Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN STYLE
Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged in the 1930s
- Scandinavian design and Nordic design originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus; influenced American mid-century modernism
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries
- Use of natural materials — native woods such as pine, ash and beech
- Open, airy spaces
- Promotion of functionality
- Emphasis on craftsmanship; rooted in cabinetry profession and traditional construction techniques
- Minimal ornamentation (little to no embellishment)
- A neutral or light color palette owing to prominence of light woods
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Alvar Aalto
- Hans Wegner
- Kaare Klint
- Arne Jacobsen
- Greta Magnusson Grossman
- Finn Juhl
- Arne Vodder
- Verner Panton
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
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Style: Scandinavian Modern
Scandinavian Metal Planter
Located in Brescia, IT
Elegant 1960s vintage copper planter with black metal base.
The rectangular copper frame is supported by slender, linear black metal legs, giving lightness and stability. Perfect f...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal, Copper
Two Pairs of Finnish Brass Door Handles
Located in London, GB
Two pairs of Finnish brass lever door handles with rosettes. Second half 20th century, attributed to Primo Oy whose designers included the architect Heikki Siren and Timo Sarpeneva.
...
Category
20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Danish Mid Century Enameled Fireplace Designed by Hoff & Windage for Tasso
By Tasso
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional enameled fireplace made in Denmark, designed by architects Hoff & Windage for Tasso, circa 1950's. The fireplace comes with its' original curved fender, screen, grate, fl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
A Red Garden Sofa - Wrought Iron & Wood - Sweden Early 20th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stunning garden sofa probably design in Sweden in the early 20th century. The sofa is made of wrought iron and wood. It is a really unique design and I have never seen anything lik...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Vintage Scandinavian Watering Can in Spiraling Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Vintage brass watering can with a beautiful form! It features a spiraling spout perfect for directional watering of houseplants as orchids o...
Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Mocha, Gold & Pink Saddle Swing Handmade Crochet Outdoor Hammock Seat
By iota
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
The iota Saddle Swings are lightweight and compact. They are perfect for enjoying the outdoors and kids love them too. You can easily take the hammock lik...
Category
2010s Israeli Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Acrylic, Polyester, Teak
Outdoor UV protected Blue Sand Handmade Crochet Hammock Seat Swing with Back
By iota
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
The IOTA Saddle Swings are lightweight and compact. They are good for enjoying the outdoors and kids love them too. You can easily take the hammock like swing with you to hang during...
Category
2010s Israeli Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Polyester, Teak, Acrylic
Swedish Support Logs for traditional Scandinavian Log Houses, ca 1860
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Support Logs for traditional Scandinavian Log Houses, ca 1860
Perfect as console tables or side tables.
This mushroom like support logs was made to elevate the log house fr...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Pine
Danish Mid-Century Teak & Vinyl Planter
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Teak & vinyl mid-century, circa 1960's. Bring the outdoors in with this unique planter. Black vinyl case with removable tapering teak legs and original styrofoam liner.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Faux Leather, Teak
Swedish Laggkärl/Planter 1835
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Laggkärl - dated 1835
Original made for storage of grain and wheat.
A perfect planter for a bigger tree or plant.
Made in pine.
Heigth: 65 cm/25.6 inch
Diameter: 46 cm/18....
Category
1830s Swedish Antique Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Pine
Swedish Designer, Plant Holder, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine plant holder designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s.
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Pine
Planter in Rosewood Model 26 by Arne Wahl Iversen From 1959
Located in Lejre, DK
The planter with 3 drawers, designed by Arne Wahl Iversen in rosewood and model no. 36, manufactured by Vinde Møbelfabrik in 1959, is a unique example of Danish furniture design that...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Rosewood
Swedish vintage wooden pedestal
Located in Brescia, IT
Elegant wooden pedestal with sleek and refined lines, ideal for plants or decorative objects.
Light and essential forms characterize this mid-twentieth-century Swedish pedestal. The...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Vintage bamboo vase stand
Located in Brescia, IT
Refined vintage bamboo splashback with green glass top, perfect for plants or small decorative items.
Bamboo planter stand with a light and essential design, it is a versatile and d...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bamboo
Vintage bamboo pedestal with glass top
Located in Brescia, IT
Swedish bamboo pedestal with round frosted glass top, lightweight and versatile for plants or decorative objects.
The woven bamboo frame creates a light and elegant visual effect, w...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bamboo, Glass
21st Century Mocha Color Saddle Swing Handmade Crochet Outdoor Hammock Seat
By iota
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
The IOTA Saddle Swings are lightweight and compact. They are good for enjoying the outdoors and kids love them too. You can easily take the hammock like swing with you to hang during camping trips...
Category
2010s Israeli Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Acrylic, Polyester, Teak
Scandinavian vintage teak planter
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian teak planter with essential structure and metal inner basin. Linear legs with brass details.
Vintage Scandinavian planter made of teak, with a rectangular compartment d...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Teak
Swedish Mid Century Copper Flower Table Planter by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare mid century flower table planter in copper with a black lacquered metal stand by Hans-Agne Jakobsson produced in Sweden, 1950s. In g...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal, Copper
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood & Metal Planter
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Rosewood & metal mid-century planter, circa 1960's. Solid rosewood frame with beautiful grain patterns and lovely patina. Original metal flat black liner. Get your indoor garden grow...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
Danish Mid-Century Teak & Vinyl Planter
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Danish mid-century teak & vinyl planter, circa 1960's. Bring the outdoors in with this unique planter. Black vinyl case with removable tapering teak legs and original styrofoam liner.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Faux Leather, Teak
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood & Metal Planter
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Rosewood & metal mid-century planter, circa 1960's. Solid rosewood frame with beautiful grain patterns and lovely patina. Original metal flat black liner. Get your indoor garden grow...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
Trinidad Teak Dining Chairs by Nanna Ditzel 1990s Set of 4
Located in Asaa, DK
Trinidad teak dining chairs by Nanna Ditzel for Fredericia Stolefabrik Denmark 1990s
When designing the Trinidad Chair Model 3298 in 199...
Category
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Teak
Vintage Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern White Metal & Wood Flower Stand, 1950s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This modernist plant table was produced in Sweden during the 1950s. It is made of metal and finished in white. The frame of the pull-out basket is made o...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
Scandinavian Modern Door Handles in Teak by Teka Alingsås ca 1950's
Located in Örebro, SE
Cool door handles in teak by Teka Alingsås, ca 1950's.
Signed with makers mark.
Wear and patina consistent with age and use, scratches, blemishes and a crack as seen on the last pict...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
Swedish vintage pedestal in white painted wood
Located in Brescia, IT
Elegant Swedish white-painted wooden pedestal with sleek and refined lines, ideal for plants or decorative objects.
Light and essential forms characterize this mid-twentieth-century...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Swedish vintage painted wood pedestal
Located in Brescia, IT
Elegant painted wooden pedestal with sleek and refined lines, ideal for plants or decorative objects.
Light and essential forms characterize this mid-twentieth-century Swedish pedes...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Scandinavian Modern Planter by Askel Kjersgaard
Located in San Francisco, CA
Scandinavian Modern cubic planter with chamfered legs, teak veneer and removable plastic liner. Designed by Aksel Kjersgaard and made in Denmark by Feldballes Mobelfabrik, circa 1960...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Teak
Vintage Scandinavian Planter with Pressed Copper Sides
Located in Pasadena, TX
This vintage Scandinavian Planter has Pressed Copper sides and would be a beautiful accent piece for any home or office. It's slender teak legs and pressed copper sides are a perfect...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Copper
Plant Stand / Table Attributed to Carl-Axel Acking Produced in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare plant stand / table attributed to Carl-Axel Acking. Produced in Sweden.
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal, Brass
Classic Danish Modern Minimalist Rosewood Planter with Metal Insert
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Danish modern rosewood planter with label. Classic Minimalist rosewood frame with black metal insert.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
Danish Modern Teak Illum Wikkelso Teak Planter
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Danish modern teak planter designed by Illum Wikkelso. Original black plastic liner. Two available. Price is per piece.
Professional, skill...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Teak
Gunnar Ander Ystad-Metall Fireplace Tools, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare set of fireplace tools from Ystad metall designed by Gunnar Ander.
Black iron with handles in brass.
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
Danish Teak Catch-All/ Planter with Enamel Bowl
Located in Highland, IN
This fantastic little piece is an example of great Danish design. A simple planter or catch-all that is comprised of an enamel bowl supported by a teak stand is designed with delight...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Metal
Danish Modern Planting Box
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Perfect for your spring flowers! Rosewood frame with resin insert.
Professional, skilled furniture restoration is an integral part of what we do every day. Our goal
is to provide ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Resin, Mahogany
Jardiniere by Bjorn Wiinblad, 1960s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A large-scaled and unique studio-made signed ceramic jardinière depicting a pair of beautifully painted figures in a lush, vividly polychromed garden.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Planter No. 2 Designed by Anna Petrus for Näfveqvarn, Sweden, 1925
By Anna Petrus
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cast iron.
The motive originally designed for the Swedish Pavilion at the Paris World Exhibition, 1925.
Measures: H 20 cm/ 8''
L 130 cm/ 51''
W 29 cm/ 11 1/2''.
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Stig Blomberg Reliefs in Bronze by ASEA in Sweden
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare set of 4 reliefs designed by Stig Blomberg. Produced by ASEA in Sweden.
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
Gunnar Nylund Ceramic Planters
Located in New York, NY
Gunnar Nylund (1904-1977) Ceramic Planters circa. 1930. Made with lattice design work and stamped with a production seal at the bottom.
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Steel and Enamel Planter
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A large-sized bowl or planter in steel and red porcelain enamel with its original rare Minimalist stand fashioned from three blackened rods of iron.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Scandinavian Flower Boxes – Iron Set with Decorative Motifs
Located in Stockholm, SE
Flower boxes anonymous,
Sweden, 1950s.
Forged iron.
Measures: Length of the largest 186 cm/ 6' 1''
Height 16 cm/ 6 1/4''
Depth 21 cm/ 8 1/4''
Le...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Set of Six Plant Trays Attributed to Paavo Tynell, Finland, 1950s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Copper and brass.
Measures:
L: 227 cm/ 7' 5 3/4"
W: 21 cm/ 8 1/4"
Provenance: The member's club at the Myllykoski paper mill, Finland. Paavo Tynell's office was responsible for th...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Copper
Scandinavian Modern building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Scandinavian Modern building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage building and garden elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with hardwood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Scandinavian Modern building and garden elements made in a specific country, there are Denmark, Europe, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for building and garden elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $800 and tops out at $800 while the average work can sell for $800.