The Danish-born Jens Risom brought the Scandinavian modern design sensibility to a wide audience in the United States. As the first designer for Knoll Inc., Risom introduced American buyers to the region’s enduring design values of simplicity, grace and craftsmanship.
Risom trained in furniture making at the Copenhagen School of Industrial Arts and Design under Ole Wanscher, alongside classmates Hans Wegner and Børge Mogensen. In 1939, a year after graduating from business school, Risom decided to move to the U.S.
While working for an interior designer in New York in 1941, he met Hans Knoll, and the businessman and the designer hit it off. They brought out their first line the next year, despite wartime materials restrictions. The signature piece — now a design icon — was a lounge chair with a striking, undulant birch frame and a seat made of webbed sub-military grade parachute straps. Risom was drafted into the army, and served as a translator under General George Patton. When he returned from the war, Risom clashed over furniture design ideals with his business partner’s new bride, Florence Knoll, the pioneering mid-century modernist who was schooled in the Bauhaus method, which favored furniture with strict, geometric metal frames. Risom then started his own company, Jens Risom Design.
In the course of his long career, Risom developed a stylistic vocabulary that was a reflection of the life of the man himself: his furniture has Danish warmth coupled with an American air of crisp efficiency. Vintage Risom chairs are almost instantly recognizable — the arms and seat backs are set at a distinctive angle that seems to invite people to sit back and relax, yet they know they can hop up in an instant, ready to go.
As you will see on these pages, Jens Risom is one of the great men of American modern design who made furniture that is unique and timeless.
Find a collection of vintage Jens Risom furniture on 1stDibs that includes lounge chairs, desks, coffee tables and more.
Edward Wormley Model 2410 Sofa for Dunbar, Velvet, Mid-Century Modern
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Diego, CA
Bring refined elegance and enduring craftsmanship into your interior with the Edward Wormley Model 2410 Sofa for Dunbar—a quintessential example of mid-century modern American furnit...
Upholstery, Velvet
Barrel Sofa by Vladimir Kagan circa 1950's
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in San Diego, CA
A sculptural masterpiece from one of the most celebrated modernist designers, the Barrel Sofa by Vladimir Kagan is an exceptional example of his early work from the 1950s. Capturing the postwar optimism of the era, its fluid curves and architectural presence embody the forward-looking spirit that defined mid-century design. This example is newly upholstered in Sand Bouclé — French for “open loop” — a tactile, nubby fabric that invites touch and adds visual depth. Designed with Kagan’s signature embrace of organic form, the sofa’s sweeping back and rounded arms create an intimate seating arrangement that’s as comfortable as it is striking. The warm sand tone complements a range of interiors, from minimalist to richly layered spaces. Restored to excellent condition, this early Kagan Barrel Sofa...
Bouclé, Walnut
Paul McCobb 312 Armchair for Directional
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
Perfect slipper chair by Paul McCobb 312 Armchair for Directional in Maharam Mode: Saltwater. We have reupholstered in fresh, new fabric and foam. Great chair with clean understated...
Upholstery
Paul McCobb 312 Armchair for Directional
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
Perfect slipper chair by Paul McCobb 312 Armchair for Directional in Maharam Mode: Saltwater. Reupholster in new fabric and foam. Great chair with clean understated lines. These c...
Upholstery
Janas Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Located in San Diego, CA
Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The tufted double seat cushion is newly upholstered in a Sand Sherpa Boucle by Kravet, a beautiful compliment to the rich walnut f...
Bouclé, Walnut
Vintage FK-87 Grasshopper Chaise Lounge by Preben Fabricius + Jørgen Kastholm
By Alfred Kill International, Jørgen Kastholm & Preben Fabricius
Located in San Diego, CA
Designed in 1968 by Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm for the German furniture manufacturer Alfred Kill, the Grasshopper Lounge Chair is an icon of mid-twentieth century Danish de...
Steel, Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Forma, White Bouclé, Caviúna Legs, 1960s
By Forma
Located in New York, NY
Manufactured by Forma in the 1960s, this sofa reflects the studio’s commitment to refined modern forms and high-quality materials during a formative period of Brazilian mid-century d...
Fabric, Hardwood
Vintage Swedish Samsas Sofa by Carl Malmsten
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, GB
A stunning and extremely comfortable vintage Swedish Samsas sofa by Carl Malmsten. This was recently imported from Sweden, it dates from the 1960’s. This is of extremely high qualit...
Bouclé, Beech
Scandinavian Modern Cream Upholstered Sofa With Teak Accents
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This refined Scandinavian Modern sofa marries comfort and style for the best of both worlds. It features a scoop teak trim that runs along the arms that frames this fully upholstered...
Bouclé, Teak, Fabric
Swedish Modern Sofa with Stained Oak Frame and in White Upholstery, Sweden 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
The mid-20th century marked a transformative period in interior design and architecture, with the rise of movements such as Scandinavian modernism forever influencing design history....
Oak, Fabric
Sofa in White Boucle, Forma Brazil, 1960s - Lot 51
By Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
This sofa, made by Forma in the 1960s, retains its original structure and has been reupholstered in a White boucle. The legs, crafted from Caviuna wood, add a touch of elegance and d...
Bouclé, Hardwood
1960s Danish Banana two seater sofa with scalloped back in cream boucle.
Located in Henley-On-Thames, GB
The Banana sofa is more than seating , it is a conversation starter. Its unique curved backrest was specifically designed to foster intimacy and conversation , making it an ideal cen...
Wool, Beech
