Designed in partnership with architect Matti Lampén, the strikingly modernist Hotel Aulanko in Hämeenlinna — as well as the impossibly plush, sheepskin-upholstered Aulanko armchairs for the project — is just one of the many examples of architect and furniture designer Märta Blomstedt’s contributions to the functionalist movement in Finland during the 20th century.
Born in the city of Turku, Blomstedt studied architecture and graduated from the Helsinki University of Technology in 1922. She married fellow student Pauli Blomstedt and together they established an architectural firm. They completed the Finnish Savings Bank in Helsinki and began work on the Hotel Pohjanhovi in Kannonkoski and the small Kannonkoski Church when Pauli died in 1935.
Matti Lampén, another architect who worked on the bank, aided Blomstedt in completing much of her husband’s unfinished work including the Yaskelyaynena Cottage — a Russian heritage building — and the Pohjanhovi Hotel. In 1938, the pair opened a firm together, Blomstedt & Lampén, and designed the Hotel Aulanko and took on a number of WWII restorations, builds and renovations including the Lindström and Sörnäisten Factory and the Pajarin Church.
Not unlike the well-known SAS Royal Hotel designed decades later in Denmark by Arne Jacobsen, Hotel Aulanko was intended to be a complete work of art, wherein the textiles and furnishings — produced by the likes of Paavo Tynell, Taito and Alvar Aalto for Artek, the company he cofounded with his wife, Aino — made up part of the whole.
Prior to Lampén’s death, Blomstedt & Lampén initiated work on a large city plan for the Oravikoski Mining Community which included housing units, apartment buildings, row houses and detached homes as well as community buildings like a cinema, nursery school and sauna. Blomstedt brought in architect Olli Penttilä to help complete the project. Blomstedt and Penttilä went on to design the Vuorimiehentie II building on Blomstedt’s old university campus as well as apartments in Oulu, Finland.
Today, Blomstedt’s 1930s-era Aulanko sheepskin lounge chairs — which may have been inspired by Danish designer Fleming Lassen's Tired Man armchair — remain highly sought after for their historical significance and quality. As an active member of the Finnish Association of Architects and founding member of the 1943 Association of Women Architects, Märta Blomstedt leaves behind a legacy of important milestones for female designers, Finnish architecture and Scandinavian modernism.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Märta Blomstedt seating and other furniture.
"Aulanko" Sheepskin Armchair/Lounge Chair by Märta Blomstedt, Finland, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Amazing lounge chair by Märta Blomstedt, designed for the interior of the “Aulanko” hotel in 1939. Märta Blomstedt was the architecht behind the hotel. Oversized, voluptuous design w...
Sheepskin, Wood
Large Märta Blomstedt "Aulanko" armchair
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Kiiminki, FI
Märta Blomstedt Hotel "Aulanko" lounge chair. Chair is from 1940s and fully reupholstered in warm white sheepskin.
Sheepskin, Wood
Märta Blomstedt Easy Chair Model Aulanko by Häämenlinna, Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Stockholm, SE
Märta Blomstedt Easy Chairs Model Aulanko by Häämenlinna, Finland, 1940s.
Fabric
A Pair of Märta Blomstedt Style Finnish Armchairs, 1940s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful pair of 1940s armchairs in the style of Märta Blomstedt’s Aulanko chair. This pair is slightly smaller than the classical Aul...
Sheepskin, Birch, Pine
Pair of Custom Made Sheepskin Karu Lounge Chairs
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - Karu lounge chair The Karu chair is a contemporary update of a classic design first produced in Finland by the Haimi Oy company in t...
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
Arne Norell Easy Chairs Model Inca, 1970s
By Arne Norell, Norell Möbel AB
Located in Karlstad, SE
Pair of Arne Norell “Inca” Lounge Chairs, Sweden, 1970s Classic pair of “Inca” lounge chairs designed by Arne Norell in the 1970s. The chairs feature Norell’s signature combination ...
Leather, Beech
$29,869 / set
H 34.65 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt Pair of Easy Chairs in Sheepskin, Model Aulanko, Finland
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pair of Märta Blomstedt easy chairs. Legs in stained ash and upholstered in sheepskin. Model designed for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1939. The chairs are newly refinished an upholstere...
Sheepskin, Ash
$4,830
H 35.44 in W 31.7 in D 39.38 in
Large Armchair, Reupholstered in Pure Alpaca Wool, Denmark, 1950s
By Viggo Boesen, Flemming Lassen, Märta Blomstedt, Fritz Hansen
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A large armchair, Denmark, 1950s. Newly upholstered in a luxurious, soft, ivory pure alpaca wool. Fast shipping worldwide.
Alpaca, Wood
Pair of Custom Made Sheepskin Karu Lounge Chairs
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - Karu lounge chair The Karu chair is a contemporary update of a classic design first produced in Finland by the Haimi Oy company in t...
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
Custom Made Sheepskin Lounge Chair
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - Karu lounge chair These high-end lounge chairs are handmade to order at our workshops in England. The chair legs are available in oa...
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
$9,000
H 29.14 in W 30.71 in D 29.14 in
Carl-Johan Boman Finnish Curved Easy Chair in Sahara Sheepskin, 1940s
By Carl-Johan Boman, Boman OY
Located in Prague, New Town
Finnish curved easy chair, designed by Carl-Johan Boman. Produced by Oy Boman Ab in Finland, 1940s. Tapered wooden legs, upholstered in Sahara sheepskin. Please note that a pair of ...
Sheepskin, Wood
1940s Style Custom Made Karu Sheepskin Lounge Chair
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - Karu lounge chair The Karu chair is a contemporary update of a classic design first produced in Finland by the Haimi Oy company in t...
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
$18,000
H 29.14 in W 30.71 in D 29.14 in
Carl-Johan Boman Pair of Finnish Curved Easy Chairs in Sahara Sheepskin, 1940s
By Carl-Johan Boman, Boman OY
Located in Prague, New Town
Pair of Finnish curved easy chairs, designed by Carl-Johan Boman. Produced by Oy Boman Ab in Finland, 1940s. Tapered wooden legs, seats are newly upholstered in Sahara sheepskin. Pl...
Sheepskin, Wood
Scandinavian Midcentury Lounge Chairs in Sheepskin
By Flemming Lassen
Located in Karlstad, SE
Pair of large high-back lounge chairs manufactured in Denmark, 1930s. These majestic chairs surround you with their curved backrest and are just as comfortable as they look. They...
Sheepskin, Wood
Pair of Custom Made Ryo Sheepskin Lounge Chairs
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - Ryo lounge chair The Ryo lounge chair is from our custom-made upholstered range. This piece has been developed and hand-made at our workshops in London using the highest quality materials. The frame is constructed from solid beech wood with a fully sprung seat. The Ryo chair...
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
Sold
H 35.44 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chair for the Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko Wing chair, c1936. This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the foyer of the Hotel Aulanko in Hameenlinna, Finland....
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for the Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko Wing Chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the foyer of the Hotel Aulanko in Hameenlinna, Finland. Around 20 chairs were made for the Hotel itself with tubular steel runner legs. This version of the chair with the spherical, stained elm wood feet is an early production and was subsequently produced for local retailers. It draws inspiration by Danish designer Flemming Lassen's genre-defining 'Tired Man' chair from 1935. This is the larger of the 2 Hotel Aulanko versions that were made and is slightly taller and wider than the other version. This example has been reupholstered in New Zealand sheepskin at our workshop in London. _________________ Märta Blomstedt (1899-1982) was an architect and one of the driving forces of the Finnish functionalism...
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for the Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko Wing Chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the foyer of the Hotel Aulanko in Hameenlinna, Finland. Around 20 chairs were made for the Hotel itself with tubular steel runner legs. This version of the chair with the spherical, stained elm wood feet is an early production and was subsequently produced for local retailers. It draws inspiration by Danish designer Flemming Lassen's genre-defining 'Tired Man' chair from 1935. This is the larger of the 2 Hotel Aulanko versions that were made and is slightly taller and wider than the other version. This example has been reupholstered in New Zealand sheepskin at our workshop in London. --- Märta Blomstedt (1899-1982) was an architect and one of the driving forces of the Finnish functionalism...
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 34.65 in W 41.74 in D 42.52 in
"Aulanko" Armchair by Märta Blomstedt for Hotel Aulanko, Finland, 1930s
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Utrecht, NL
The Finnish architect and designer, Märta Blomstedt, was one of the driving forces of the Finnish functionalism movement. Her first works were noted for their functional, rather than decorative appearance, which clearly changed as evidence by these famous “Aulanko” armchairs. Blomstedt designed all aspects of her buildings including the furnishings, demonstrated in one of her most noted designs of the Hotel Aulanko. The hotel was conceived as a single work of art and the furnishings, dishes and textiles were part of the project. This model – designed in 1939 - got its name after this architectural project and was specifically designed for the lobby of the hotel in Hämeenlinna, Finland. While it has been stated before that this model was heavily inspired by Danish designer, Fleming Lassen's genre-defining 'Tired Man' wing chair from 1935, the “Aulanko” became world-famous in its own right. Most notable is the voluminous body that stands on four bun shaped feet. While this model originally had tubular steel legs, various iterations were produced for the hotel over the subsequent decades. This version with spherical wooden bun feet is one of the earliest examples created and until the late 1940s, Artek marketed this version of the armchair. The flowing, round lines are beautifully accentuated by the light sheepskin. Furthermore, the warm brown colour of the wooden feet nicely contrasts to the soft, light colour of the upholstery, creating a cosy look, not to mention that wooden bun feet make a long-lasting, rock solid foundation for any chair. The large curves and rounded edges of the body and feet are very inviting, asking the user to be embraced by the soft sheepskin. The Aulanko Hotel in Hämeenlinna (the city of Jean Sibelius) was in its time a luxury hotel of international relevance. In this “Aulanko” chair...
Sheepskin, Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in D 37.41 in
Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for the Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko wing chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the foyer of the Hotel Aulanko in Hameenlinna, Finl...
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 34.26 in W 41.74 in L 34.26 in
"Aulanko" Sheepskin Armchair/Lounge Chair by Märta Blomstedt, Finland, 1939
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Amazing lounge chair by Märta Blomstedt, designed for the interior of the “Aulanko” hotel in 1939. Märta Blomstedt was the architect behind the hotel. Oversized, voluptuous design wi...
Sheepskin, Wood
Sold
H 35.44 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chair for The Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko Wing chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the foyer of the Hotel Aulanko in Hameenlinna, Finland. This version of the chair with the spherical, stained elm wood feet is an early production. It was inspired by Danish designer Flemming Lassen's genre-defining 'Tired Man' wing chair from 1935. This is the larger of the 2 versions of the Aulanko chair...
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in L 35.44 in
Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for The Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko wing chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the foyer of the Hotel Aulanko in Hameenlinna, Finl...
Sheepskin, Elm
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Wing Chair for Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko wing chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the foyer of the Hotel Aulanko in Hameenlinna, Fin...
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 35.44 in W 41.34 in L 35.44 in
Pair of Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chairs for The Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko wing chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the foyer of the Hotel Aulanko in Hameenlinna, Finl...
Sheepskin, Elm
Sold
H 35.44 in W 40.56 in D 39.38 in
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Sheepskin Wing Chair for The Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko Wing Chair, 1939. This iconic wing chair was designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the foyer of the Hotel Aulanko in Hameenlinna, Finland....
Sheepskin, Elm
Marta Blomstedt 1930s Pair of Wing Chairs for Hotel Aulanko
By Märta Blomstedt
Located in London, England
Marta Blomstedt Hotel Aulanko armchairs, 1939. Rarely seen armchairs designed by Finnish architect Marta Blomstedt for the Hotel Aulanko, Hameenlinna, Finland in 1939. Various...
Sheepskin, Elm