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 Rosewood Ex Long Executive Desk by Feldballes Denmark
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A stunning floating top luxurious rosewood long style executive desk with three drawers to each side and to the back a center bookcase and two doors with storage. Included is the key...
Rosewood
H 28.5 in W 59.75 in D 31.5 in
Executive Desk with Floating Top in Teak Near Mint Condition, Denmark 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen, Gunni Omann
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very beautiful designed executive desks In the style of Gunni Omann's Model 75 and Kai Kristiansen's Model 60. Classic Made of solid and veneered teak. The desk features a desk top t...
Teak
H 17.25 in W 33.375 in D 17 in
Rosewood Nesting Tables Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik Denmark, 1960
By Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Camden, ME
Kai Kristiansen for Vildbjerg Mobelfabrik design rare set of 3 rosewood nesting tables produced in Denmark, 1960. The beautifully grained Brazilian rose...
Rosewood
H 44.5 in W 46.25 in D 16.88 in
Kai Kristiansen Danish Modern Rosewood Vanity for Aksel Kjersgaard
By Aksel Kjersgaard, Kai Kristiansen
Located in New Windsor, NY
Kai Kristiansen designed rosewood vanity/dressing table by Ansel Kjersgaard featuring a finely figured rosewood veneers, removable tri-fold mirror, beveled edge legs, three drawers w...
Brass
H 29.25 in W 63 in D 27.5 in
Mid-Century Rosewood Floating Top Executive Desk by Fristho
By Fristho, Kho Liang Ie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Executive desk by Fristho features a commanding floating rosewood top suspended 2.5 inches above dual cabinet bases. White lacquered supports create dramatic visual separation betwee...
Leather, Rosewood, Lacquer
H 29 in W 82.75 in D 39.5 in
Imposing Dyrlund Rosewood Executive 'Super Skyline' Desk, Made in Denmark, 1970s
By Dyrlund
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made in Copenhagen, Denmark by Dyrlund in the 1970s, this desk was once the crown jewel in Dyrlund's lineup. According to their website, this desk consists of models 810...
Glass, Rosewood
H 29.5 in W 55 in D 29.5 in
1960s Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Danish Modern Teak Writing Desk Bring refined Scandinavian craftsmanship into your home with this exceptional Danish modern teak writing desk, designed and built in Denmark during t...
Teak
H 29.25 in W 50.75 in D 23.6 in
Mid Century Cantilever Teak Desk in Manner of Kai Kristiansen, Ca. 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Peabody, MA
A mid-century cantilever desk with teak top and ebonized lacquered base, circa 1960s. Two drawers with leather handles feature ebonized interiors with built in pen/pencil holders. U...
Leather, Wood, Teak, Lacquer
H 30 in W 29 in D 62.5 in
1960's Executive Desk from Denmark
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Executive desk from Denmark circa mid-1960s now available. This example has matte black iron legs, open back for additional storage, interior and exterior drawers and original brass ...
Steel
H 16 in W 16 in D 16 in
Pair of Vintage Rosewood Side Tables by Kai Kristiansen, Denmark, 1960s
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern side tables designed by Kai Kristiansen, crafted in Denmark during the 1960s. Each table showcases beautiful natural rosewood grain with rich tonal...
Rosewood
H 28.5 in W 64 in D 29 in
Peter Lovig Nielsen Flip Top Executive Desk in Rosewood
By Lovig Dansk
Located in Seattle, WA
Extremely rare Flip top partner's desk by Peter Lovig Nielsen in rosewood with brass fittings The top shelf of the desk flips down to extend the work surface allowing it to be used a...
Brass
H 45.28 in W 46.46 in D 16.93 in
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood 1960s Danish Dressing Table
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in London, England
Kai Kristiansen Model 40 Rosewood Dressing table with folding 3-piece mirror. This dressing table was made from highly figured exotic rosewood by Aksel Kjersgaard in Denmark in the 1...
Rosewood
H 28 in W 68.5 in D 29.5 in
Danish Modern Rosewood Desk by Riis Antonsen
By Riis Antonsen
Located in Huntington, NY
Danish Modern Rosewood Desk by Riis Antonsen has 1 key The large dimensions Ideal for comfortable working surface. Desk well restored & ready for Use!
Rosewood
H 28.5 in W 60 in D 30.5 in
Kai Kristiansen FM60 Teak Desk, Scandinavian Modern, Hand-Crafted 1960
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Kai Christiansen Teak Desk Model FM60 for Feldballes with front open bookcases. Beautiful Desk that would have a real presence in a room floating top with drawers on each side. Top ...
Teak
H 28.35 in W 67.72 in D 33.47 in
Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik Desk in Rosewood
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Møbelfabrik, desk model 70, rosewood, brass, Denmark, design 1958, production 1960s Kair Kristiansen designed a ...
Wood
H 29.73 in W 53.35 in D 26.97 in
Kai Kristiansen Bookmatched Walnut Desk, 1955
By Feldballes Møbelfabrik, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, walnut by Kai Kristiansen for Feldballes Mobelfabrik, Denmark, 1955 This small and elegant solid walnut desk was designed by Kai Kristiansen and executed by Feldballes...
Brass
H 28.35 in W 59.85 in D 30.71 in
Kai Kristiansen Desk in Rosewood
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Kai Kristiansen, desk, rosewood, Denmark, 1950s. This elegant, small desk is designed by is a Danish furniture designer Kai Kristiansen. The desk is executed in the finest rosewo...
Rosewood
H 28.5 in W 59.75 in D 30.5 in
1960s Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
✨ Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk by Kai Kristiansen ✨ This outstanding mid-century executive desk, designed by celebrated Danish designer Kai Kristiansen, is a master...
Teak
H 28.25 in W 29.5 in D 61 in
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Executive Desk
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in San Diego, CA
Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Executive Desk Elevate your workspace with the Kai Kristiansen Rosewood Executive Desk, a timeless example of mid-century Danish modern furniture. Designed ...
Rosewood
H 28.94 in W 70.87 in D 33.27 in
Mid-Century Teak Desk By Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A large and impressive vintage Danish desk in teak. Designed by Kai Kristiansen, it dates from the 1960’’s. The back features two lockable compartments and an open shelf. A practic...
Teak
H 29.93 in W 55.91 in D 29.14 in
Danish Vintage Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
An absolutely spectacular Danish vintage teak desk by Kai Kristiansen. This is the model 54 desk, it was made in Denmark in the 1960’s. I...
Teak
H 28.75 in W 59.85 in D 30.71 in
Vintage Danish Desk by Kai Kristiansen
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in London, GB
A magnificent vintage Danish desk by Kai Kristiansen, dating from the 1960’s. It is of outstanding quality, with a gorgeous colour and stunning grain patterns. There is ample work s...
Wood
H 28.35 in W 70.87 in D 33.08 in
KAI KRISTIANSEN DESK FM60 1960's
By Kai Kristiansen
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This desk by Kai Kristiansen, one of the leading designers of Scandinavian furniture from the 1950s onwards, is called FM60 because it was manufactured at Fedballe Møbelfabrik.Design...
Teak
H 28.5 in W 67.5 in D 33.25 in
Kai Kristiansen Executive Teak Desk Model 70
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Kai Kristiansen Teak Desk with drawers and front cabinets! Desk opening is 24.5 wide and 26.5 high. Sled Style Runner Legs. One of Kristiansen's finest and most iconic d...
Teak
H 28.75 in W 70.87 in D 33.27 in
Danish Modern Model 58 Long Teak Desk by Kai Kristiansen by FM Møbler, 1960s.
By Kai Kristiansen, Feldballes Møbelfabrik
Located in Asaa, DK
Scandinavian Modern executive teak desk by Kai Kristiansen for FM Møbler 1960s. Freestanding Danish Mid-Century Modern writing desk Model FM 58 (extra long) in teak designed by Danis...
Teak