While Poul Cadovius is most famous for his modular floating shelving system, his career in design didn’t actually start with wall units.
Born just outside of Copenhagen in 1911, Cadovius began manufacturing window treatments in the 1940s with his partner, Hother Brønner. He soon turned his focus from Venetian blinds to furniture, finding success designing svelte pieces in teak, a richly colored hardwood favored by the Danish mid-century modernists.
In 1945, Cadovius founded the furniture manufacturer Royal System with his designs, including the 1948 Royal System shelving unit, a space-saving solution that underscored Cadovius’s penchant for problem-solving in a multifunctional way. Rather than balance shelves on wooden or metal legs, it held them to the wall with brackets.
Cadovius followed the Royal System shelving unit with the System Ultra in 1957, the System Cado in 1960 and the System Abstracta, which was installed throughout the exhibition halls of the 1962 Cologne Furniture Fair. All expanded on his idea of wall-mounted shelving that saved space while offering functionality, allowing for limitless combinations of storage, shelves, work surfaces and other units. The Royal System proved to be especially popular and is still produced by Danish furniture brand dk3 today, with early models continuing to be in demand.
Along with the shelving systems, Cadovius designed everything from lounge chairs to mushroom-shaped bus shelters, and he held over 400 patents. In addition to being a designer, he was also an entrepreneur with an eye for opportunity, such as purchasing Danish manufacturer France & Søn in the mid-1960s and folded it into Cado, a company he founded years earlier. He used this as an occasion to experiment with his designs, conceiving such unusual pieces as an aluminum-based dining table topped with rosewood and hand-painted by artist Susan Fjedldoe Mygge.
Cadovius’s innovations in shelving continued throughout his career, with examples like the sculptural Butterfly shelf and vertical pieces mixing shelving and storage. In 2018, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Royal System, dk3 reissued the celebrated shelving system as well as a more compact version reimagined for 21st-century homes.
Find a collection of vintage Poul Cadovius storage cabinets, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
President Lounge Chair by Steen Ostergaard for Poul Cadovius, Denmark 1970s
By Poul Cadovius, Steen Ostergaard
Located in Haderslev, DK
Iconic lounge chair from the 1970s by Steen Ostergaard for Poul Cadovius. The model is called President lounge chair. It has been fully r...
Felt, Fiberglass
vintage armchair + ottoman sofa Cadovius France & Son
By France & Søn, Poul Cadovius
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage armchair + ottoman sofa Cadovius France & Son Vintage modular sofa consisting of an armchair with ottoman. Model "Revolt" designed by Poul Cadovius for France & Son in th...
Aluminum
Pair of Fd 211 "Guvenør" Lounge Chairs in Oak
By France & Søn, Poul Cadovius
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Poul Cadovious Manufacturer: France + Søn Era: 1960s Materials: Oak Measurements: 33" wide x 31" deep x 28" tall Condition: In excellent original c...
Oak
H 33.47 in W 27.56 in D 29.14 in
Danish Modern, Pair of Lounge Chairs in Oak & Lambswool, Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
A stunning pair of Danish modern lounge chairs in the style of Henning (Henry) Kjærnulf. Made in oak and reupholstered cushions in a great quality shearling lambswool. Made in 1960s ...
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Oak
H 29.53 in W 19.3 in D 18.9 in
PIA Chair by Poul Cadovius, Walnut
By DK3, Poul Cadovius
Located in Paris, IDF
PIA chair Solid oak frame, paper cordel seat Dimensions: H 75 x 49 x 48 cm (seat height 45cm) Wood: – Oak – Smoked oak – Black lacquered oak – Walnut Paper cordel: – Natural – Black (Contact us) -- The Pia chair signed by DK3 was imagined and designed by the famous designer Poul...
Walnut
H 38.59 in W 27.17 in D 29.53 in
Danish Modern, A Pair of Highback Lounge Chairs in Oak & Lambswool, 1950s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
A stunning pair of Danish modern lounge chairs in the style of Henning (Henry) Kjærnulf. Made in oak and reupholstered cushions in a great quality shearling lambswool. Made in 1950s ...
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Oak
H 26 in W 24 in D 24.5 in
Pair of Mid-Century Barrel Back Lounge Chairs in Oak after Lou Hodges
By Lou Hodges
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of oak lounge chairs in the the style of Lou Hodges. The chairs feature solid oak framing with original tweed fabric in very good condition.
Fabric, Wood
H 30 in W 27 in D 23 in
Finn Juhl FD 112 Armchair Lounge, Rosewood, Cado, France & Søn, 1960s, Denmark
By Cado, France & Søn, Finn Juhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Finn Juhl FD 112 Armchair Lounge, Rosewood, Cado, France & Søn, 1960s, Denmark. Arms are removable. You can use as armless lounge as well. (See final pho...
Textile, Rosewood
H 30.5 in W 28 in D 29 in
Pair of Danish 1940-50s Lounge Chairs with Carved Armrests in Oak
By Mogens Lassen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super charming 1940s pair of lounge chairs in the style of Mogens Lassen with a very sculptural organic shape and harmonious proportions. Versatile and very suitable for a smaller sp...
Mohair, Beech
H 30.32 in W 29.14 in D 28.35 in
FD 133 lounge chair by Finn Juhl for France & Daverkosen
By France & Daverkosen, Finn Juhl
Located in PARIS, FR
The lounge chair nicknamed Spade Chair, presents the aesthetic characteristics of Juhl’s design and is one of his most emblematic projects. This one is in great condition and it is t...
Wool, Teak
H 31 in W 23 in D 22 in
Pair of Curvaceous Mid Century Oak Lounge Chairs
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Curvaceous Mid Century Oak Lounge or Occasional Chairs, American, circa 1950s. These chairs are currently being reupholstered and can be completed in your fabric. Simply send...
Upholstery, Wood, Oak
H 32.68 in W 38.19 in D 32.29 in
Danish Modern, A Pair of Lounge Chairs in Oak & Wool, Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf, Hans J. Wegner, Arne Vodder
Located in Odense, DK
A fascinating sculptural pair of Danish modern lounge chairs in the manner of Henning (Henry) Kjærnulf. Made in solid oak and the original brown savak wool upholstery. Made in the 19...
Wool, Oak
H 30 in W 24 in D 27 in
Ole Wanscher Model FD-109 Lounge Chair for France & Søn
By France & Søn, Ole Wanscher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant lounge chair designed by Ole Wanscher for France & Søn in Denmark, circa 1950s. This rare vintage model FD-109 lounge chair maintains th...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut
H 40.56 in W 33.08 in D 30.71 in
Pair of Henry Kjærnulf Lounge Chairs in Oak, Nyrup Møbelfabrik 1970s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Balen, BE
Discover a rare pair of lounge chairs designed by Henry Kjærnulf, masterfully crafted by Nyrup Møbelfabrik in Denmark. These chairs are a testament to Kjærnulf's expression, combinin...
Oak
H 30.75 in W 31 in D 28 in
Finn Juhl Lounge Chair Model FD 136 in Teak
By Finn Juhl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lounge chair model number FD 136 designed by Finn Juhl for France & Son, Denmark, with a curved backrest and an undulating seat that floats within a spare, eleg...
Cotton, Teak
H 28.5 in W 33.25 in D 20.5 in
Vintage Boho Poul Cadovius “Govenor” Teak Case Lounge Chairs - A Pair
By Poul Cadovius
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This extraordinary pair of "Governor" lounge chairs, designed by the legendary Poul Cadovius for CADO, is a masterclass in Danish Modernism and Postmodern architectural form. Charact...
Fabric, Bouclé, Teak
H 30.32 in W 34.26 in D 27.96 in
vintage armchair sofa Cadovius France & Son
By Poul Cadovius, France & Søn
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage armchair Cadovius France & Son Vintage modular sofa consisting of an armchair. Model "Revolt" designed by Poul Cadovius for France & Son in the 1970s. Can also be combined ...
Aluminum
H 28.75 in W 27.17 in D 29.93 in
Poul Cadovius lounge chair of Ash, Aniline Leather, Canvas and Saddle Leather
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Poul Cadovius lounge chair with frame of ash. Seat and back with canvas, original upholstered tan leather cushions. Made by Cado.
Leather, Canvas, Ash
H 31.5 in W 33.08 in D 27.56 in
Poul Cadovius Rosewood Lounge Chairs Basket Weave Pair France & Son Denmark 1962
By Poul Cadovius, France & Søn
Located in Camden, ME
Poul Cadovius "Guvernor" pair of lounge chairs with rosewood basketweave detail produced by France & Son in Denmark. This pair of chairs and a matching 3 seat sofa were imported to R...
Acrylic, Teak, Bouclé, Rosewood
H 27.5 in W 28 in D 28.5 in
Poul Cadovius Mid Century Teak Lounge Chairs, a Pair
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Poul Cadovius mid century teak lounge chairs - a pair Each chair measures: 28 wide x 28.5 deep x 27.5 high, with a seat height of ...
Upholstery, Teak
H 35.44 in W 34.65 in D 34.26 in
President Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Steen Østergaard for Cado, Denmark, 1970s
By Poul Cadovius, Steen Ostergaard, Cado
Located in Haderslev, DK
All refurbished set President lounge chair by Steen Østergaard for Poul Cadovius, Denmark, 1970s. Space Age seat with ottoman with new dark g...
Felt, Fiberglass
H 27.96 in W 33.08 in D 31.11 in
Poul Cadovius Easy Chairs Produced by France & Son in Denmark
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare pair of easy chairs designed by Poul Cadovius. Produced by France & Son in Denmark.
Fabric, Rosewood
H 31 in W 30 in D 28.5 in
Paul Cadovius Danish Lounge Chairs for Cado
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of upholstered and teak wood lounge chairs designed by Paul Cadovius in a soft oatmeal toned fabric from the period. Retains the manufactures meta...
H 27.96 in W 33.08 in D 31.11 in
Poul Cadovius Easy Chairs Produced by France & Son in Denmark
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Very rare pair of easy chairs with side table designed by Poul Cadovius. Produced by France & Son in Denmark.
Fabric, Rosewood
H 33.86 in W 34.65 in D 38.59 in
Unique Danish Prototype Lounge Chair by Steen Ostergaard
By Ostergaard Steen, Abstracta, Poul Cadovius
Located in Haderslev, DK
The President lounge chair by Steen Ostergaard 1967. Steen Østergaard, award winning Industrial designer from the golden age of danish contem...
Fiberglass, Leather