Vintage Yngve Ekström furniture embodies the beauty and simplicity of the Scandinavian modern style. The Swedish designer, architect and woodworker created clean-lined hardwood pieces with sophisticated details and flourishes. He was known for his comfortable lounge chair designs as well as chic cocktail tables and handsome highboard cabinets.
Ekström was born in 1913 in Småland, home to Sweden’s oldest furniture factory, Hagafors Stolfabrik. After his father died, he began working at the factory. In 1945, Ekström and his older brother, Jerker Ekström, opened ESE Möbler, a furniture company headquartered in their hometown. In 1952, they received acclaim for their innovative Thema chair. The laminated veneer chair was packed flat for easy shipping so customers could assemble it at home. Ekström followed it with the 1955 Arka chair for the furniture manufacturer Stolab. A spindle backrest and spacious curved seat gave the chair comfort and style.
Ekström’s most popular design was the 1956 Lamino chair. Still in production, the minimalist wooden-frame chair features a sinuous and inviting profile with a high backrest. Looking back at his well-loved design, Ekström said: “To have designed one good chair might not be a bad life’s work.”
After Ekström’s brother left the company, he changed the name to Swedese. Ekström sold Swedese in 1974, but continued to design for it until he died in 1988. His furniture is in museum collections around the world, including the National Museum in Stockholm, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the Victoria & Albert museum in London. In 1999, Swedish design magazine Sköna Hems named the Lamino chair the “20th-Century’s Best Swedish Furniture Design.”
Swedese, which still occupies its original building in Småland, partnered with artist Kustaa Saksi in 2017 to update the iconic Lamino chair.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Yngve Ekström seating, tables, storage cabinets and more.
Yngve Ekström Coffee / Side Table by Westbergs in Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table / side table / bench designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced by Westbergs in Tranås, Sweden.
Oak, Teak
Midcentury Swedish Sofas, Benchs "Primo" Yngve Ekström Skandiform, 1970s
By Bruno Mathsson, Skandiform, Yngve Ekström
Located in Praha, CZ
- 3-seat - confortable - marked by imprinted label - sofa or bench - in style of Bruno Mathsson or Gustav Axel Berg.
Fabric, Bentwood
Yngve Ekström Orange and Brown Pine Two-Seat Bench
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Weesp, NL
Elegant solid Pine bench designed by Yngve Ekström for Swedese. It has been produced in the late 1960s. The bench will be taken apart when shipped. It takes about 10 minutes to put ...
Pine
Pine Two Compartment Storage Bench or Settle
Located in Baltimore, MD
This massive bench , over eight feet long, has two storage compartments, each accessed by a 42” wide hinged lid. The long upper back rail is straight with a concave “bite” out of ea...
Pine
Yngve Ekström Pine Sofa, Swedese, Mid Century Modern, 1970s
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Chicago, IL
Yngve Ekstrom Sofa, c. 1970 Swedese Pine frame, newly reupholstered in Knoll Textiles "Ferry - Whitehall" 27 1/2" H x 77 1/2" W x 30" D Condition: Very good overall condition. Pine ...
Pine
Early American Two Seater Setteee Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early American Style two seater bench measuring 36.5" in Width, 20" in depth, 33" in height, 17.75" seat height. Arm height 29.75". Sear interior with is 32.5" and seat indetrior...
Hardwood
$3,776
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Lamino Lounge Chair by Yngve Ekström for Swedese Sweden, 1960s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Berlin, DE
Iconic Lamino lounge chair designed by Yngve Ekström for Swedese. Crafted in oak plywood with a beautifully shaped frame and a comfortable seat upholstered in brown suede. The frame...
Suede, Oak, Plywood
Swedish Designer, Bench, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A low pine bench with shoe rack designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.5"H x 31.0"W x 12.75"D Seat Height (inc...
Wood, Pine
Sculpted Bench or Side Table N4 in Solid Oakwood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or side table in solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authentic sty...
Oak
Two Seat Low Bench for John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Dallas, TX
This low bench for John Stuart has been professional refinished and reupholstered in a Anne Kirk linen wool blend. The piece is unmarked.
Wool, Linen, Teak
Swedish Designer, Low Bench, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A low pine bench, designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s.
Pine
$4,100 / set
H 26.38 in W 29.53 in D 28.35 in
Pair, Mid-Century Pine Armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970
By Sven Larsson, Charlotte Perriand, Yngve Ekström
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Mid-century pine armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970 Mid-century brutalist solid pine lounge chair with new upholstery in it's original brown corduroy. Elegant design and great ...
Fabric, Pine
Yngve Ekström, Lounge Chair, Oak, Velvet, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and brown velvet lounge chair designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Swedese, Sweden, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Reupholstered in brand new velvet. Max D...
Velvet, Oak
Sven Larsson, Bench, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
By Sven Larsson
Located in High Point, NC
A pine bench designed by Sven Larsson and produced by Sven Larsson Möbelshop, Sweden, c. 1970s. Top has light scratches Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inche...
Pine
French Bamboo and Bouclé Two-Seater Bench, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
French Bamboo and Bouclé Two-Seater Bench, 1960s A beautifully crafted bamboo two-seater bench from France, dating to the 1960s, this piece is a striking example of mid-century orga...
Bouclé, Bamboo
Yngve Ekström Oregon Pine Bench for Swedese, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Dronten, NL
Swedese’s founder Yngve Ekström was one of Sweden’s leading furniture designers during the 1950s and 60s. The organic and neat elegance of these chairs is typical of Ekström’s approa...
Fabric, Pine
"Småland" Bench by Yngve Ekström for Stolab, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Karis, Nyland
Beautiful rare bench "Småland" designed by Yngve Ekström in Sweden around 1950. This unique piece is completely made of birch wood. In good original condition with wear consistent...
Birch
Sold
H 17.52 in W 17.72 in D 12.21 in
Vintage Swedish Modern Solid Oak Stool by Yngve Ekström, Model "palle", 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Odense, DK
Vintage Swedish modern solid oak stool by Yngve Ekström, Model "palle", 1950s. Great craftmanship and a beautiful patina.
Wood, Oak
Sold
H 29.5 in W 54.5 in D 28 in
Matched Pair of Scandinavian Modern "Ruster" Sofa's, Yngve Exstrom, Pastoe 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Pastoe
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning matched pair of settee's/loveseats designed by Yngve Extsrom for Pastoe "RUSTER" made in Sweden, circa 1960s. Superior quality and construction, sculpted teak wood construct...
Fabric, Teak
1950s, Plant Bench / Coffee Table by Yngve Ekström in Teak
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
A beautiful plant bench designed by Yngve Ekström. The bench is made of teak. There is room for plants of flowers in the copper compartment. It is in ex...
Copper
Yngve Ekström Coffee or Side Table by Westbergs in Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table, side table or bench designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced by Westbergs in Tranås, Sweden.
Oak, Teak
Sold
H 15.75 in W 70.87 in D 19.69 in
Yngve Ekström side table / bench produced by Westbergs in Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table / side table / bench designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced by Westbergs in Tranås, Sweden.
Oak, Teak