Westnofa Furniture
While Norway comprises something of an unsung chapter in the history of Scandinavian modernism, an export company called Westnofa shouldn’t be overlooked. It represented a collective of the country’s leading manufacturers to promote and export their furniture worldwide. Westnofa was key to the success of Norway’s mid-century designers and furniture brands, and fostered the growth of entities that might otherwise be unknown to today’s design aficionados.
Norway’s furniture factories were largely destroyed during World War II, and while the country’s sophisticated works — designed in teak, pine and other prized woods — had earned a place in Scandinavian modernism, its output was overshadowed by big names such as Alvar Aalto and Arne Jacobsen who’d earned icon status in Finland and Denmark, respectively. Westnofa, a name derived from “West Norway Factories,” took shape in the late 1950s in order to circumvent the limitations that the country’s furniture industry had faced in the areas of marketing and production. Some of the manufacturers connected to Westnofa were P.I. Langlo Møbelfabrikk, Ekornes, Stokke and Vestlandske.
Westnofa took great pains to devise the most cost-effective and efficient method of packing and shipping worldwide. Flat-pack assembly for lightweight shipping was the result. In neighboring Sweden during the late 1940s, DUX president and furniture designer Folke Ohlsson put the same idea into practice. Flat-pack assembly saved space in warehouses and money on transportation. It’s a breakthrough that survives today — namely at popular Swedish brand IKEA.
While it’s unclear if Westnofa also produced furniture in addition to exporting the goods of a group of manufacturers, some of the more well-known designers that are today mentioned alongside the company include Ingmar Relling, Torstein Nilsen and Jens Nielsen. Relling is best known for seating and his most famous piece associated with Westnofa is his high-backed Siesta chair, which features supple leather cushions atop a bentwood frame. Torstein Nilsen designed an elegant glass-topped bentwood dining table that is also commonly linked with Westnofa. Jens Nielsen created minimalist, sculptural lounge chairs in birch and plywood that are connected with the Westnofa name.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Westnofa seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture
Bentwood, Fabric, Leather
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture
Bentwood, Fabric
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Bentwood
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Wood
1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Fabric, Beech
Late 20th Century Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Bentwood
1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Canvas, Wood, Bentwood, Plywood
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Bentwood
Late 20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Wood
1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Bentwood
1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Canvas, Bentwood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Canvas, Bentwood
1970s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Canvas, Beech
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture
Fabric, Bentwood
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Bentwood
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture
Leather, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Westnofa Furniture
Fabric, Bentwood
Westnofa Furniture furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Westnofa Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, the Westnofa furniture company is out of business. Westnofa was a Norwegian furniture company that was best known for the Siesta chair by Ingmar Relling. This chair won awards for its design and became highly desirable in the 60s and 70s, prompting the growth of more Westnofa designs. Unfortunately, the brand's popularity did not last. Shop a collection of vintage Westnofa furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.