Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of vintage Scandinavian modern furniture appear in the work of 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.
Characterized by bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries, Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with this style was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Bruno Mathsson, creator of the classic Grasshopper chair and Berlin daybed, but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the ’20s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced Scandinavian modern pieces 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. 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 he 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, maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Vernor Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern designs — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries. Even more than 50 years on from their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight.
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Pine
1960s Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Resin, Teak, Walnut
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Plywood
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Steel
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Metal, Brass
1950s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Pine
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Pine
1930s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Pine
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Steel
2010s Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Canvas, Oak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Iron
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Beech
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Leather, Pine
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Steel
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Teak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Teak
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Pine
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Pine
1970s Scandinavian Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Stainless Steel
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Suede, Pine
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Art Glass
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Fabric, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Teak
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Iron
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Wood
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Stoneware
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Ceramic
1960s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Ceramic
1960s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Ceramic
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Porcelain
1960s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Ceramic
1960s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Stoneware
1960s French Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Ceramic
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Teak
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Copper
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Teak
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Chrome
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Teak
Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Glass
1930s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Pine
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Walnut
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Aluminum
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Brass
20th Century Scandinavian Modern Home Accents
Fur, Teak