Swedish designer-siblings Uno Kristiansson and Östen Kristiansson are best known to collectors of vintage furniture for their imaginative lighting and mirrors. As partners, Uno & Östen Kristiansson united high-quality, practical Scandinavian modern design with fresh innovation.
Uno and Östen Kristiansson were born in southern Sweden. Their father was a furniture maker who owned a workshop — Vittsjo — that was named for the village in which it was located. In 1950, Uno opened his workshop in the same village. He called his company Luxus and brought his younger brother Östen on board as a designer and builder.
Like lots of designers of the era, the Kristianssons favored traditional teak wood but also employed more forward-looking materials such as glass, acrylic, leather and plastic. While their work spoke to the organic forms and craftsmanship that is typical of many Scandinavian modern designers, the brothers created minimalist oak mirrors and shapely pine wall lights — which often featured an integration of rattan — that set them apart from other artisans in their field.
Around 1966, Östen took over their father’s workshop and renamed it Östen Kristiansson AB. He eventually returned the company’s name to Vittsjo.
After 1970, Uno Kristiansson focused primarily on lamps and mirrors. He designed most of these works in acrylic, and wood became more of a secondary material in their composition. Collectors and interior designers continue to prize the many inventive furnishings he produced.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of vintage Uno Kristiansson table lamps, mirrors, decorative objects and more.
Mid-Century Scandinavian 'Hunting Chairs' Attributed to Uno Kristiansson, 1950s
By Uno Kristiansson
Located in Żory, PL
A pair of mid-century "hunting chairs", attributed to the esteemed Swedish designers Uno & Östen Kristiansson, crafted in the 1950s. These pieces showcase a refined Scandinavian desi...
Oak
Uno Kristiansson, Sofa, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, 1970s
By Luxus Vittsjö, Uno Kristiansson
Located in High Point, NC
A solid pine and off-white fabric sofa designed by Uno and Östen Kristiansson and produced by Luxus, Vittsjö, Sweden, 1970s. Dimensions: 31.75” H x 87.5” W x 36.5” D Seat height: 1...
Fabric, Pine
Vintage Sofa in Fabric, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Sofa realized by an italian manufacture in 1970s. Padded fabric. Signs of time, especially a discoloration on the back.
Fabric, Wood
On Hold|$7,410 / set
H 31.5 in W 29.14 in D 33.08 in
Pair of Italian Mid-Century Armchairs, attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Buccinasco, MI
This elegant pair of Italian mid-century armchairs, attributed to Paolo Buffa, beautifully reflects the refined balance between sculptural form and artisanal craftsmanship that chara...
Velvet, Wood, Cherry
$2,280
H 35.44 in W 18.31 in D 18.9 in
Scandinavian Modern, Stump Chair / “Kubstol” in Pine, Mid 20th Century, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
A fine example of a mid 20th-century Swedish Stump Chair, "Kubstol", crafted in pine with a sculptural silhouette and clean lines. The chair’s understated character is enhanced by th...
Pine
$11,101 / set
H 38.59 in W 30.71 in D 32.68 in
Attributed of Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Armchairs, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Rare pair of wingback armchairs attributed to Paolo Buffa and produced in the 1950s. The armchairs have been restored and upholstered with ivory velvet. Paolo Buffa was an Italian d...
Velvet, Walnut
Arne Norell Sofa Kontiki by Arne Norell, Sweden, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
3-Seater sofa model Kontiki designed by Arne Norell in original green leather and black frame. Produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden. Very good condition.
Leather
Mid Century Scandinavian Lounge Chair, 1950's
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Stunning lounge chair designed and produced in Scandinavia, 1950's. It has a very comfortable seat. The chair is just restored with new foam and new fabric, so it is in perfect ...
Bouclé, Wood
$1,409
H 31.89 in W 25.2 in D 23.23 in
Pair of Italian Armchairs Attributed to Guglielmo Ulrich, 1950s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Palermo, PA
Pair of Italian armchairs attributed to Guglielmo Ulrich, 1950s. Dimensions: H= 81 cm; W= 64 cm; D= 59 cm; H seat= 42 cm.
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Modular Sofa, Original Fabric, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Modular Sofa, Original Fabric, 1970s
Fabric
Pine Sofa by Uno & Östen Kristiansson for Luxus Sweden 1970s
By Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Luxus of Sweden
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Pine Sofa by Uno & Östen Kristiansson Luxus Sweden 1970s High-quality sofa with a solid pine wood frame, crafted in Sweden. Features distinctive turned details and a perfect balance...
Fabric, Pine
$3,739
H 25.6 in W 82.68 in D 33.47 in
Large Sofa by Ate Van Apeldoorn in Solid Pine and Fabric, Netherlands, 1970s
By Houtwerk Hattem
Located in Echt, NL
3-seat sofa by Ate Van Apeldoorn in good condition. The sofa is manufactured in Holland by Houtwerk Hattem in the 1970s. It is made of solid pine wood which is connected by trade...
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood, Pine
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chairs, USA, 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elevate your living space with this exquisite pair of mid-century modern lounge chairs, handcrafted in the USA. Built upon sturdy oak frames with a refined walnut stain, these chairs...
Fabric, Walnut
Arne Norell Sofa model Kontiki, Sweden, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Stockholm, SE
3-Seater sofa model Kontiki designed by Arne Norell in original brown leather. Produced by Arne Norell AB in Aneby, Sweden. Cushions newly lubricated with leather conditioner. Very ...
Leather
Uno Kristiansson, Lounge Chair, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, 1970s
By Uno Kristiansson
Located in High Point, NC
A solid pine and beige fabric lounge chair designed by Uno Kristiansson and produced by Luxus, Vittsjö, Sweden, c. 1970s. 16.5” seat height
Fabric, Pine
Uno Kristiansson, Sofa, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, 1970s
By Uno Kristiansson
Located in High Point, NC
A solid pine and off-white fabric sofa designed by Uno Kristiansson and produced by Luxus, Vittsjö, Sweden, 1970s. Seat Height (inches): 14.5” Arm Height (inches): 19.63" All item...
Fabric, Pine
Sold
H 15.75 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Stool Designed by Uno and Östen Kristiansson for Vittsö, Sweden, 1960s
By Uno Kristiansson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stool designed by Uno and Östen Kristiansson for Vittsö, Sweden, 1960s. Teak and leather. H: 40 cm W: 42 cm D: 42 cm.
Leather, Teak
Sold
H 18.12 in W 18.12 in D 16.54 in
Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Stool, Oak, Leather, Luxus, Vittsjö, Sweden, 1960s
By Uno Kristiansson, Luxus Vittsjö
Located in High Point, NC
A sculptural oak stool. Designed by Uno and Östen Kristiansson, for Luxus, Vittsjö, Sweden, 1960s. Original natural leather presents with dramatic and appealing patina. Other ...
Leather, Oak
Rosewood and Boucle Wool Stools by Uno Kristiansson, 1960s
By Uno Kristiansson
Located in London, England
A matching pair of tri-leg rosewood stools by Swedish designer Uno Kristiansson. The seats have been reupholstered in new, luxurious boucle wool fabric. Swedish designers and brothers Uno & Östen Kristiansson, known for their lighting and mirror designs, were particularly active from the 1950s-1970s in Sweden. They were prolific designers with a clear design aesthetic that is easily recognisable as Scandinavian modern. Although there is a dearth of biographical information available on the pair, their designs are nonetheless appreciated by vintage lovers, and are highly sought-after on the vintage market today. Uno was born in 1925, and Östen two years later in 1927. Little is known about their formative years, but it can be surmised that they spent their early years in southern Sweden, learning the furniture trade from their father who ran his own furniture business, Vittsjö Furniture (established in 1919), named after the Swedish village in which it was located. In 1950, Uno Kristiansson founded his own manufacturing company, Luxus, which was also situated in Vittsjö. He produced a range of products, including home and interior lamps, furniture and mirrors, that were designed by the two brothers. In the 1950s, the collections were launched nationally in Sweden, and internationally across Europe. In 1968, Luxus presented a collection of lamps with brightly colored textile...
Bouclé, Rosewood
Uno Kristiansson & Östen Kristiansson Leather and Steel Stools for Luxus
By Östen Kristiansson, Luxus of Sweden, Uno Kristiansson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Uno Kristiansson & Östen Kristiansson. Manufacturer: Luxus. Period/Style: Scandinavian Modern. Country: Sweden. Date: 1960s. Dimensions: 14″ H x 19″ W. Materials: L...
Steel