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 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
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
$6,937Sale Price|25% Off
Patina Leather Beech Frame Yngve Ekström Three Seat Sofa, Sweden, Minimalist
By Swedese, Kai Lyngfeldt Larsen, Yngve Ekström, Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Round Top, TX
Akantus sofa by Swedese, designed by Yngve Ekström The light wood frame, simple, straightforward design, sleek, and unfussy detailing such as the addition of the iconic vertical ori...
Leather, Beech
Mid-Century Pine Sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970
By Charlotte Perriand, Yngve Ekström, Sven Larsson
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
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
$1,283Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 84.26 in D 29.14 in
1970s Danish 3-Seater Brown Leather Sofa with Beech Frame
Located in Praha, CZ
Classic 1970s Danish 3-seater sofa upholstered in supple brown leather, supported by a sturdy beech frame and legs. This inviting vintage piece features plush cushioning and a timele...
Leather, Beech
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
1970s Three Seater Beech Sofa, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - Fabric in good original condition
Upholstery, Wood, Beech
19th Century Swedish Sofa
Located in Chireno, TX
Gray painted Swedish sofa circa 1860. 19th century sofa beautifully hand-carved with exceptional decoration. Newly upholstered in off-white ticking with down-wrap cushion. Joined con...
Upholstery, Down, Wood
$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 Børge Mogensen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik, Mogens Hansen
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
Pair of Swedese "Lamello" Easy Chairs, Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Swedese "Lamello" easy chairs, Yngve Ekström.
18th Century French Sofa
Located in Nashville, TN
Carved frame sofa is upholstered in French gaufrage velvet.
Velvet, Wood
$3,371 / set
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
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
$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
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
$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 Børge Mogensen, Mogens Hansen, Stouby Polster Møbelfabrik
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
Swedish 1970s vintage sofa by Yngve Ekström
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Brescia, IT
Two-seater sofa by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, with pine frame and original orange and pink striped cushions. This 1970s Swedish sofa, designed by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, combines...
Pine
Midcentury Sofa in Canvas & Pine by Yngve Ekström, 1970s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Lejre, DK
Sofa in solid pine and new canvas reupholstery. Designed by Yngve Ekström, Sweden 1970s. Great condition.
Pine, Canvas
Sold
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
Yngve Ekström for Swedese Grey Fabric 2 Seat Sofa, 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 2-seat sofa is constructed from a pine wood frame with sleek lines and curved corners. The sofa is formed of two separate seats next to each other with individual seat and back cushions, upholstered in grey fabric with button tufting detailing. A fantastic example of mid-century Swedish design, this sofa would add a touch of vintage...
Pine
Yngve Ekstrom Oak Three Seat Sofa
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Minneapolis, MN
A hard to find three seat sofa designed by one of Sweden’s most well known designers, Yngve Ekstrom. Patinated oak frame and newly upholstered in Pollack Textiles ” West Coast” Troll...
Upholstery, Oak
Rustic Modern Pine Sofas, Sweden, 1970’s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in New York, NY
Pine Framed Sofas, 1970’s, Sweden. This pair of rare sofas exudes confidence and style. Their humble material belies their sophisticated design-- a masterful study of proportion ...
Pine
Yngve Ekstrom MX 01 Sofa Bed Pastoe the Netherlands 1960
By Pastoe, Yngve Ekström
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful classic sofa sleeper model MX 01 designed by Yngve Ekstrom for UMS Pastoe, The Netherlands 1960. The sofa can be turned from a sofa into a (day)bed easily by pulling on the...
Linen, Teak
Large Mid-Century Swedish Pine Sofa by Yngve Ekstrom
By Yngve Ekström
Located in London, GB
A three seater sofa in pine for Swedese Design by Yngve Ekstrom. Sweden, circa 1960s. Original upholstery retained in good condition but there are marks and scuffs commensura...
Pine
Scandinavian Midcentury Sofas by Yngve Ekström for Swedese
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Karlstad, SE
Pair of rare three-seat sofas model "Dymling" by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, circa 1970. This model is a great example of the robust pine fur...
Fabric, Pine
'Kontrapunkt' Sofa by Yngve Ekström for Swedese
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Kramfors, SE
'Kontrapunkt' sofa by Yngve Ekström for Swedese. Designed in the 1960s and manufactured by Swedese, the 'Kontrapunkt' sofa is a good example ...
Leather, Oak
Two-Seat Sofa Yngve Ekstrom for Swedese, 1960s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice high back two-seat sofa. Design Yngve Ekstrom for Swedes Sweden, 1960s. Solid oak with a nice grain to it. New cushions. Signed and in very good condition. ...
Oak
Yngve Ekstrom Three-Seat Sofa, Swedese, 1960s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Den Haag, NL
High-backed three-seat sofa. Designed by Yngve Ekstrom for Swedese in the 1960s. Solid oak frame with a nice grain. New cushions.
Oak