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.
Scandinavian Coffee Table in Pine by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Karlstad, SE
Coffee table in pine by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, circa 1970. This table is a great example of the robust pine furniture era that grew popular in Sweden in the late 1960s. The table...
Pine
Pine Dining Table by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Dronten, NL
A distinctive Scandinavian Modern dining table designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Swedese in the 1960s. Crafted in solid pine, the table exemplifies Ekström’s commitment to fu...
Pine
$2,392
H 17.33 in W 55.12 in D 33.47 in
Dymling Pine Coffee Table by Yngve Ekström for Swedese Swedish Brutalist 1970s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
A striking vintage Dymling coffee table by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, made in Sweden in the 1970s. Built in solid pine, this piece has the bold, grounded character that makes the Dym...
Wood, Pine
Scandinavian Modern Teak Coffee Table by Yngve Ekström for DUX, 1950s
By Dux of Sweden, Yngve Ekström
Located in Westport, CT
An exquisitely rare coffee table, executed in teak designed by Yngve Ekström for Dux, featuring brass accents. Completely restored. Other desi...
Brass
$10,647
H 13.78 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Italian Mid-Century ALVEO Coffee Cocktail Table, Willy Rizzo, circa 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian Willy Rizzo ALVEO series mid-century coffee table from 1970s. This table is an exclusive piece created with burl walnut veneer decorated with brass details on the corners an...
Brass
$13,039
H 15.36 in Dm 42.13 in
Italian Mid-Century Yin Yang Coffee Cocktail Table, Willy Rizzo, circa 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Vilnius, LT
Italian Willy Rizzo Yin Yang series mid-century coffee table from 1970s. This table is created ir round form with two levels. The surface is in black varnish combined with upper lev...
Brass
$1,407
H 14.17 in W 28.35 in D 23.23 in
Vintage Brutalist Swedish Pine Couch Table by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, 1970s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist coffee table from Swedish manufacturer Swedese designed by Yngve Ekström.A rustic design and striking solitaire in a minimalist … Read more Brutalist coffee table from Swed...
Pine
$2,895
H 15.75 in W 71 in D 19.75 in
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Yngve Ekstrom for Westbergs Mobler
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Yngve Ekstrom for Westbergs Mobler
Wood, Oak, Teak
Yngve Ekström Coffee / Side Table by Westbergs in Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table / side table / bench designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced by Westbergs in Tranås, Sweden.
Oak, Teak
$2,631
H 18.51 in W 55.12 in D 33.08 in
Scandinavian Modern Coffee Table by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, 1970s
By Swedese, Yngve Ekström
Located in Genarp, SE
A brutalist Swedish modern coffee table in solid pine designed by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, circa 1970. This table is made in solid pine and is mounted and dismantled by screwing...
Pine
Yngve Ekström, Coffee Table, Teak, Oak, Sweden, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and oak coffee table or side tables designed by Yngve Ekström and produced by Westbergs Möbler, Sweden, c. 1960s. Imperfections to tabletop surface from moderate to heavy use...
Oak, Teak
Standard Table by Jonathan Nesci in Coated Aluminum and Cast Concrete
By Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
The standard table is made in spun, machined and powder-coated aluminum with an inset cast concrete top. Produced for The New, the inaugural show of Volume Gallery...
Aluminum
Yngve Ekström Coffee Table by Westbergs Möbler in Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced by Westbergs Möbler in Tranås, Sweden.
Teak
Yngve Ekström “Palett” Side Table, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Karlstad, SE
Elegant side table model Palett designed by Yngve Ekström. The organically shaped tabletop is crafted from beautifully figured masur birch, accented with subtle brass inlays at the l...
Wood
Yngve Ekström Sofa Table
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Brescia, IT
Yngve Ekström sofa table designed by Yngve Ekstom for Swedese in the 1970s. The table is made of pine wood, recognizable by its light color and distincti...
Pine
Yngve Ekström ‘Bangkok’ Large Sofa Coffee Table
By Yngve Ekström
Located in London, GB
Large and very unusual Scandinavian sofa table by Yngve Ekström, model ‘Bangkok’. A substantial piece with a wonderful shape constructed in a rich teak and lightly limed oak. Designe...
Oak, Teak
Scandinavian Coffee Table in Pine by Yngve Ekström
By Yngve Ekström, Swedese
Located in Karlstad, SE
Rare coffee table in pine by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, circa 1970. This table is a great example of the robust pine furniture era that grew popular in Sweden in the late 1960s. Th...
Pine
"Krok" Side Table by Yngve Ekström, Sweden, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Hägersten, SE
Side table model "Krok" designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced by his own company ESE Möbler during the 1950s. Made from bent wood in the legs with black lacquer and solid wooden table ...
Brass
Yngve Ekström, Rare Coffee Table, 1950s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in London, GB
A very rare 1950s coffee table designed by Yngve Ekström for Westbergs, Sweden. Excellent condition. Constructed in Oak and Teak. U.S shipping.
Oak, Teak
Sold
H 19.69 in W 50.79 in D 31.11 in
Yngve Ekström Coffee Table in Teak by Westbergs Möbler in Sweden
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare coffee table designed by Yngve Ekström. Produced by Westbergs möbler in Tranås, Sweden. Sold at Ferd. Lundquist in Sweden
Teak