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.
Sculptural Compass Leg Danish Modern Night Stands or End Tables by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural Compass Leg Danish Modern night stands or end tables, designed by Yngve Ekström, Sweden circa 1960s. constructed of a beech wood frame with sculptural compass legs and contrasting teak tops. Each table has brass hardware and a shallow drawer...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern 1 One drawer End Table Stand
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice Mid-Century modern end table stand with classic brass cone shape McCobb pull.
Brass
$1,800 / set
H 29 in W 20 in D 17 in
Matching Pair of Mid Century Danish Modern Night Stands or End Tables in Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
1970s very unique pair of Danish modern nightstands in teak. These will add a funky twist to any Scandinavian bedroom design. They are both in very good condition showing some light ...
Wood
$7,963 / set
H 20.48 in W 22.84 in D 13.78 in
Pair of Handcrafted Walnut Night Stands, Bedside Tables by SUM Furniture
By SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
Our K series drawer nightstands are handcrafted from premium American black walnut. The upper cabinet is defined by beautifully exposed hand-cut dovetail joints, an enduring hallmark...
Oak, Walnut
$2,355 / set
H 27.56 in W 16.15 in D 12.21 in
Pair of French Night Stands Bedside Tables with Drawers and Carbriole Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
A French pair of bedside tables night stands with two drawers and sliding tray. The top parts are surrounded by a three-quarter wooden carved gallery and sitting above the sliding sh...
Brass
Restored Pair of Vintage End Tables or Nightstands by Baker
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning pair of vintage end tables or nightstands by Baker, circa 1960. Expert Walnut construction with beautiful detail. Pewter over sol...
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Walnut End Side Table or Nightstand
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice Mid-Century Modern walnut cabinet in style of Risom.
Walnut
$3,950 / set
H 21 in W 22 in D 27 in
Fabulous Pair of Heritage Henredon End Table/ Night Stands in Flame Mahogony
By Henredon
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Gorgeous Pair of parsons style end table/ night stands by Heritage Henredon, circa 1960. Wonderful flame mahogany top with a lovely ...
Wood
$4,500 / set
H 18 in W 24 in D 16 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Brass Nightstands or End Tables by Rougier
By Roger Rougier, Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A super handsome and sophisticated pair of night stands made by Rougier. They feature well made laminate cases, with beautiful rosewood drawers, and brass plinth bases. Very much in ...
Brass
$3,400
H 34 in W 17 in D 13 in
Tall Narrow Walnut Marble Top Night Stands End Table Cabinet Porcelain Insert
By Berkey & Gay Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Tall narrow walnut marble top night stands end table cabinet porcelain insert. Very fine walnut door panel decorative carving. Unusual ...
Marble
$3,450 / set
H 36.13 in W 36.07 in D 19.32 in
Pair of Large Mastercraft Burl Elm & Brass End Tables or Night Stands w/ Drawers
By Mastercraft, William Doezema
Located in St. Louis, MO
Beautiful pair of late 1960s Mastercraft Furniture Co. large 36" square two tier end tables or nightstands in exotic burl elm with brass trim accents and knobs. Both having a single ...
Brass
$5,400
H 25 in W 24 in D 16 in
Pair of Exposed Sculptural Legs Three Drawers Nightstands End Tables Stands
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern pair of sculpted legs night stands. Nice carved molding around the drawer faces along with the drawer pulls. Good size high quality craftsmanship cabinets looking ...
Walnut
$2,950 / set
H 22 in W 26 in D 18 in
Wonderful Pair Milo Baughman Style End Table/Night Stands in Maple
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Stylish and Functional pair of end tables/night stands in Maple, circa 1970's. The tables have a rich, warm luster and are ideal for introducing warmth into a modern environment. W...
Wood
Danish Modern walnut Side Cocktail Table By Yngve Ekström For Dux
By Yngve Ekström, Dux of Sweden
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful rare Dux of Sweden end cocktail table circa 1950 designed By Yngve Ekström, with polished brass round tokens on the top as shown, we have sanded and refinished the top some...
Brass
'Leaf' Occasional Table by Yngve Ekstrom
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Rosewood leaf shaped top. Three black lacquered legs. By Yngve Ekstrom. Made by Westerbergs Furniture. Sweden, 1954.
Rosewood, Wood