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
$47 / 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
$75 / set
H 0.52 in Dm 0.41 in
25 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
$4,901 / set
H 29.93 in W 21.26 in D 21.26 in
1960s Kai Kristiansen Set of 6 Model 32 Teak Dining Chairs in Sheepskin Fabric
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Praha, CZ
Carefully refurbished newly upholstered in fabric imitating sheepskin height of seat 46 cm.
Faux Leather, Teak
$1,867 / 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 black pure aniline leat...
Leather, Rosewood
$5,580 / set
H 29.25 in W 21 in D 21 in
Set of four Danish Kai Kristiansen model 42 rosewood & leather dining chairs
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Liberty, NY
Stunning classic set of four mid century 1960's Danish rosewood model 42 dining chairs by Kai Kristiansen. The sculptural rosewood frames display beautiful craftsmanship, with the ba...
Leather, Rosewood
Pair of Brazilian Rosewood Ottomans / Stools
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
pair of Oversized Brazilian Rosewood Ottomans/Stools Wonderful Leather Foundation Details Original Finish Cushions re-upholstered
Leather
$7,329 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.99 in D 17.33 in
Set Of 6 Kai Kristiansen Model 42 Dining Chairs In Rosewood With Blue Upholstery
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Set of dining chairs, model 42, designed by Kai Kristiansen in the 1960s. The chairs are crafted in rosewood and are characterized by their elegant proportions, sculptural backrests ...
Fabric, Rosewood
$1,867 / 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 vintage tan aniline lea...
Leather, Rosewood
Rare Danish Armchair in the Style of Kai Kristiansen
By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Vienna, AT
Armchair with solid teak frame, seat and headpiece upholstered. Designed in the early 1970s. In the style of Kai Kristiansen "fire" armchair. Attributed to Hans Hovmand Olsen...
Teak
$3,795
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
$1,867
H 15.75 in W 24.41 in D 24.41 in
Kai Kristiansen Univers ottoman in full grain aniline leather and rosewood
By Kai Kristiansen, Magnus Olesen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kai Kristiansen ottoman in rosewood and new upholstered cognac vintage aniline leather cushion. Model Univers, made by Magnus Olsen.
Leather, Rosewood
Pair of Bespoke Gueridon Ottoman, COM fabric, must see!
By Guéridon Design
Located in Stratford, CT
INTRODUCTION Gueridon handmade ottomans are made to order to your liking and specifications. 100% made in USA. Following the success of its ottomans, GUERIDON launched a full line ...
Upholstery, Wood
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 Magnus Olesen, Kai Kristiansen
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
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