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
$1,990 / set
H 36.62 in W 48.43 in D 31.5 in
Yngve Ekström for Swedese Single Sofa and Footstool, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
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
$3,835
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Lamino Lounge Chair by Yngve Ekström for Swedese Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
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
$2,200
H 38 in W 25.5 in D 38 in
Vintage 'Fortino' High Back Lounge Chair by Yngve Ekström for Swedese
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
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
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
Yngve Ekström Pine Lounge Chair, Swedese, Mid Century Modern, 1970s
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
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
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
1960s Yngve Ekström Lamino for Swedese Chair
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
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
$3,026
H 39.77 in W 27.56 in D 30.71 in
Yngve Ekström Lamino Easy Chair by Swedese in Walnut and Sheepskin
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Tilburg, NL
Yngve Ekström Lamino Easy Chair by Swedese in Walnut and Sheepskin 'Off White'. New, design from 1956. The Lamino by Yngve Ekström is one of the m...
Sheepskin, Walnut
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
$2,360 / 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 Swedese, Yngve Ekström
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
$3,139
H 39.77 in W 27.56 in D 30.71 in
Yngve Ekström Lamino Easy Chair by Swedese in Walnut and Cognac Leather
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Tilburg, NL
Yngve Ekström Lamino Easy Chair by Swedese in Walnut and Cognac Leather 'Elmo Baltique 43001'. New, design from 1956. The Lamino by Yngve Ekström ...
Walnut, Leather
Three-Seat Sofa Bed by Yngve Ekstrom for Pastoe, 1960s
By Pastoe, Yngve Ekström
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 Pastoe, Yngve Ekström
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