Danish Oak and Leather Dining Chairs Mod. 178 by Johannes Andersen for Bramin

Denmark has a long tradition of producing some of the most acclaimed furniture designers of the 20th century. Johannes Andersen is no exception — his name is synonymous with mid-century modern design. He elevated Scandinavian modernism’s prioritization of practicality and space conservation to new heights and worked with luxurious woods like teak, mahogany and rosewood for a range of designs that merged grace and function.

After completing his cabinetmaker apprenticeship in his early 20s, Andersen began to design for several furniture makers, including CFC Silkeborg and Trensum. A few years later, he opened his own workshop and enjoyed success from the outset. Free of the constraints of working under another studio, Andersen quickly developed his own, distinctive style that drew on Danish functionalism and human-centered design.

After the end of World War II, Andersen noticed the worldwide postwar consumption boom and the burgeoning interest in Scandinavian modern design. He took full advantage of this and began to sell his shapely and eye-pleasing tables, chairs and sideboards to markets outside of Denmark. Other Scandinavian manufacturers took notice of Andersen’s work, which led to many successful, career-long collaborations for the furniture maker.

Like Finn Juhl and Alvar Aalto, Andersen was deeply drawn to organic shapes and flowing lines. He transformed furniture’s traditionally square or rectangular panels and surfaces — like the tops of coffee tables and seat-backs of dining room chairs — into imaginative half-moons with rounded corners, beveled edges and fluid contours. His unexpected use of curves is the highlight of his sleek Capri line for Trensum and can be found in his comfortable saddle-shaped Allegra bar stool and playful but elegant Smile coffee table, which sports an anthropomorphic grin in the slot intended to hold magazines.

Andersen wanted his furniture to be compact — he experimented with reducing the footprints of bulky furniture, and his simple, iconic credenzas, sideboards and folding bar cabinets were born. These and other vintage Johannes Andersen furnishings are in high demand today by collectors and mid-century modern enthusiasts all over the world.

On 1stDibs, find a wide range of Johannes Andersen tables, seating, cabinets and other furniture.

Bramin Møbler manufactured covetable Scandinavian modern furniture from the mid-1950s until the early 1980s. 

Originally founded as N.A. Jørgensen Møbelfabrik in Bramming, Denmark, the company rebranded as Bramin Møbler in the late 1950s. During the 1960s, Bramin Møbler’s offerings retained the simplicity and warmth commonly associated with Scandinavian cabinetmaking traditions and the N.A. Jørgensen Møbelfabrik name but its collaborations with forward-thinking designers helped steer it toward adopting the Danish modern style that had captivated new homeowners in the United States during the postwar years. 

Bramin Møbler prioritized quality, form and function — attributes that were promoted by the firm in its print ad campaigns. Its credenzas, dining tables and sideboards were made from strong, rich woods like oak, rosewood and teak (a highly prized material in the mid-century modern era), while its artisans upholstered the company’s durable seating with inviting materials such as wool and leather.

Bramin Møbler collaborated with many legends of Scandinavian and Nordic design, including Johannes Andersen, Hans Olsen, Kurt Østervig and Frank Reenskaug. Its most successful partnership was with Norwegian furniture designer H. W. Klein, who studied under Finn Juhl — a stylistic maverick and master of mid-century Danish design — and moved to Bramming to work for Bramin Møbler. 

Over the course of two decades, Klein created elegant coffee tables and cabinets for Bramin Møbler that featured clean lines and gracefully tapered legs, but he is best known for his lounge chairs — most notably, his leather-padded swivel lounger, with its five-spoked, wheeled base. 

The global recession of the 1980s hit Bramming hard. Many of the region’s numerous furniture manufacturers had to close their doors — Bramin Møbler included. Bramin Møbler creations remain highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of Scandinavian and mid-century modern furniture.

Find vintage Frank Reenskaug rocking chairs and other Bramin Møbler furniture such as tables, storage pieces and more for sale on 1stDibs.