Olof Ottelin "Duetto" Sofa for Kervo Snickerifabrik Stockmann, Finland, 1950s

This model “Samspel” sofa was first introduced at the exhibition at Röhsska Museet (the Swedish Museum of Design and Crafts) in Gothenburg in 1956. The model’s name means ‘interactio...

Sweden contributed to the progression of form and function in its own way based on long-standing traditions, natural resources, and the critical, yet often coincidental, availability...

The “Laila” models from the series by the Finnish designer Ilmari Lappalainen originates from 1948, with the earliest original drawings kept in the Lahti City Museum in their Lappalainen Collection. Designed in the halcyon phase of what we know today as Mid-Century Modern, this charming sofa is a unique evidence of how traditional Finnish craftsmanship was brought into modernism. This sofa is from the Finnish designer’s most famous series called “Laila”. The design became sought after by collectors even in its production time, which is quite rare in the case of Nordic Mid-Century Modern furniture. Lappalainen was a renowned designer, famous for his designs’ comfort. Some of his designs even received medical approval because they had such a good seating that it prevented back problems. As an essentially Finnish modern piece, this sofa is built around the core characteristics of the era: gently rounded edges, tapered wooden legs, and a generous, fully upholstered body. The style was modelled on the Swedish and Danish furniture of the time, including the round edges and generous seat cushion and back with three large tufted buttons. In the absence of ornamentation, the three large tufted buttons on the back stand out, creating depth as they sink into the textured green fabric. The design has the “Classic Nordic look”, which explains the contemporary popularity of this sofa both among the public and museums. The modern aesthetic is further elevated by the textured, premium upholstery that complements the shape and the wooden, tapered legs as well. Wood is omnipresent in the Nordics, and Finnish woodworking is world-famous for its traditions. This sofa was created for Asko, the Finnish furniture manufacturing company founded in 1918 by Aukusti Asko Avonius, known for the production of high-quality furniture. By 1930 the company had developed into the largest furniture chain in Finland and the largest supplier of furniture in the Scandinavian countries. Favourites of this time included Ilmari Lappalainen’s Laila...

Though their country has a long tradition of craftsmanship, for numerous reasons mid-century Norwegian designers never gained the same international renown as their peers in neighbou...

Beautiful “Ingeborg” sofa by Flemming Lassen, with curvesome forms. Designed in 1940 and named after his mother, the artist Ingeborg Winding. Upholstered with caramel colored sheepsk...

Fine sofa by Swedish designer, Gösta Jonsson, upholstered in sheepskin. ca 1940 produced in Jönköping, Sweden. Gösta Jonsson (1902-1958) was a Swedish furniture designer and archite...

Beautiful “Ingeborg” sofa by Flemming Lassen, with curvesome forms. Designed in 1940 and named after his mother, the artist Ingeborg Winding. Upholstered with caramel colored sheepsk...

"Divina" two seater sofa attributed to Arne Norell. Produced in Sweden by Westbergs Möbler during the 1950s. Stained beech legs and new upholstery in light beige "Hallingdal" wool fa...