian Modern- Ilmari Tapiovaara Pirkka Coffee Table, 1955 Finland
By Laukaan Puu, Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in The Hague, NL
Ilmari Tapiovaara for Laukaan Puu, coffee table, stained pine, Finland, 1950s. This pine coffee table is modest and simple in its design and therefore breaths the feeling of Nordic ...
Wood, Pine
Tapiovaara Side Tables
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Hobnailed patinated bronze based side tables with round bleached oak tops.
Bronze
Round Side Table by Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A Side Table by Ilmari Tapiovaara "Caribe" for ICF. Round Pine Top Over Bronze-Plated Base with Hobnail Detail.
Round Side Table by Tapiovaara
By Ilmari Tapiovaara
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
A Side Table by Ilmari Tapiovaara "Caribe" for ICF. Round Pine Top Over Bronze-Plated Base with Hobnail Detail.
Iron