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.
Pair, Mid-Century Pine Armchairs, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970
By Charlotte Perriand, Yngve Ekström, Sven Larsson
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
Mid-Century Pine Sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970
By Charlotte Perriand, Sven Larsson, Yngve Ekström
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Mid-century pine sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970. Mid-century brutalist solid pine lounge chair with new upholstery in it's original brown velvet. Elegant design and great comfor...
Fabric, Oak
Italy Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Wooden Sofa
Located in Brescia, IT
Mid-18th Century hand-carved 1750 Venetian Baroque walnut sofa, three-seat with armrests. Remarkable work by Venetian cabinetmakers. The 18th C...
Walnut, Silk
$1,991 / set
H 36.62 in W 48.43 in D 31.5 in
Yngve Ekström for Swedese Single Sofa and Footstool, 1960s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Rochester, England
Yngve Ekström was one of the most important figures in the evolution of the Scandinavian Modernism movement and co-founder of the furniture design company Swedese. This living room ...
Fabric, Pine
Yngve Ekström Pine Sofa, Swedese, Mid Century Modern, 1970s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
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
$2,200
H 29.73 in W 58.67 in D 31.5 in
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 2-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
By Mogens Hansen, Børge Mogensen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in patinated black leather, resting on legs crafted from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless com...
Leather, Beech
$2,200
H 29.53 in W 56.3 in D 32.29 in
Stouby Møbelfabrik, Mid Century 2-Seater Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s
By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern two-seater sofa upholstered in brown leather, resting on legs made from solid beech. With its clean lines, balanced proportions, and timeless comfort, the pie...
Leather, Beech
$3,500
H 29.93 in W 81.89 in D 31.5 in
Mogens Hansen, Mid-Century 3-Seater Sofa, Patinated Black Leather, 1970s
By Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen
Located in Odense, DK
A classic Danish Modern three-seater sofa upholstered in patinated black leather, resting on legs crafted from solid beech. With its clean lines, generous proportions, and inviting c...
Leather, Beech
Yngve Ekström Pine Lounge Chair, Swedese, Mid Century Modern, 1970s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Chicago, IL
Yngve Ekstrom Lounge Chair, c. 1970 Swedese Pine frame, newly reupholstered in Knoll Textiles "Ferry - Whitehall" 37" H x 31" W x 30" D Condition: Very good overall condition. Pine ...
Pine
Sofa DS-61 by De Sede, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Stockholm, SE
Produced by De Sede, Switzerland, 1960s. Good vintage condition with signs of usage.
Leather
$17,660
H 29.53 in W 78.35 in D 37.41 in
Rare Golden Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Bouclé Sofa, 1970s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
An exciting example of French design firm Maison Jansen’s commissioned pieces. This sofa is made from solid mahogany, lacquered in a rich dark brown and bronze–golden finish. The res...
Brass
$3,900
H 25.6 in W 63 in D 27.56 in
Danish Mid Century Two Seater Sofa in Oak, Reupholstered, by Tage Poulsen, 1960s
By Tage Poulsen
Located in Odense, DK
Lovely 2 seater sofa in oak, reupholstered in a vintage fabric stored from the 1980s. Designed by Danish architect Tage Poulsen, model TP632. Designed in 1962. This sofa can be free...
Fabric, Wood, Oak
$7,558
H 29.53 in W 96.46 in D 33.47 in
Maralunga 3-Seat Sofa by Vico Magistretti in Beige Linen, Cassina 1970s Italian
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern "Maralunga" 3-seater sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. This example features beige linen. Head / backrests are adjustable for a cheeky look that never ...
Linen
$2,950
H 57.5 in W 33.125 in D 35 in
1970's Yngve Ekstrom Style Fat Pine Framed Reclining Sofa with White Upholstery
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chunky pine frame sofa designed in the manner of Yngve Ekström's work for Swedese, dating to the 1970s. The large-scale frame is constructed from solid pine with thick rectangular sl...
Upholstery, Pine