Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged in the 1930s
- Scandinavian design and Nordic design originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus; influenced American mid-century modernism
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries
- Use of natural materials — native woods such as pine, ash and beech
- Open, airy spaces
- Promotion of functionality
- Emphasis on craftsmanship; rooted in cabinetry profession and traditional construction techniques
- Minimal ornamentation (little to no embellishment)
- A neutral or light color palette owing to prominence of light woods
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Alvar Aalto
- Hans Wegner
- Kaare Klint
- Arne Jacobsen
- Greta Magnusson Grossman
- Finn Juhl
- Arne Vodder
- Verner Panton
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by 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.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style 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, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. 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 the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator 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, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
Early 2000s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paper
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Faience, Ceramic
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Faience, Ceramic
1940s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Faience, Ceramic, Earthenware
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Faience, Ceramic
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Faience, Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Faience, Ceramic
1940s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Wool, Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paper
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Canvas, Pine
1970s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Stoneware
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Pine, Canvas
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Wool
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Wool
2010s Indian Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Wool
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paper
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Canvas, Pine
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Canvas
1950s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Canvas
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Ceramic
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Swiss Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Plastic
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Rosewood, Wood
2010s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Walnut
2010s Lithuanian Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Aluminum
Late 20th Century American Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paper
1960s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paint
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Wool
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Wood
1990s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Acrylic
1890s Swedish Antique Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Cherry
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Acrylic
1950s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paper
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Canvas
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Teak
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Canvas
1970s Danish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Wood
1960s Finnish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Canvas
1960s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Stoneware
Early 2000s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paper
1990s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Fabric, Paper
1980s Swedish Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Textile, Silk
1990s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Fabric, Paper
1990s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paper
1980s Dutch Vintage Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 2000s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Fabric, Paper
1990s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Fabric, Paper
1990s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paper
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
1990s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paper
1990s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paper
1990s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Wall Decorations
Paper