Light Blue and Oak Daybed Designed by Poul Volther for Illums Bolighus
View Similar Items
Light Blue and Oak Daybed Designed by Poul Volther for Illums Bolighus
About the Item
- Creator:Kai Kristiansen (Designer),Illums Bolighus (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)Width: 79 in (200.66 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960-1969
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Houston, TX
- Reference Number:Seller: DB-0011stDibs: LU110025562853
Kai Kristiansen
With a passion for math and engineering, Kai Kristiansen has created high-quality wood furniture for decades. Beginning in the 1950s, his chairs, modular shelving and other furnishings were made in the style that would become internationally renowned as Danish modern and boasted clean lines, perfected functionality and exacting craftsmanship.
Born in Denmark, Kristiansen trained in cabinetmaking before studying with Kaare Klint, often cited as the “father of modern Danish design,” at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. At just 26 years old, Kristiansen opened his own studio.
Kristiansen had his mid-century breakthrough in 1956 with the Chair #42, which he made with Schou Andersen. Unlike most other chairs at the time, Chair #42’s armrests, with their wealth of radical angles, were connected to the back rather than the front legs. This unconventional flourish makes the backrest appear as though it is floating in midair above the seat.
Kristiansen’s next innovation was a modular wall system in 1957 — three years ahead of Dieter Rams’s more famous 606 Universal Shelving System. Called the Reolsystem Wall Unit, produced by SB Feldballes Møbelfabrik, it’s also known as the FM Wall Unit as FM/Fornem Møbelkunst began producing it in the 1960s.
Kristiansen would go on to work with other leading Danish furniture manufacturers such as Magnus Olesen, Fritz Hansen and Vildbjerg Møbelfabrik, designing everything from chairs and desks to sideboards and cabinets, frequently in rosewood and teak. (The latter was a sought-after wood by Scandinavian modern designers.)
While many of Kristiansen’s timeless designs remain in production, such as his Paper Knife sofa, which was reintroduced by Miyazaki Chair Factory in 2008, and his 1950s Entré collection, which was relaunched with Great Dane Furniture in 2016, others are prized as vintage mid-century pieces.
Today, Kristiansen is still at work on new furniture with an expert eye to thoughtfully functional designs that are made to last.
Find a collection of vintage Kai Kristiansen furniture on 1stDibs.
- Poul M. Volther Daybed in Oak, Leather and Bouclé for FDB Møbler, Denmark 1960sBy Poul Volther, FDB MøblerLocated in Amsterdam, NLElegant Daybed designed by Poul M. Volther for FDB Møbler, Denmark 1960s. Solid Oak frame with warm woodgrain and wooden slatted base. The Daybed is in very good condition with minor...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsLeather, Bouclé, Oak
- Poul Volther Daybed Model Diva 981 for Gemla, SwedenBy Poul Volther, GemlaLocated in Dronten, NLVery nice sophisticated daybed sofa Model 981 designed by Poul Volther, manufactured by Gemla, Denmark, circa 1960. This sofa is nicknamed 'Diva' and features a sophisticated solid o...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Oak
- Large Daybed H9 by Poul Volther for FDB / New UpholsteredBy Poul Volther, FDB MøblerLocated in Handewitt, DEPoul M. Volther daybed, model H9 in oak. Large model 100x190 cm. Produced by FDB Møbler Denmark 1960s. New mattress and upholstered with blue wool fabric from Kvadrat.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Poul Volther Sofa or Daybed Model Diva / 981 by Gemla in SwedenBy Poul VoltherLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länSofa or daybed model Diva / 981 designed by Poul Volther. Produced by Gemla in Sweden.Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Poul Volther Sofa / Daybed Model Diva / 981 Produced by Gemla in SwedenBy Poul VoltherLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länSofa / daybed model Diva / 981 designed by Poul Volther. Produced by Gemla in Sweden. Dimensions (W x D x H): 200 x 80 ( 110 ) x 79 cm, SH: 40 cm.Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Grete Jalk Daybed for Poul JeppesenBy Grete JalkLocated in London, EnglandGrete Jalk (1920-2006) was a Danish architect and furniture designer known for her contributions to the mid-20th-century design movement. She studied architecture at the Royal Danish...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet, Teak