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, "Palle" Stools, Solid Birch, Stolab, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of "Palle" birch stools designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Stolab, Sweden, 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 16.38" All items ship from...
Birch
Swedish Stools in lacquered Red Birch, Yngve Ekström "Palle", 1970s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Birch stools in lacquered stylish red, produced in Sweden, 1970s designed by Yngve Ekström. These stools are a good example of the good craftsmanship and minimalistic style that si...
Birch
Kurt-Eric Blücker, Stool, Birch, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A birch stool designed and produced Kurt-Eric Blücker, Munkedal, Sweden, 1970s. Seat height 16.75”.
Birch
$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 Yngve Ekström, Charlotte Perriand, 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
$3,510
H 37.01 in W 25.2 in D 34.26 in
Swedish Modern "Anders" Lounge Chair, Yngve Ekström, Birch & Saddle Girth, 1945
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Odense, DK
Rare "Anders" lounge chair by Yngve Ekström made in the late 1940s at his own workshop Swedese. The chair is made from solid birchwood with a beautiful warm patina and the original strong saddle girth. Designed in 1945 and produced in low numbers. Yngve Ekström was one of Sweden's most prominent furniture designers. He also worked as an architect and sculptor and designed logos, catalogs, and advertisements. Yngve Ekström began his career working in furniture factories, where he learned to work with wood. His furniture is characterized by straight, tight lines in bendable wood. Several of his designs are now considered design classics, such as the Lamino armchair, the Arka chair, and the Pinocchio chair...
Birch
Swedish Mid-Century Solid Pine Stool, 1950s
Located in Karis, Nyland
A compact Swedish mid-century stool in solid pine, produced during the 1950’s. The seat is slightly concave for comfort, with softened edges and visible circular plug joinery. Four b...
Pine
Swedish Modern Rectangular Stool in Solid Pine, Sweden, 1950s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Carl Malmsten
Located in The Hague, NL
This striking stool was produced in Sweden in the early 1950s. The design is marked by the rectangular and slightly curved shaped of the seat and the sturdy, tapered legs placed at a...
Pine
$5,580
H 24.02 in W 76.78 in D 38.59 in
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
Primitive Tripod Stool in Solid Pine, Swedish Modern, Ca 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
A highly decorative primitive tripod stool in solid pine. Made by a Swedish cabinetmaker in 1960s. This modern stool will fit in many types of home decors. Perfectly suited for a C...
Pine
Stools in Massive Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Goteborg, SE
Pair of high quality stools in solid pine, Sweden, 1970s.
Pine
$5,850 / set
H 25.99 in W 27.96 in D 22.05 in
Swedish Mid Century Wooden "Arka" Armchairs in Oak by Yngve Ekström, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare pair of Swedish mid century wooden armchairs model "Arka" in stained oak by Yngve Ekström produced in Sweden, 1950s. Both chairs are in good original condition with nice matchin...
Oak
Mid-Century Pine Sofa, Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1970
By Yngve Ekström, Sven Larsson, Charlotte Perriand
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
$1,050
H 32.68 in W 64.97 in D 27.56 in
Midcentury Swedish Sofas, Benchs "Primo" Yngve Ekström Skandiform, 1970s
By Yngve Ekström, Skandiform, Bruno Mathsson
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
$1,575
H 27 in W 24 in D 28.5 in
Round Chair By Yngve Ekstrom Arka Vintage Maple Armchair, Made In Sweden
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a very rare Arka chair designed by Yngve Ekstrom and executed by Stolab of sweden. These chairs are fabulously unique in terms of their proportions and are refined...
Wood
Sold
H 16.5 in W 23 in D 17 in
Expertly Restored - Yngve Ekstrom "Lamino" Sculpted Oak Ottoman for Swedese
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Yngve Ekstrom "Lamino" Sculpted Oak Ottoman for Swedese ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back ...
Leather, Oak, Bentwood
Sold
H 18.9 in W 23.63 in D 17.72 in
Yngve Ekström Lamino Stool in Sheepskin and Oak for Swedese, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Odense, DK
Lamino stool in Sheepskin and Oak, designed by Yngve Ekström for Swedese in 1960s. Signed underneath. A great object, perfect for the modern interior. ...
Sheepskin, Oak
Sold
H 18.9 in W 23.63 in D 18.51 in
Scandinavian Oak and white Sheepskin Lamino Stool by Yngve Ekstrom for Swedese
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Vienna, AT
This iconic Scandinavian Modern stool is matching to the famous lamino lounge chair which was designed by Yngve Ekström in 1956 and produced by Swdese Sweden. The socalled lamino cha...
Sheepskin, Oak
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 40.56 in W 27.56 in D 29.53 in
Lamino Chair and Stool by Yngve Ekström with Leather Made by Swedese, Sweden
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Lamino lounge chair and stool with frame of steam bend plywood of beech and smooth cognac colored leather seats. The set is designed by Yngve Ekström (1913-1988) in 1956 and manufac...
Leather, Beech
Sold
H 16.93 in W 17.72 in D 12.21 in
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Lounge Stool Model "Palle" by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström, Stolab
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian lounge stool model "Palle" by Yngve Ekstro¨m in solid beech.
Beech
Sold
H 17.33 in W 17.92 in D 12.21 in
Mid-Century Modern "Palle" Stools in Birch by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, Set of 2
By Stolab, Yngve Ekström
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Pair of “Palle” stools designed by Yngve Ekström, produced by Stolab in Sweden during the 1950s. Made from solid birch.
Birch
Sold
H 16.93 in W 17.72 in D 12.21 in
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Lounge Stool Model "Palle" by Yngve Ekström.
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern scandinavian lounge stool model "Palle" by Yngve Ekström in solid beech.
Beech
Danish Modern Solid Teak Rare Stool by Yngve Ekstrom
By Yngve Ekström
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare solid teak stool, circa 1950s. Made in Sweden freshly refinished, solid and sturdy incredible craftsmanship designed by Yngve Ekstrom.
Teak