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.
Swedish Modern, Daybed by Gunnar Berggren & Yngve Ekström for Swedese, 1970s
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful rare daybed made as a prototype by Gunnar Berggren & Yngve Ekström for Swedese in the 1970s. Crafted with a birchwood frame and chromed metal base, harmonizing the warmth...
Metal, Chrome
$2,003 / 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
$5,991
H 29.53 in W 68.9 in D 29.53 in
Yngve Ekström, rare sofa model Kontrapunkt for Swedese, circa 1970
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Rare sofa model Kontrapunkt designed by Yngve Ekström produced by Swedese Möbler AB in Sweden in the 70's. The sofa is a two to three sites couch made in solid pine and a stripe blue...
Fabric, Pine
1960s Yngve Ekström Lamino for Swedese Chair
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Monrovia, CA
1960s Yngve Ekström Lamino chair for Swedese Scandinavian Modern design is stamped, Made In Sweden. A Scandinavian Modern Design of the 1960s by Yngv...
Brass
$2,780Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 38.19 in W 27.56 in D 33.47 in
Yngve Ekström Fortino Lounge Chair & Ottoman in Original Sunflower by Swedese
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Bochum, NRW
Original Sunflower Yellow Corduroy by Swedese, Sweden, 1960s A stunning example of Scandinavian design, this Fortino Lounge Chair with Ottoman by celebrated designer Yngve Ekström fo...
Velvet, Beech, Tapestry
Set of Two Yngve Ekstrom Lamino Chair For Swedese 1970s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Čelinac, BA
Yngve Ekstrom Lamino Longue Chairs For Swedese 1970s
Fabric, Teak
Lamino Longue Chair By Yngve Ekstrom For Swedese 1960s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Čelinac, BA
Yngve Ekstrom Lamino Longue Chair for Swedese 1960s
Leather, Wood
$2,200
H 38 in W 25.5 in D 38 in
Vintage 'Fortino' High Back Lounge Chair by Yngve Ekström for Swedese
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century ‘Fortino’ high back armchair designed by Yngve Ekström for Swedese. This Swedish design features a connected bentwood beech wood frame. The frame is the most impressive f...
Fabric, Upholstery, Foam, Beech, Bentwood
$1,916Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 27.25 in D 28.25 in
Mid-Century Lounge Chair Rusty Cognac Suede Leather Sling Swedese Yngve Ekstrom
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Lamino Series Low Back Yngve Ekstrom Chair in Warm Light Brown Leather. Bent Oak Frame with Teak inlayed sculptural arm rests. W 27.25 x D 28.25 x Seat ...
Oak, Teak
$2,396 / set
H 41.34 in W 27.96 in D 29.53 in
Yngve Ekström Modell Melano Swedese Ox Red Leather Highback Lounge Chair Beech
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Yngve Ekström Modell Melano Highback easy lounge chair with ottomane. Oxred leather in beech wood. The chair is comfortable and has a beautiful vinatge patina. Measures: Chair...
Leather, Beech
$1,178
H 18.51 in W 22.05 in D 15.75 in
1960s Swedish Lamino Footstool Ottoman In Sheepskin By Yngve Ekstrom For Swedese
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A vintage 1960s "Lamino" sheepskin footstool ottoman by Swedish designer Yngve Ekstrom. Both ‘’Lamino’’ armchair and stool were listed among the greatest designs of the Scandinavian...
Sheepskin
Yngve Ekstrom Lamino Longue Chair For Swedese 1960s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Čelinac, BA
Yngve Ekstrom Lamino Longue Chair for Swedese 1960s
Leather, Wood
$4,063
H 40.16 in W 27.56 in D 33.47 in
Lamino Chair with Sheepskin Upholstery by Yngve Ekstrom for Swedese 1950's
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Lamino high-back lounge chair, an early edition by Yngve Ekström. The original laminated oak and teak frame is in excellent condition. The "Lamino" chair was designed in 1956 by Yngv...
Sheepskin, Oak, Teak
Three-Seat Sofa Bed by Yngve Ekstrom for Pastoe, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Pastoe
Located in The Hague, NL
This three-seat sofa-bed, model MX 01, was designed in the 1960s by Yngve Ekstrom and manufactured by Pastoe. It features a wooden frame and has new green upholstery. The sofa back c...
Teak
Yngve Ekstrom MX 01 Sofa Sleeper for Pastoe
By Yngve Ekström, Pastoe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Classic Mid-Century Sofa Sleeper by Yngve Ekstrom for UMS Pastoe, 1960's. Newly Re-finished and Reupholstered. Seat Back Folds Down Completely t...
Brass, Metal