Scandinavian Upholstery Fabric
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Fabric, Jacquard, Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Oak, Fabric, Upholstery
2010s Brazilian Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Beech
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Birch
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Oak
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Beech
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Elm
Vintage 1940s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Beech
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Bouclé, Jacquard, Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Ash
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal, Steel
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Teak, Upholstery
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Beech, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal, Steel
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Stools
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Wool, Linen, Upholstery, Oak, Teak
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Velvet, Beech, Fabric
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
20th Century Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Metal, Aluminum
Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Cotton, Jacquard, Linen, Upholstery, Birch, Satinwood
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Bouclé, Chenille, Upholstery, Elm, Pine
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Wood, Beech
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Elm
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wool, Linen, Upholstery, Beech
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Nutwood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Teak
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Wool, Linen, Upholstery, Beech
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wool, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Birch
- 1
Scandinavian Upholstery Fabric For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Scandinavian Upholstery Fabric?
A Close Look at Scandinavian-modern Furniture
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.
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024To tell the quality of upholstery fabric, first consider what it's made of. Natural fibers like cotton, wool, linen and silk are often used to produce high-quality fabrics. Some synthetics are also well-made, but quality varies, so conduct some online research to learn about the pros and cons of the specific material. Next, ask the retailer or maker if the fabric has undergone any performance tests and gained any certifications. Scientific tests can be performed to assess how resistant furniture is to staining, fading, pilling and other types of wear and tear. If the fabric has earned certification based on these types of tests, it is generally a good indication that it is quality upholstery. How the fabric is constructed also matters. Those with patterns woven in rather than printed onto them are generally better quality. Reading online reviews can also help you learn more about the quality of upholstery. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of upholstered furniture.
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