With a passion for math and engineering, Kai Kristiansen has created high-quality wood furniture for decades. Beginning in the 1950s, his coffee tables, chairs, modular shelving and other furnishings were made in the style that would become internationally renowned as Danish modern and boasted clean lines, perfected functionality and exacting craftsmanship.
Born in Denmark, Kristiansen trained in cabinetmaking before studying with Kaare Klint, often cited as the “father of modern Danish design,” at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. At just 26 years old, Kristiansen opened his own studio.
Kristiansen had his mid-century breakthrough in 1956 with the Chair #42, which he made with Schou Andersen. Unlike most other chairs at the time, Chair #42’s armrests, with their wealth of radical angles, were connected to the back rather than the front legs. This unconventional flourish makes the backrest appear as though it is floating in midair above the seat.
Kristiansen’s next innovation was a modular wall system in 1957 — three years ahead of Dieter Rams’s more famous 606 Universal Shelving System. Called the Reolsystem Wall Unit, produced by SB Feldballes Møbelfabrik, it’s also known as the FM Wall Unit as FM/Fornem Møbelkunst began producing it in the 1960s.
Kristiansen would go on to work with other leading Danish furniture manufacturers such as Magnus Olesen, Fritz Hansen and Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, designing everything from chairs and desks to sideboards and cabinets, frequently in rosewood and teak. (The latter was a sought-after wood by Scandinavian modern designers.)
While many of Kristiansen’s timeless designs remain in production, such as his Paper Knife sofa, which was reintroduced by Miyazaki Chair Factory in 2008, and his 1950s Entré collection, which was relaunched with Great Dane Furniture in 2016, others are prized as vintage mid-century pieces.
Today, Kristiansen is still at work on new furniture with an expert eye to thoughtfully functional designs that are made to last.
Find a collection of vintage Kai Kristiansen furniture on 1stDibs.
Kai Kristiansen Pair of Rosewood & Leather Ottomans
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Rosewood & Leather Ottomans, c1950s. A pair of ottomans designed by Kai Kristiansen as part of the 'Entre' series in the late 1950s and produced by cabinetmaker Ak...
Leather, Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Pair of Rosewood & Fabric Ottomans c1950s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Rosewood & Fabric Ottomans, c1950s. A pair of ottomans designed by Kai Kristiansen as part of the 'Entre' series in the late 1950s and produced by cabinetmaker Aks...
Rosewood, Fabric
$1,893 / item
H 29.14 in W 20.87 in D 21.66 in
Set of Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Chairs, Rosewood, Aniline Leather, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Skovmand and Andersen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of dining chairs produced by Skovman Andersen for the Illum Bolighus department store in Copenhagen. Rosewood frames with seat and back reupholstered with black pure aniline leat...
Leather, Rosewood
$12,405 / set
H 29.14 in W 21.26 in D 18.12 in
Eight Restored Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Dining Chairs Custom Upholstery Included
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of eight fully restored, 1960s rosewood dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Schous Møbelfabrik with custom upholstery. The chairs have Kai Kristiansens typical light and elegan...
Rosewood
$48 / set
H 0.52 in Dm 0.41 in
12 Furniture Plugs Fit for Kai Kristiansen Model 42 and Other Rosewood Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of 12 button plugs fit for Kai Kristiansen model 42 rosewood dining chairs and other chairs. The button plugs are made of beech tanned in 3 rosewood variations - a bright colore...
Beech
$76 / set
H 0.52 in Dm 0.41 in
Furniture Plugs Fit for Kai Kristiansen Model 42 and Other Rosewood Chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of 25 button plugs fit for Kai Kristiansen model 42 rosewood dining chairs and other chairs. The button plugs are made og beech tanned in 3 rosewood variations - a bright colore...
Beech
$3,400 / set
H 29.5 in W 20 in D 19 in
4 Rosewood Model 31 Danish Mid Century Modern Dining Chairs by Kai Kristiansen
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Danish Mid Century Modern dining chairs designed by Kai Kristiansen, made in Denmark by Shou Andersen Mobelfabrik, circa 1960's. The chairs feature sculptural, architectural ...
Naugahyde, Rosewood
$1,893 / item
H 29.14 in W 20.87 in D 21.66 in
Set of Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Chairs, Rosewood, Aniline Leather, 1960s
By Skovmand and Andersen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of dining chairs produced by Skovman Andersen for the Illum Bolighus department store in Copenhagen. Rosewood frames with seat and back reupholstered with vintage tan aniline lea...
Leather, Rosewood
Pair of Wood and Fabric Stools, Italy 1950s
Located in Naples, IT
Pair of benches/stools with walnut wood frame, The toe of the legs is satin-finished brass. The seat is upholstered and the cover is green velvet.
Brass
$4,595
H 29 in W 21.5 in D 22 in
Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Mid Century Danish Rosewood Dining Chairs - Pair
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Mid Century Danish Rosewood Dining Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 21.5 wide x 22 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height of 18 and arm height/chair cl...
Upholstery, Rosewood
$1,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 19.75 in W 32.25 in D 18 in
Pair of Klismos Stools, Ottoman, Black Leather
By Theodore Alexander
Located in Miami, FL
Pair Klismos Stools, black leather. Sold by Theodore Alexander. Width is measured from bottom of legs.
Leather, Wood
$9,231 / set
H 29.53 in W 21.26 in D 21.66 in
Set of 6 Kai Kristiansen Model 42 "Z-Chairs" Rio Rosewood
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Kastrup, DK
Kai Kristiansen, design. A set of six armchairs, model 42, also known as the "Z-chair," crafted in Rio rosewood and upholstered in black leather. Designed in 1956 and produced by Sc...
Leather, Rosewood
$1,538 / item
H 29.14 in W 21.26 in D 18.12 in
1960s Kai Kristiansen Fully Restored Customizable Rosewood Dining Chairs
By Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Knebel, DK
Rosewood dining chairs with adjustable swivel backrest by Kai Kristiansen for Schous Møbelfabrik. The chair have Kai Kristiansens typical light and elegant design that make it fit i...
Rosewood
$16,865 / set
H 29.14 in W 21.26 in D 18.12 in
Customizable Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Rosewood Dining Chairs Excellent Condition
By Kai Kristiansen, Schou Andersen Møbelfabrik
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of 10 fully restored model 42 rosewood dining chairs with adjustable backrest in excellent condition by Kai Kristiansen for Schous Møbelfabrik. Set of 10 model 42 rosewood dining...
Rosewood
Kai Kristiansen Pair of Rosewood & Mohair Ottomans 1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen - Rosewood Ottomans, c1950s. Elegant rosewood frame ottomans produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark c1950s. The seats have been reupholstered in a blush pink Pierre Frey...
Rosewood, Mohair, Velvet
Sold
H 14.57 in W 19.69 in D 14.57 in
Kai Kristiansen Pair of Rosewood Ottomans by Aksel Kjersgaard, 1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Pair of Kai Kristiansen rosewood ottomans produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark, circa 1950s. The seats has been reupholstered in off-white, pure wool fabric from Chase Erwin.
Wool, Rosewood
Sold
H 13.78 in W 23.63 in D 13.78 in
Danish Midcentury Stool in Patinated Leather and Oak by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Stool in oak with seat in patinated leather. Designed by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjærsgaard, made in Denmark, 1950s.
Leather, Oak
Kai Kristiansen Teak Stools for Magnus Olesen
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of modern stools designed by Kai Kristiansen and manufactured by Magnus Olesen in Denmark, circa 1960s. These elegant and clean stools feature a teak wood frame with new high-...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Teak
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Ottoman by Aksel Kjersgaard, 1950s
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen ottoman produced by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark, circa 1950s. The seat has been reupholstered in off-white pure wool fabric fro...
Rosewood, Wool
Sold
H 13.78 in W 23.63 in L 13.78 in
Pair of Midcentury Stools in Patinated Leather and Rosewood by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of stools in rosewood with seat in patinated leather. Designed by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjærsgaard, made in Denmark, 1950s.
Leather, Rosewood
Scandinavian Entrance Set in Oak
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Oak entry together stamped and numbered by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjærsgaard, consisting of a bench, a mobile chest with two drawers and a mirror. Referenced in the furniture i...
Oak